Happy 56, Mom and Dad!
Growing up, I thought I was the richest girl in the world. We had a big two-story house, took a fun vacation to my grandma's farm in Missouri every summer, and got to eat out on our birthdays. We spent uninterrupted time as a family every Monday night. On Sunday evenings my mom would make waffles and we'd sit around and play games ("Masterpiece" was my favorite), laugh and chat.
Looking back on my childhood, I realize now that we weren't very rich monetarily. Our large two-story home where seven people lived was 2,000 square feet. We always went to Missouri for our summer vacation because it was free food and lodging (and of course to see my sweet grandmother). And, we only ate out on our birthdays because Mom and Dad couldn't afford it any other time.
Wow--what a wonderful way of life. What a great lesson that wealth is what's in your heart, not your pocketbook.
I just want to give a shout-out to my parents, Robert and Clarine Downs, who will celebrate 56 years of marriage on March 9. Being raised in their home was like heaven on earth, and I'll be forever grateful for the lessons learned there. Now it's my turn to keep this tradition going with my children!
What are the fond memories you have of your childhood? Did you have a large garden where you picked fruits and vegetables? Did you have a favorite activity that you did with your family? What was the most comfortable chair in your home? Don't delay--write these memories down today!
Looking back on my childhood, I realize now that we weren't very rich monetarily. Our large two-story home where seven people lived was 2,000 square feet. We always went to Missouri for our summer vacation because it was free food and lodging (and of course to see my sweet grandmother). And, we only ate out on our birthdays because Mom and Dad couldn't afford it any other time.
Wow--what a wonderful way of life. What a great lesson that wealth is what's in your heart, not your pocketbook.
I just want to give a shout-out to my parents, Robert and Clarine Downs, who will celebrate 56 years of marriage on March 9. Being raised in their home was like heaven on earth, and I'll be forever grateful for the lessons learned there. Now it's my turn to keep this tradition going with my children!
What are the fond memories you have of your childhood? Did you have a large garden where you picked fruits and vegetables? Did you have a favorite activity that you did with your family? What was the most comfortable chair in your home? Don't delay--write these memories down today!
3 Comments:
Lisa,
That is so great to hear. Children really don't need to have every new toy and gadget out there. They really just want to spend time with their family. Our only vacation is also every summer to go and see Grandma for free food and lodging. But the kids do love it. I have thought of some ideas to scrap like my dad's secret chocolate milk shakes but I haven't yet but I promise that I will soon!! Thanks for the reminder and the inspiration.
Growing up in a big family, I was 1 of 6 kids! We too, took "vacations" that required little or no money. Then, there were the weekly trips to the big park on Sundays after service. Sometimes for a picnic with homemade sandwhiches my Mom would prepare ahead or to feed the ducks with old leftover bread we'd save from the week before. My Dad would play ball with us or read us stories, while we sat by the shade of a tree.
Looking back, by today's standards, we would have been considered poor. But, I always felt I had so much. I am lucky enough to have some of these pictures from my childhood & have included them in a special scrapbook & made for my father for his 80th Birthday, commemorating his life.
The hard part is when your childhood was really horrendous, full of all types of abuse. I am at a loss as to how to handle the journaling for my childhood. I have tried but it becomes too painful to actually write down.
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