I saw someone pose the above question on Facebook this past week and it got me to thinking. Growing up in a preacher and teacher’s family with 4 children was something that I treasure. I had all that I needed and more. We didn’t have a lot of extras but what we did have was plenty. My parents raised us with a sense of responsibility and stewardship for our environment and with a respect for all. I can’t think of much better principles, can you?

But the above question got me thinking. What was a luxury to me as a youngster? Definitely pop (or soda depending on where you hail from). We rarely had it in the house and when we did it was for a special occasion. I distinctly remember having it when we had a babysitter. Of course we did not get an entire can to ourselves but I think we shared two cans between the four of us. My sister has a better memory about stuff like this so she might correct me.

I wasn’t a real doll lover but I do remember kind of wishing I had a Barbie doll. I never did have one and when my friends had them I kind of remember being a little bit envious. But I did have Wuzzy my teddy bear and he was the perfect confidant.

We didn’t go out to eat much at all. Eating out was a potluck at church and those were usually pretty wonderful. Everyone always brings their best to the church potluck and that was typical in the small churches that my dad served. Pies, casseroles, breads — I have fond memories of those. Eating out in a restaurant was reserved for only the very special days and those were rare.

We did travel a bit and camped in tents or a borrowed trailer and I have great memories of those experiences. I didn’t stay in a hotel until high school and that was obviously a luxury.

One last memory – birthdays were a big deal for us and my mom always went all out as I have shared before. We got to choose our meal and the luxury was to have jello with mandarin oranges in it. The best treat was when it had whipped cream on top of it. Yummy. I might need to buy some jello soon and recreate that memory.

I would love to hear from my readers what you thought was a luxury when you were younger. I am sure we have a lot of the same memories and would love to read what you come up with. Leave me a comment in the comment section and Comment for a Cause for Ukranian Red Cross.