This is a doll blog.
But...
Dolls are not the only things I care about.
I know ALL of you understand that.
We are more than doll collectors.
We, unlike our plastic counter parts, are human.
Thinking, feeling, moving, and shaking human beings.
(^_^)
I was raised in Ohio and our family was below the poverty line.
Many of my memories lay scattered along the banks of the Ohio River.
In recent years, Ohio, (and many other places) have become extremely impoverished.
My mom did everything she could with my grandma to raise my brother and I right.
Because of two exceptional women we were raised above our "poverty".
When you ask of my memorable moments, family is at the center of SO much of those memories.
That is why I am donating to the following cause...
When we barely had food to eat, and welfare was just keeping us afloat it was a time to celebrate during holidays like thanksgiving.
We ate and enjoyed the company of one another with a grateful heart.
I doubt I'm the only one who wishes the strong family bonding of a holiday gone right could last all year.
In closing, what I am trying to say is that when you have very little, or sometimes nothing, it is the strong bonding of family that gets you through and allows you to rise above circumstance.
I'm not perfect, but statistically, I should be on welfare, with 1 or more kids, strung out on drugs.
Sadly, I know this to have been the fate of other kids, in my same situation that were my friends and schoolmates.
Instead, I sit back taking stock of my life thus far, and am thankful that I had a family to bond with even through the toughest times.
It is amazing what family can do for one's perspective, even in just a Thanksgiving dinner with one another.
Even if you can only give a dollar, that is one dollar closer to the goal.
Thank you for reading this.
Sending love to each of you...
-Cat of A Doll Affinity
Oh Kat, you got me all emotional here! When I was growing up I didn't have a lot. I even told my mom I never felt poor until a few things happen in my teenage years. Sometimes if you didn't have family, you had the strong support from your community. Now the support from the community is disappearing day by day! If I have any extra money I will donate to the cause. Thank you for sharing Honeybun!
ReplyDeleteI cannot lie, while writing this post, my emotions started getting me all choked up. I didn't realize I was considered poor until I was around 11 and kids made fun of me for being a "welfare" kid. Stuff like that is devastating. Not all parents abuse the system, but unfortunately there is bad in every institution no matter how good the intention. The lack of support in communities all over is breaking down the hope of future generations and that breaks my heart. I hate feeling powerless to protect and care for those that cannot get out of really bad situations. Thank you so much for sharing some of your own life and struggles with me. You are a sweetheart! (((BIG HUGS)) (^_^)
Delete*hugs* I can somewhat relate to you, as it's just my mom, brother, and me, and we always watch our pennies these days and feel thankful we are better off than other people we know. Family is very important, and I'm glad I also have string ties with those I deeply care about. I'm happy that you are also donating to a cause, and I recently donated to St.Judes.
ReplyDelete**Hugs back** My mom, brother, and me have been through so much together. I feel very fortunate to still live at home with a loving family. We are a group of adults that have been through the fire and back, and I have no doubt more trouble will find us. That's just life. But I feel blessed to be able to hug my mom every day, and comfort her when she feels less than her best. We all come together to make sure things get paid, and we save and plan in the same way. Though, we aren't perfect, it is so much better than being alone in today's world. Thank you for the heartfelt comment Verona! So happy to know you too, have a family of support!(^_^)
DeleteThank you so much for sharing this. I truly believe that having a family to back you can make all the difference. I know that I would be a mess if I didn't have such a close bond with my parents and I am truly grateful that even though things are tough I have their support. This looks like a truly great cause and it's so important to try to get the word out on these things. So thank you again. :)
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to this as well. Not growing up though. Growing up I had just about everything and never understood why my friends couldn't have what I had. Until I got married and my husband and I got our first apartment. Then we had a child. It was very hard for us to make it raising a child. Now it is still hard for us as I am a stay at home mom because my son has severe autism. He requires my care at all times. There are months where we barely make it. Family is something that I hold very close. I would not be where I am today without my mother and my husband and my son. My father passed away four years ago and not a day goes by that I don't think of him and love and miss him. My family has given me everything. Without them I would not be able to stand.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very heartfelt post Cat. Thanks for sharing it. Family support is a vital part of life. My siblings and I were born to parents that were both only children....so we have no aunts nor uncles. They are both now deceased. It is extremely important that the four of us hold on to family values and remain supportive of each other. I currently donate annually to a couple of charities, but I will share the info for this one with my doll club on next Saturday when we meet.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have much when I was growing up either, that's one of the reasons I love dolls so much because I had so few dolls as a child I treasured them utterly!
ReplyDeleteWe were rich in family closeness though, and for that I am eternally grateful, thankyou for posting this :)
This was a very wonderful post... I'll have to check it out and see what I can afford to donate.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post Cat. I didn't realize until I was an adult how financially constrained things were. It's a blessing to have a family that gives you enough love and support so that you never feel deprived. In this hobby, we get caught up in these glamorous worlds and ignore the very real world. I always donate, but this holiday season, when more and more kids are effected by this economy, I will certainly give more!
ReplyDeleteHello from Spain: I think like you. The family is the foundation of our life and family together always helps us overcome the problems of life. I am glad your thanks to your wonderful family you not fell into the world of drugs and could lead a daily life. I love the family photo of Barbie. It's a picture that represents all the world's families together. I'm glad that you share with your followers your childhood. Already you are inspiration for many people not to give up and have to fight and help society. Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your story with us. I just made a donation. It's really heartbreaking to realize how many people, especially kids, go hungry in this country. Thanks for reminding me that I can do my part to help out. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is the time of gathering with family and being thankful. Sometimes we forget how lucky we really are. Happy Holidays to you and your family as we move into this holiday season!
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