Ever think about how hard your parents worked? How they managed? I was thinking about how hard my parents worked..lived and loved while we were growing up. As I look back..my mom was and is quite impressive!
Back then it was OK not to have everything you want..it was OK..to sometimes go without..but the things we went without allowed us to have so many wonderful things and taught me the words APPRECIATION!
I know what the computer scientist and I spend on groceries...I know what I've spent in the past with 3 growing boys and I clearly remember the carloads of groceries my mother would buy... with a family of 9..no there wasn't much soda or ever enough bread even though mom bought 10 loaves a week.
No we didn't have snack pack in our lunches..we ate some scary lunch meat..and fish sticks very affordable...We didn't really care because we knew something special would be happening...
For the money my mom saved each week between clipping coupons and buying the scary lunch meat and definitely not indulging. Each week my mom bought a T-bone steak and re wrapped it and placed it in the freezer.
Mom did that every week! You may think so what but us kids got very excited.....every time she added anther steak....because we knew in 9 weeks for one night the entire family would eat like king and queens with our very own T-bone steak dinner. I cherish that memory.
My dad was a mailman, my mom a clerk for the phone company. We were girl scouts, cheerleaders and football players. Someone in the house always needed something..which required a financial request from mom. There were times she said no and other times she improvised..and sometimes it wasn't the identical required PE shirt..it was a look a like..heck I was a girl scout without a uniform.
Man sometimes I hated it. But when I went to buy my first house on my own..my mom handed me savings bonds fully matured..go cash those in..and decorate your new home..instead of designer jeans growing up..I had new curtains and furniture! Mom wouldn't break that tradition..one days her grandsons will receive theirs. I love our family traditions.
It always seemed like my mom had a calculator close by..sometimes I saw mom and dad talking serious. They followed us around and made sure we shut off the lights..rarely was there ever any leftovers. We weren't allowed to wash one shirt in the washing machine..If you were going to start the washer it better be full of clothes and you better never let mom catch you fluffing a shirt.
See my childhood was filled with very special occasions and not constant indulgence..we always got most of what we asked for for Christmas and in our household family vacations were always a priority. My parents went away by themselves another priority...we never really went without..we had a roof, food, school and family but most of all love.
Ever wonder how a family of 9 made it in the 70's? My mom swore by one thing regardless of what financial crisis was going on..my mom always made sure and put aside 15% to 20% of their earnings for a rainy day even if it meant us kids eating scary lunch meat or not get every little wish and dream fulfilled!
Boy my parents worked hard and I am thankful..because growing up..they taught me hard work never killed anyone! Every time I see a T-Bone or even see the words savings bonds....I smile..and am reminded....I know one thing..I didn't really go without...sometimes we just had to wait!
