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I remember about 12 year ago, I was 10 yrs old. My father had lost his job, and we couldn't buy any food. It was early December, which made it even worse. Christmas was gone, and it went to keep our lights on & buy a little food. It wasn't going to be much any way, but now my mother couldn't pay any bills, and we were about to loose our mobile home. It was all we had, our car had broke down, and my father fell into a deep depression, which ultimately cause him a nervous break down. After working 9.75 years on the dock, and 10 years being the amount of time in-order to collect his pension; for which he had paid for the entire time in employment. Became now unavailable and we got rid of a lot of things... We had beans, Rice & Bread, When we did have food. When we didn't I drank a lot of water.

I remember feeling my world crashing away all around me. My parents fighting a lot, and they had never fought, sure they argued very seldom, but never fought. Though looking back, it was never that us kids got what we wanted, but we had always up until them]n mainly got what we needed. Food, A Place to live & Parents who loved us. I realized then, even if I never got new clothes or new shoes, at least I had some. Yet, my cares I felt did not matter anymore. I was worried about my family. How in this world could we make it? A good family friend & local church gave us a care package on Dec. 24th, it seems to me that we would actually have a Christmas dinner. It was more than I could of hoped for... As they stood outside our door, handed it to my mom, I started to cry. Most of these people I had never seen, or knew. Yet, they cared enough about us, to wade in the snow, and give us this food. I thanked them more, than any one in my life. It was then I understood. I have a Mommy & Daddy, My brother & two sisters. We were a family, We had our place to live, and a little bit of food, and even some Christmas ham! I didn't go hungry the next day... And as I ate, I thought about all of the children and families who didn't. I sat at the table and started to cry again. My mother couldn't quite understand what had come over me. After all, I was eating & we were all together. I looked up at her & told her I really didn't deserve this. She asked me why, and I told her. There are so many right now without, I feel as if they need it more. My mother explained that they were not here, that we would feed them if they were, if we could, but we were here, and to eat & enjoy it. Then afterward... My sister hadn't been able to finish her meal, I don't know why. I was almost afraid she would throw the remains away. Instead she wrapped it up and saved it for lunch the next day. I went to school a few days after. I didn't have boots, but hand me down shoes. They were cracked & broke, I could feel the cold wind on my toes. But I had shoes.

Still to this day, I am thankful for what I have. Our people are out right now Fighting for the way we live our lives in this country. Our brothers & Sister, our friends, family & many more. Are tirelessly producing an effort to keep our lands & those of others, safe. I firmly believe that if we all Simply realized, in our own ways we are blessed. Some of us, blessed that we have what we have... Some of us, to have nothing but to be alive. We only get a limited amount of time on this world. Who is to say we are given the next day? Only God knows this for sure or not.

Please, love your family. Love your parents, love your siblings, love your friends, and even your enemies. Most importantly, Love you're self & Who you are, as a wonderful person. Because you are special.

Learn more about this author, Benjamin Falkenrath.
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