I've been lucky... never had to do without... then again, I racked up a lot of debt in the meantime, so I probably should have. I'm like you, I don't like to ask for help. I almost broke down when my parents lent me money last year, but I was glad... I was drowning and they threw out a life line. They haven't held it over my head at all but I hold it over my own head... I hate that I had to borrow from them... and I make sure to let them know that I am still on schedule to pay them back when I said I would.

Your mom sounds like a great lady. I know she certainly raised a great son. Great post Bendigo!

I have been lucky to, I don't recall ever having to 'do without' when I was a kid. I was very blessed.
Now, once I got out on my own, and was single in my 20's, I did without for a while...when I visited my parents, I used to try to push out my belly so they wouldn't see how thin I had become.
But it makes you stronger, makes you realize that you can survive.
God bless you!

And you think you can't write. Get real man. Some of these posts could be fleshed out and talked about in front of live audiences. That's how good they are.

Kristy...The important thing was that you were wise enough to accept the help...I'm sure you will pay them back too!
Thanks, my mom is a pretty great lady :) (the great son..hmmm maybe.lol)

Joe...I had to laugh at the pushed out belly...It's crazy what we will do to avoid the concerned looks..

Ian...Thank you sir...for now I think maybe we will keep em in the blogosphere...lol... Thanks for letting me drop my opinion on your site...Very Much Appreciated !

Visiting from over Ian's way...

Beautifully written and Ian is right (but don't tell him I said that. Woudn't want it to go to his head or anything).

While Pride, Ego and Shame at times causes us to learn lessons with much more difficulty than need be, it also shapes us into the adults we have become. They are a bittersweet trio, are they not?

You found my blog...so I had to go snooping and find yours. I'm now a follower! Like your blog very much.

Humble beginnings help us to develop lifelong skills that enable us to adapt to hard times as they come along in future years. I credit my difficult childhood with making me who I am. It has allowed me to appreciate all that I have now. It also taught me to take care of what I have. Today I see too many privileged kids seeking quick and easy gratification. They never learn those basic values.

Reading this makes me think that I am very lucky. Very lucky to have all the stuff I have. Had I been in the same situation as you, I'm pretty sure I would have done the same thing. I would've hid my difficulties out of pride and if I was confronted to the situation tomorrow, I'd do it anyway. Pride can be harmful, but it's so hard to go over it. It takes a lot of strength. I don't like asking for help at all, because I feel in debt of that person; I feel like I owe her. Your story makes me think, really. :P

And I'm not sure the Santa Barbara pictures are doing me any good, because I want to quit everything here and hop on a plane, a bus, a train, or whatever that's going to take me there!! ;)

Daffy...Thanks...(promise I won't tell) totally agree bittersweet indeed.

Momma Fargo...Well thanks for following...I enjoyed your post very much:)

Rae...you hit the nail on the head. priveleged kids do seem to lack those core values more often. It's sad really when you think of what great people so many of them are, and sadly how much better they could have been.

Sarah...Just remember that sometimes it's ok to want to handle it all on your own, but you have to get to that point where you know a helping hand is only gonna benefit. I might have a few more pics to put up on the Santa Barbara trip too...Some better full size pics at that. I found a couple of the coast line that were breathtaking, and I'm gonna try and enlarge them just a little bit.

Nice post. I learned a couple of these lessons in my very late... late 30's. It's unreal how going without can build character. In the U.S., people are used to getting everything they want immediately, so it's no wonder we're in the mess we currently are.

Everyone I knew growing up was familiar with layaway. Everyone used to put 20% minimum down when buying a house, and going out to eat was a special treat. Heck.. I only recently fully embraced my old man's words of wisdom he constantly pounded into my head as a kid..... "DEBT is Bad". Better late than never right?

You've got a great blog here. Thanks for stopping by mine!

Darrin...Agreed...Layaway...whatever happened to that? I remember 20% being the minimum they would ask for on the house too....great points...

Thanks for stopping by..I enjoyed your blog...good stuff going on over there for sure.

You are a wise man. I am going through some of what you once had to myself right now. Not going to complain because we aren't going hungry, but I know what pride can do as well: it can make me starve :)

And that's never going to happen you hear me?? I like food too damned much!

Jokes aside, I think what you are talking about here is important and true. Most people who love you WANT to help, so if you need it once in a while, let them.

xoxo

You're so lucky to have such great parents! As parents, the best thing we can do it make sure that our children feel loved....

Wow, that is the first thing I have to say. I had a similar childhood but a little more lenient than yours when it came to chores. I had an gas powered mower. =)

But really reading this post I walk away with great advice. I know during earlier relationships I tended to use my pride as a shield but now as a father of two I will keep your words with me and never allow my family to suffer because of my own ego. Thank you!

My Thoughts

I completely understand why I blog now..it's cause all of you guys just get it...How friggin cool is that...