Prosperity can mean so many things. I look back at my ancestors and see that some had large estates when they died, and then others who had almost nothing. I see deeds for large plots of land being bought and sold, and others who rented or even lived with relatives their entire lives. I see families with many, many children and others who have no children. I see families who traveled over the ocean or along wagon trails, and then there are those who never left the county where they were born. But, I would bet that they all felt prosperous in their own way.
My dad's sister, May Ruth, had a great way of telling stories and sharing insight into her life. Here is one example.
As I read through this memory of my aunt, I think about how "prosperous" I really am. The only time I have ever been without electricity (including heating and air conditioning, heated water, lights, power for anything I owned) was during a storm, when we had to "do without" for a few minutes, or maybe even a day. I never had to go out to the cistern, well, creek or spring with a bucket to bring water into the house so I could have something to drink, or wash dishes, or bathe. I have used an outhouse - but it was only a few times and I am grateful that I do not have to use one all the time! And no phone?? My cell phone is my lifeline! It is always with me and I depend on it for driving directions, reminders, my calendar, contacts, photos, important documents, genealogy research, and immediate access to anyone in the world!
But, still, sometimes, I feel that I don't have enough. I "need" new clothes, or a new TV, or a new laptop, or some other gadget. It is important for me to understand just how much prosperity I really have. My life is full and very easy. I have all I need. I have a wonderful family, home and life. Prosperity has found me and I am grateful.
'TIl Next Time!
#52Ancestors
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| Aubrey Springer Family - May Ruth is standing in the back next to my dad |
My dad's sister, May Ruth, had a great way of telling stories and sharing insight into her life. Here is one example.
So, I moved out to Rotan in 1940 and lived there from 1940 until 1968. And I hate to say, but it was the most miserable years of my life. It’s not that I didn’t have everything I needed, but I had to work harder than I ever did before I ever married. Life on the farm was just work. That’s all it was: chopping cotton, pulling cotton, heading maize, pulling corn and everything that a hired hand would do, because we didn’t have the money to hire it done. And besides that, we moved into a house. And out there we didn’t have electricity. We didn’t have running water or indoor toilet. We didn’t have a telephone. And we drew water out of the cistern and put in a big iron wash pot and heated it to wash clothes with a rub board. We didn’t have a washing machine or anything like that. I washed on a rub board. I was still young and couldn’t come back and see my family.And this was just 80 years ago! No electricity, no running water, no indoor toilet, no telephone... But, did you catch it? It’s not that I didn’t have everything I needed. Even in the midst of this difficult work-filled life, she felt like she had Prosperity - all that she needed!
As I read through this memory of my aunt, I think about how "prosperous" I really am. The only time I have ever been without electricity (including heating and air conditioning, heated water, lights, power for anything I owned) was during a storm, when we had to "do without" for a few minutes, or maybe even a day. I never had to go out to the cistern, well, creek or spring with a bucket to bring water into the house so I could have something to drink, or wash dishes, or bathe. I have used an outhouse - but it was only a few times and I am grateful that I do not have to use one all the time! And no phone?? My cell phone is my lifeline! It is always with me and I depend on it for driving directions, reminders, my calendar, contacts, photos, important documents, genealogy research, and immediate access to anyone in the world!
But, still, sometimes, I feel that I don't have enough. I "need" new clothes, or a new TV, or a new laptop, or some other gadget. It is important for me to understand just how much prosperity I really have. My life is full and very easy. I have all I need. I have a wonderful family, home and life. Prosperity has found me and I am grateful.
'TIl Next Time!
#52Ancestors
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