I am part of a family of three boys and I am the oldest of the three. We grew up with little in the house, though my mother and father reminded me often prior to their divorce that we had a lot. I can say my father and mother tried their best always to provide everything their kids ever wanted and needed. My friends and older family members seemed to be the “haves” and we the “have nots”. I am not complaining at all and I can say I grew up a happy well-adjusted child. I really did have most everything I could want. I can say a lot of this was due to the kindness of others and how hard my own parents worked for us kids.
To cut corners and find ways to provide, my family readily accepted hand me downs from family and friends. Having hand me down clothes from my older cousin who grew like a tree helped my family out greatly. My aunt took great care in my cousin’s clothes so that when he grew out of them, I had something to wear that was nearly brand new and always in current fashion. My mother continued this tradition for my two brothers as my clothes were handed down as well. Of course we occasionally got new clothes, but it meant we needed to buy less new items. Toys, games and other house held were also passed along as well. Many items would change hands from one family member or friend to another. Great care for personal items was always taken because once the item might become useless in household, another house could use it.
Even more importantly, this taught my brothers and I respect for personal and borrowed property. Many “modern” families in this current generation have little to no respect for others property and their own property. Some of my favorite shows such as “The Simpsons” display this attitude. Items are borrowed and never returned or destroyed by the borrower. Personal items are often thrown about the house by irreverent children and permissive parents. Items are broken with no thought of ownership or how to replace them. No thought of charity for those around them seems to exist. “I can just buy another” and “Who cares?” seems to be the mantra.
I feel lucky to have grown up a generation earlier. I know I could not have survived and enjoyed my boyhood years without learning this lesson in respect. I strive to teach my children this lesson, happy to accept and give out hand me downs as needed. I hope this type of charity never goes out of fashion.
