"You'll be grateful for it someday."
My grandmother said that more times than I can count. She lived through the Great Depression. (From a century ago, not whatever current garbage.) So I guess she had to accept a lot of crap.
I don't know. My great grandparents seemed to be doing pretty well, as far as I can tell from going through the old house. Fine China (now stolen), a crystal chandelier (my dad has that), a piano with real ivory keys, jewelry (mostly stolen now), furs (yup, also recently stolen). [Why didn't my Aunt let anyone sell some of this stuff? Well, a thief sold plenty! The police 👮♂️👮♀️ caught one guy. He's declaring insanity. Trial pending. 🙄]
Anyway. What terrified me was that ominous one day. Like, just how far would I have to fall to be grateful for an itchy sweater that didn't fit over my, then, C cups (I'm wayyyy beyond that now, oh my, Victoria Secret doesn't even carry my size- just saying)? And I don't mean slightly itchy. I mean I freaked out and genuinely tried to rip off my skin. Chicken pox itched less. I could not calm down. It's terrifying to think I could be grateful for such a horrifying experience. Just how bad is life expected to get??? 🥺😵
Navigating a childhood where you are not seen, or heard, or understood is a heart-breakingly terrible thing.
ReplyDeleteI look at it as you will be grateful to have experienced (whatever it was) someday.
ReplyDeleteDonna: Click for my 2025 A-Z Blog
So many trite sayings like that from our older relatives! I try to be mindful not to repeat them to my children, now adults.
ReplyDeleteMy mother-in-law died in the summer and we are still trying to clean out her things. I'm wondering if I've said those words, "You will be grateful one day" to our kids!
ReplyDelete