When I first told my mom that I had to have that doll and how important it was to me, she replied, "You have so many dolls already." She failed to see the social/developmental benefits owning "the doll" will give to her 10 year old little girl. Instead, she reminded me how I always get excited about owning a new toy, pleading to get it, promising to take care of it, and a few days later, I lose the excitement I once had for it. She was right. But still, I promised that this time, it's different.
So saved for it, I did! I begged to be given chores in exchange for money that would go towards my precious doll, my future best friend. It took me an eternity, a whole month!
Looking back, I am so thankful that my mom had the wisdom to do what she did when I was 10 years old. She taught me so much at such a young age, a very impressionable time in my life. At the time, I didn't know I was learning significant life lessons that would influence me the rest of my life.
1. I learned that money didn't grow on trees--I thought all my mom (a single parent) had to do was go to the machine whenever we wanted a toy and she can take out as much as she wanted, as much as I wanted.
2. I learned the importance of hard work--If it took me a month to save up for a doll, I began to realize how much hard work my mom did to provide for us (to feed us, clothe us, and have a roof over us). My mom is my superhero.
3. I learned to appreciate and care for my things--It's amazing how I valued "the doll" of all the dolls I owned. There's something about working hard for it that made me appreciate it more. That doll stayed with me for a long time. I finally donated it when we had a toy drive in college.
4. I learned that working hard for something and giving it your best, develops a sense of pride, a sense of accomplishment within you.
These lessons followed me through college while putting myself through nursing school. Today, it continues to follow me as a wife and a mother.
- Proverbs 22:17 NIV
[Sayings of the Wise] Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
- Proverbs 19:20 NAS
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.
As I was about to get into the car, I noticed a box in our stroller's storage basket. It was a box of Crest Teeth Whitening that costs about $30 that I know I didn't pay for. When I asked LJ if he put the box in the storage, he just looked at me like he didn't know what I was talking about. I guess I must have had a worried look on my face when I said, "Oh no!" As I was pushing the heavy stroller back to Target, LJ asked me if I was mad at him. I gave my son a big hug and gently told him, "Oh no baby, Mama is not mad at you". Off to guest services we went.
As I explained to a young man what happened, I noticed that people were looking at me. As I handed the box back, an elderly woman looked at me and said, "I can't believe that you returned back in here with your two boys when you were already out there with the box." I nicely told her, "I didn't pay for it, ma'am". There was another woman who went up to me smiling and said, "That was a wonderful thing you did and a wonderful thing for your boys to witness even though they're young.
- Psalms 32:8 NIV
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
- Psalms 86:11 NIV
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
LUCAS' First Bike Ride With The Family!
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