Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It makes me think of my dad and all of the wonderful blessings he gave me. He didn't give me an abundance of material things. He was a schoolteacher and principal from 1923 until 1971. I am one of 8 children and my mom was a stay at home mom until I was in the ninth grade. We didn't have a lot of money but we never considered ourselves poor. Looking back, I think we might have been. I don't remember a lot of new things around our house but I do remember a lot of hand me downs and re-purposed items.
My dad taught me that there is always enough to share with someone in need. I remember "strangers" being welcomed to our table for meals. If possible, they left with a coat or pair of pants. I remember learning that not everybody wants a "handout" but a "hand up".
My dad taught me that everybody could learn. I watched him stay after school and explain algebra to one student so many times that I knew how to do it and I was way too young for it. That student came up to me at my dad's funeral and asked if I remembered him. He is a contractor with his own business. He told me my dad changed his life. He thought he was too dumb to work with anything that had to do with numbers. My dad changed his mind.
My dad taught me to persevere. I am probably the most stubborn woman you will ever meet. I was taught by the most stubborn man I ever met. Tell me I can't do something and I will prove you wrong.
My dad taught me that you should always love your spouse. He surely loved my mom.
My dad was frugal to a fault. He could squeeze a nickel until it hollered. He never wasted money and if you wanted something, you asked mama.
Mother also blessed me. She is the handiest person I know. I learned to do anything from her. I think that is why I can fix about anything and learn to do about anything. My mama could make a meal for ten out of a potato and a pound of hamburger.
I learned to love children from my mother. There were always children around her. All of us were there and at least one or two friends for each child. She always said she had rather all of us be there than all of us are somewhere she wasn't. She taught us as she cooked, gardened, cleaned, shopped, and went on with her daily routine. I think that is why we have those everyday life skills and old time everyday common sense.
I look at my life now and think how different it might be if I had been born to different parents. I think about how my parents influenced the way I parented my children. I hope my children feel about me the way I feel about my parents. I hope they hold the special memories I hold.
I have been extremely blessed in my life. Your children are a huge blessing to me. They fill my heart with joy each morning. Their hugs and kisses keep me overjoyed throughout the day. I have the best and happiest job around. Thank you for sharing your blessings with me.
Princess Lipscomb