Appreciation for comforts of life

[Phyllis Jean]

When it is so miserably hot outside, I am so thankful for air conditioning. I am thankful for indoor plumbing, electricity, and all the other little things we sometimes take for granted.

Up until age 18 when I moved away from home, seven of us lived in a three room shack, and a path to the outhouse. We had no running water, no telephone, and heated with a big coal stove. My dad worked very hard and I can't ever remember a hungry day. He would not accept any type of charity. My Mom canned all summer so we would have food in the Winter. We had a huge garden and tobacco crop.

Those of us that were raised in that manner really do appreciate all the modern conveniences. I'm speaking of an automatic washer and dryer, electric stove, dishwasher, TV. Refrigerator, air conditioning, and most of all indoor plumbing.

Can anyone relate to what I am saying? I just wanted to express my thoughts on this. And Oh Yes, I am so thankful for the wonderful heart surgeons out there. Without them I would be dead by now.

I am 62 years old and when I think back to those times, I am so thankful and grateful that my life is so easy due to all these modern conveniences.

Thanks for letting me bend your ear. Sincerely, Phyllis

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

I can relate

I can relate

I lived in a 3 beroom house, but was the only girl, so I got my own room and my 4 brothers had a small bedroom with 2 bunkbeds in it! Looked like barracks.

But what I really wanted to say was got home from work yesterday to a power outage and my 12 yr. old daughter was going nuts because she "couldn't find anything to do" without electricity and "I'm sooooo bored!" I couldn't believe her and then said, when I was your age, I didn't have color TV or Nintendo, no cable TV, no computers, etc. We had books and board games and cards.

Our kids are sooooooo too hooked on electronics!

 

[Rich]

Phyllis,
I just turned 67 a week or so ago, beleive me I can remember days like that.
I see the same things Peggy mentioned in some of my grandchildren.
But you know what, even with all the great things we have now, some parts of our lives were much better back then.
And Phyllis my father and his family were all from the Frankfort area, I still have a lot of extended family down there. I know how they had to live back then.
Rich

 

[geebee]

Thanks for reminding us how great things really are. I think we get sidetracked too often.

I grew up in 3 rooms on the first floor of a 2 family house. With 4 kids, we were very crowded. My parents slept in the living room on a fold out couch. We did have indoor plumbing and electricity so, in retrospect, it was OK. We never had luxuries but we always had 3 meals and occasional treats. Birthdays were alway celebrated and Christmas was special even when gifts were sparse.

When I was 14, we moved to a WHOLE HOUSE !!!!! It was heaven on earth and only across the street but we thought we were in a mansion. I went back to see that house, not all that long ago, and it really is a bit of a "shack" but it was filled with lots of love.

I guess we all know the importance of love.