Judging by your responses, I seem to be quite unpopular to many of you so let me explain. My parents were not poor but not wealthy either and money was always tight. At home, and that is in the 50's and 60's , we had to eat what was on our plate, none of that business of: " What do you want to eat?". Christmas was just a couple of presents, not a toy shop full, no central heating then but another jumper in a not super heated house. We were taught the value of money and the discipline of work. I am grateful to my parents for a decent up bringing by not wasting food, energies and resources. Now maybe you understand my personality better.
I was brought up in a 2 bedroom cottage with both parents and 5 siblings. My dad worked and mum was a housewife. When other kids in the street got bikes for Christmas, we got very little. But we were happy. Because we shared.
We all started work in our early years, I was 7 years old when I got my first out of school job. We all pitched in with our wages to make running the house easier for our parents.
I know what it is like not to have.
That is why it makes me feel so good to be able to let my kids have my house in Denmark for a week or two when I go on holiday. We also share it with Warmshower guests, Couchsurfers and the occasional touring cyclist we drag off the road in the summer as they cycle past.
The fact that you had it tough in the 70s just shows me that you should try and make it easier for as many people as you can now. Helping other people out is the easiest and most rewarding thing I can think of and it usually takes no effort.
Has anyone ever told you that you have become your father.
