I don’t have a lot. But I have enough. I grew up in a large family of Nine. Because there were so many of us, things had to be shared and money was usually tight.
My parents couldn’t buy all the accessories and stuff for all of us. But we had the basics. I had a bed, clothes, hot and cold shower, food, a home, and most importantly, I had a family. A family who loved me and supported me with everything I did. And I appreciated everything that I had. Even though my parents couldn’t give me everything, they gave me what I needed.
When I was little, I was just like any regular kid. I watched movies, played games, and loved spending time outside with my siblings and neighbours, went to a boarding school. Just like most kids, if my friend had something cool, I wanted it too. Little kids are selfish. If they see something they want, they will beg for it until they get it. I didn’t beg a whole lot because I knew my parents didn’t like it.
Once they said no, all the begging in the world couldn’t change their minds. So instead of begging, my birthday and Christmas lists would just be long and filled with all the stuff I thought was cool and what I needed. Except every birthday and Christmas, I would maybe get one of those cool things( which included over sized dress that I can wear for 3 more Christmas cos my parents weren’t sure of being able to another dress….Smiles) and all my other presents would be books, or something else that would be useful in life; but I didn’t realise it’s importance until much later on.
My relationships with friends also changed going into secondary school. In elementary school, I had some good friends. But my friends were always changing as we grew older. Going into the university, I really started making good, solid friendships with people and growing closer with others. This really made an impact on me and allowed me to appreciate the power of friendship in my life.
Whether I want it to or not, life goes on. People die, others are born. Some people have it better than others but everyone should have that one thing that they appreciate. Whether it is family, friends, an education, or a roof over your head, it’s important to appreciate the things you have and not worry about what you don’t have. I have really learned this lesson over the years and now that I have started to actually apply it to my life, I have found that I am more happy and more appreciative of things that I never thought I would be.
People all around the world are living in poverty. People are dying of hunger; they do not have homes, jobs, or sometimes even a family. But it always seems that people who seem to have nothing, have something that they appreciate. There is that one special thing that makes them happy.
I could go for hours listing the things that I appreciate the most. Things like family, friends, an education, and a house that I can come home to. Everybody appreciates these kind of things because we need them. But I could not appreciate any of these things without my parents. They are the people I appreciate the most despite their troubles at times.
Very Humbling, thank you! This is just what I needed today, as my kids are driving me nuts (lol gotta love um) … Really tho, I grew up in a very close family with a tight cash flow as well, and you’re so right, appreciation is key, no matter how little or how much ‘stuff’ you have. Love this post! 🙂
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Yes Didi, appreciation is always important. Sometimes the little things we neglect and feel is not worth appreciating are the ones with the bigger glory and treasures hidden inside. Those treasures can only be accessed when we appreciate and show gratitude. Your kids would come to appreciate you someday, you just keep doing what you are doing and keep showing them love. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
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Your welcome! And so very right! 🙂
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Great post, Kally! You’re a very good person!
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Thank you for appreciating me but my name is Whitney not Kally. Thank you for Dropping by and commenting
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Sorry for the mistake 😔
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No problem
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Parents are only loyal to their children
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Smiles….This goes beyond being loyal. Thank you for dropping by.
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Welcome
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I had alot of the same experiences.
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Awwww, that’s nice to know. Thank you for commenting
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Loved your post Whitney. Growing up in the 1970s, we didnt have much money too but we had a lot of love. We knew our parents genuinely loved and cared for us- we still do !
Susie
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Thank you Susieshy45. Nothing warms the heart like the feeling of knowing you are loved especially by ones parents. Nice to have you comment
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Call me Susie- it makes me feel warm too, if friends call me Susie.
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From now on its Susie I shall call you. Thank you
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Sounds like they did there job as role models. Something we are lacking today and need more of. Thanks for sharing.
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Yes they did. Even though we never saw it until we were much grown up. Thank you for commenting
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I just loved it. It was wonderful!
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Thank you dear always.
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You are always welcome!
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What a lovely post, Whitney! Nothing can beat that parental love. What a lucky young lady your daughter is to have a mother who feeds her with positivity and a healthy self-esteem. Which you obviously got from your parents as well. Thank you, also for reading my blog. I greatly appreciate it.
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Thank you Cherylfoston. My parents weren’t the best to the world but they were good enough for us. That is the legacy I am following. Our children needs to know they are loved with all their flaws. They need to know that they don’t need to be perfect and we will always stand by them. Thank you for dropping by.
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You’re welcome! None of us are seen as the best to the world. It is those individuals that matter to us, be it family or friends and how they are treated by us that truly matters. And it is just Cheryl. 🙂 Have a great week ahead!
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Thanks Cheryl and yes you are right but that doesn’t change the fact that there is and will always be pressure from society, friends and including family for us to be perfect or be the best. Everyone of us will face this pressure at some point in our lives. Thank you for commenting.
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🙂 Okay, we probably can go on and on about this topic, but I will digress. However, I will say we can only be the best human beings we can be regardless what family, friends or society tries to pressure us with. We must be happy with ourselves and who we are as a person. That to me is all that really matters. We have different outlooks on this and that is okay, because we all are entitled to our opinion. That’s what makes life interesting hearing others thoughts. Blessings to you!
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Yes, Life is too short to waste any amount of time on wondering what other people think about us. In the first place, if they had better things going on in their lives, they wouldn’t have the time to sit around and talk about us. What’s important to me is not others’ opinions of me, but what’s important to me is my opinion of myself. Thank you Cheryl for that lovely point
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🙂 Exactly! What you think about yourself is all that matters.
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Yes dear that’s all that matters. Have a great day.
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This is awesome! family is very important especially parents.
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Yes Shelly family is everything and will always be. Thank you for stopping by
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You’re welcome
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https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsI love your thoughts. I am raising seven kids and it is impossible to give them everything that smaller families have. Stuff is not what matters. Love and time matter!
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You are doing a great job and i pray the good Lord will give you the grace to be there for everyone of them. Keep up the good work and thank you very much for stopping by and sharing with us.
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Thanks! Here’s my blog about my life,
http://www.myamazingmetamorphosis.com
I would love to know what you think and get some feedback!
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I will check it out right away and get back to you. Thank you very much.
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