This economy. I don't know anyone who hasn't been affected by it. Just got off the phone with my sister who told me they've been cutting back and she's grateful for the opportunity to teach her kid's a thing or two. Note: Or a 1,000...those kids are no dummies! Anyway, we're in the same boat as everyone else, and we've passed along that information to our kids.
This is a picture of my sweet, grown up Mallory. I went to Back to School night the other night to learn more about what she has in store for this year. And boy, they have more to manage than I ever did in high school. When I went to sit down for her Theatre spiel, I noticed on the white board that there was a $22 fee due for her elective extras that we needed to pay for. Well, at this point, high school has cost me $35 for a student body card, $40 for her culinary elective, around $40 for her PE mandatory uniform, $60 something for the yearbook. Had to buy a swim cap also for PE. And all those spiral notebooks I purchased...out the window. They have to use composition books instead along with 5,000 other supplies. But still, I wondered why Mallory hadn't asked me to write the check for that one. I mean, I had signed a million pieces of paper, written a ton of checks, and now attended 8 classes worth of back to school night.
But this stuck with me. This $22 fee. So today, when I remembered, I asked her to remind me that we needed to write the check for this class, it was due soon. But she said we didn't need to. But why? Then how? Because she'd already paid for it. With her own money. Because that's what loving someone is. Just lightening their load and not even telling them about it. Just doing it and not expecting anything in return.
That's Mallory in a nutshell. And while many of us are feeling the pinch of a tighter budget, I'm guessing there are lots of blessings that get squeezed out of it as well, so we should be grateful. Hard times can bring out the best in us, even, or especially, our children.
Love you, Mal.
That's Mallory in a nutshell. And while many of us are feeling the pinch of a tighter budget, I'm guessing there are lots of blessings that get squeezed out of it as well, so we should be grateful. Hard times can bring out the best in us, even, or especially, our children.
Love you, Mal.
6 comments:
What a great daughter. Impressive! :)
I can't believe that! I mean, I can, because that is so something Mal would do. She is such a sweetheart. You've raised such thoughtful kids. How do you do it? And she looks gorgeous in that picture BTW.
So, what are you going to do w/the extra $22? Lunch? Just kidding. I know $22 doesn't even make a dent in the type of lunches you eat...
I'm catching up on blogs this afternoon and between this post and your sister's post, my heart is completely melted.
Mal is a)adorable!, b) amazing! (don't know any teenager that has paid for their class), and c) class act! You and Dave must be something right as parents.
I paid $217 in fees for S and the same for N! Can you imagine?! I love that Mal did that without even a word. That is awesome, and I'm so glad you shared it. She and Sarah are two peas in a pod that way. Love those girls.
P.S. I love that photo!
Mallory looks darling. And what a sweet thing to do. She is just full of delightful surprises, as are your other two children. Do you sell your secret? These blogs just turn me to mush.
Wow, what maturity! I know how you feel with all the school fees, and the shopping lists a mile long for supplies... sometimes I wonder if private school would be cheaper!
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