Letting it go

I cleaned out my kids rooms and anticipated a bit of whining, begging and upset from removing so much. But instead I got happy playing noises, clean rooms and laughter. The baby can play in the bedrooms now. They have been sleeping in a fort for a week and they have voluntarily picked up their toys before getting out a new one. I am almost amazed! Then I started thinking... I lived in a 1930's home several years ago and was amazed at the lack of storage. Before that, we lived in a home built in the 1950s. It, too, lacked storage. But we were only the second owners of that '50s home. The first owners raised 3 daughters in that 2 bedroom, one bathroom house! I remember, as a middle child of 3 girls, asking "HOW!?" Now I get it... They didn't have the STUFF! I could hear my grandmother, "Shopping was a treat! A time to get dressed up and go 'downtown'. It was an event. Now a days, people throw on the nastiest garb they have to run into Walmart." So, here's my revelation... Each generation takes pride in providing their children with what they never had. Bigger, better things than they grew up with. My dad was raised in what is now the slums of Ft. Worth, a small house with little money. He then provided for me a much bigger house in the country and here I am trying to 'outdo' whatI had. So here's my chance. I will provide my kids with something I didn't have, but it won't be bigger. It will, however, be better. I will be home to nurture my kids. Their dad won't have to work overtime to buy them the latest and greatest toys, instead he will be taking them to campouts and car shows. We will enjoy family time, vacations, and making memories. What do you remember from childhood? The best memories? Was it getting a toy or the time you spent with a special loved one?