Riches
By Lettie • August 27, 2020
The summer before my 10th birthday my father and mother moved our family of nine children to a farm! We had always lived in a small city, in the house my dad bought from my grandparents. But he wanted fresh air, healthy food and lots of room for his children to play. He'd worked multiple jobs at a time and saved for many years...and could finally afford a place in the countryside. Now a minor concern: the house had no running water or electricity. But there were 150 acres to run around in, walk through the woods in, swim a creek in, and otherwise yell, sing, giggle and laugh in every day!
That first year my dad put in electricity, because my mom flat-out announced, "I won't have kerosene lamps with children running around!" Indoor plumbing had to wait another year (an outhouse came with the property). Different friends, who my dad knew from work, asked if he'd take their large dogs who couldn't run free in the city. So we all now played with a big tawny boxer and a sporty German Shorthaired Pointer, who we simply named Billy and Molly. Absolutely all our clothes were hand-me-downs, bananas and oranges were "exotic" fruit that we'd see at holidays, and there was ONE birthday party a year! We'd take turns...once every 10 years a child would have his/her own party!
We thought we were rich. My mother was always singing, yelling, hugging, or praying. And she told us we were blessed with plenty! To this day, each of my siblings remember those years as a an abundance of chores, laughter, arguing, making peace, and playing together! Every challenge was a game to outwit, and any failure was chance to learn. Money was so scarce, but joy was everywhere.
PREVIOUS STORY NEXT STORY SHARE YOUR STORY
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
This Mother Bear Doing Her Best To Get Her Cubs Across The Road
Professor Shares The Best True Excuse A Student Used For Missing An Assignment
Man On Walk Shares Wholesome Photos Of Dogs Posing For Group Photo On Bridge
'I Feel Loved Every Single Day': Daughter Pens Heartfelt Thank You For Adoptive Parents
The Obituary Of Matt Groening's Mother Explains The Origins Of The Simpsons
This Dog Hiding Blueberries In His Mouth Is Going To Make You Laugh
Shaquille O'Neal Buys Engagement Ring For Random Store Customer
This Conversation Between A Pregnant Woman And Man At A Bus Stop Will Bring You To Tears
Husband Roasts Wife For Her Overuse Of Lip Stick
First Date Fail! Nervous Raccoon Tries To Make A Move On The Cat