Giving
As some of you may know, my mother was a single mom of three from the time I was two-ish years old. We did not have money, at times she would work two jobs while struggling to get by. My mom worked hard to keep us off of welfare, although we did receive food stamps and government assistance with healthcare. I’ve learned a few things from my upbring, here is a short list:
- You can ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS run expensive things (iPods, cameras, phones) you own into the ground before you need to buy something new.
- You will always want things you couldn’t have when you were little and you will indullllllge (candy, clothing, shoes).
- You will remember certain things from your childhood that are sad but will remind you why you need to give what you can.
The last point is the most important. I wish I could remember how old I was but one Thanksgiving someone dropped a box of food on our porch with food for the holiday inside. We don’t know who did it but the slip inside said “Happy Thanksgiving Kim” (Kim is my mom). And she cried. I guess I didn’t understand why she was crying then but I do now. She was happy she could feed us for the holiday, which when I think about it, is heartbreaking. So, if you have the opportunity to donate a few cans of beans or some boxes of pasta for a food drive, please do. There’s another little girl out there who won’t understand the gesture but will appreciate it so much many years later.
My exact thoughts and experience. :)
