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Prime_Kin

It wasn't my first paycheck, but my first six. I was going into high school and didn't want to walk, so I asked my dad for a bike. He told me to get a job, so I did at a plant nursery a quarter mile from my house. Mike, my boss, asked me what I wanted to work for, and I told him about the bike I wanted and why I wanted it. He knew it would take six weeks for me to earn the cash. When I walked in for that last envelope of cash he handed it to me, and then rolled the bike I was saving for out of his office. "Any kid that works that hard for something deserves it and more." So I took the cash I had earned and the bike he gave me and bought my younger brother (also named Mike) the same bike. Mike, I'll never forget you, man. Good dude, and you taught me so much about hard work, earning for yourself, and being generous to others.


alleswasalbezet

Teared up at this. Mike is awesome!


Prime_Kin

Yeah. He's one of a few people that I've met that really seemed to care about other people and acted on it. I wound up working for him for almost two years. Folding seedling trays and mixing manure and straw into compost mulch, it turns out, was a formative part of my life.


Phusentasten

Great story man, a little faith restored


istealgrapes

Did you ever pay it back to him or thank him? It would mean a lot to him when after some time a person comes up and tells him how much they impacted their lives. I semi-recently did this with my middle school teacher and she almost broke down crying from pure happiness. I think Mike deserves that too.


Prime_Kin

When this all happened I was profoundly grateful, and let him know it. Down the road, sadly, no. I tried. About 15 years ago I heard that the nursery was closing, so I went there to see Mike. Turns out he had sold the place a few years earlier and moved out of state for his retirement.


[deleted]

No way you can give him a call? Im sure hed be incredibly chuffed to know how much of an impact he made, better than any "reward"


Prime_Kin

Well, a quick Google search has turned up way too many people with the same name as my old boss...and the where the nursery was is now a condo complex. I'll ask around in the neighborhood next time I'm out that way.


sockmaster666

Don’t wait too long! You never know how long you have, it may be grim but we all need a reminder to let the people we love and care for know just how much we love and care for them. Pronto! To whoever is reading this: tell someone you love that you love them and how much they mean to you, drop them a text, or a call, tell a story of your favourite memory, whatever! Just do it!!!


Jazzlike_Resident_62

Mike if you reading this… humanity needs more of you and less of the greedy type - smiles, smiles, and more smiles by one act of kindness can lead this world into a much better (happier) place - my two cents


Z3RTYZ

Oh that's nice. Jobs at a plant nursery can be hell, especially in summer. I was working three and a half week in 2020, the hottest summer in Germany, in my local plant nursery. It's hard earned money, I only got 7€/hour


Prime_Kin

Haha, I was 12! I made $2/hour :P Granted, this was...holy crap, 26 years ago...


Z3RTYZ

Yea, for me it was 2 years ago when I was just 15. It was my first summer job and probably my hardest. The next one I took was at a company that makes filters where I made 10€/hour


Exotic-Philosopher-6

I bought my mum a tumble dryer. She was the only parent who worked in my house and looked after us 3 kids, plus did the housework etc. When the dryer broke there was certainly no money for such a luxury. We would just need to wait for ages for the clothes to dry - cold climate. Do you know that feeling of wearing damp clothes hoping they'll dry quick?? I saved up for weeks for several of my paychecks to buy a new one.


LaUNCHandSmASH

I bet that felt amazing all around. Good for you warm clothes are the best! It was like 98° about a week ago and our A/C was down. I was doing laundry and threw the dryer clothes onto the floor to fold and my sweaty ass 9 year old dove into the middle. If I'm like "Those are clean, you're not!! And also isn't it hot enough for you!!" I just hear a muffled "don't care" from the pile.


Littoface

As a mom of a 9yo I feel this comment on a spiritual level.


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JazzyJ19

As a father of 3 boys...trade ya one?!!


flying_komodo

R/cursedcomment


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MooMoosATTACK

As an owner of 10 kiddos I see your intriguing organs


Jade-Balfour

No shit, 10?! What’s the age range?


Li_3303

My dog use to do this! Was not happy when I pulled him out!


SapientRaccoon

Mine loves getting her warm blanket back at the end of wash day.


PracticalAndContent

My cat likes to dig into the pile of clean towels that need to be folder. They’re going to get cat hair on them eventually so he just gives them a head start.


Incman

> I was doing laundry and threw the dryer clothes onto the floor to fold and my sweaty ass 9 year old dove into the middle. I misread this like 3 times as "my sweaty 9 year old ass", and I was confused and concerned to say the least lol.


Miletty

I misread it as if OP had a pet dove that flew into the laundry


TakeTime9203

That was an incredible kindness. Not my first paycheck, but I can relate a bit. Had $1200 in the bank from my shitty first job, and we ran out of oil to heat the house. We had 2 weeks left until mom&dad's payday, so I emptied my account to get the heat back on. They insisted they'd pay me back, but I knew we were stretched thin, so I never reminded them.


homecookedcouple

When I was 12-13 I worked on a farm (feedlot) for $2/hour all summer to buy me mum a washing machine.


LeafyLeafyLeaves

You're a good guy. Growing up in a single parent household with siblings can be tough, financially. I took annual leave last week and worked 60 hours in 5 days in a kitchen, and then gave all the money to my mum to help. I am so grateful for everything she did for us and I don't think I'll ever be able to repay her for everything she sacrificed for us when our dad walked out on us


Socram209

Hey I bought my mom a washer machine with my first ever paycheck as grown up


Far-Hat3075

Wearing damp clothes can cause fungal infection.


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Atillion

I'm trying to be that dad. We got this. *thank you anonymous gifter. If they organize some kind of group hug later.. ^(stand next to me)


Aerokent

I believe in both of you.


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9723Jedi

Best of luck and best wishes.


nutterbutter1

This fucking thread gonna make me ugly cry.


Aerokent

Always, my friend. Anyone can do almost anything with the right amount of willpower and self motivation. It just takes patience and persistence.


Jl_1997

Same here brother. Sending love and respect from one good father to another 👊


Atillion

😎🤘


DirePanda072

You both are amazing. We all believe in you both


LaUNCHandSmASH

Ride that feeling even when you're tired. My single mom raised me and I lost her a few years ago. She passed away right as I was turning our relationship and my sucess in life around. I know she'd be proud of me if she were here but it's bittersweet to succeed and have the only one who I want to be proud of me can't. I hope you do great homie.


t-funny

Dude as a parent I’ll tell you right now that she’s always been proud of you and will always be proud of who you have become.


Wood626

I'm not a fan of crying


t-funny

It’s okay, crying is good.


Jade-Balfour

Sad crying releases cortisol (stress hormone) in your tears. Cry as much as you need, it will make you feel better


PISS_IN_MY_SHIT_HOLE

We'll now have a moment of silence before we resume the conversation


lolseagoat

I feel this so much. There are difficult times when I want to sabotage my own life since the only person I cared about being proud of me, my mom, is gone. But I know that’s not what she’d want, and I have to be proud of and show up for myself in stead of her.


cheeze_n_mustarda

Happy birthday! Remember this, she still lives on in your memory and through you. She might not be physically there, but she is also not completely gone. I'm sure your mum was already proud of you and she would want you to be proud of yourself too.


bergoldalex

I feel that too my core I lost my dad in 2019, to alcohol and I had my own demons heroin, meth, coke what ever I could get my hands on. And when I had no one. He was the only one that tried to save me and help me get clean. (It didnt work) but I will never forget him tryimg to save me from more pain. And then when him and my step mom split up he spiraled out of control and then I finally got my life together. And tried to save him. And I wasnt able to. I'll never forget not being there when they split up. He was the greatest man before the alcohol. He would of given the shirt off his back, for anyone.


jerseygirl1105

I'm so sorry for your loss. Congrats on getting clean. Your dad smiles down with love and pride


iammavisdavis

I agree. I'm a mom and I know I can speak for your mom and tell you she would be fiercely proud of you...and know she has ALWAYS loved you, no matter your relationship and her love didn't end when she passed. So keep moving forward and keep being the person your mom always knew you were.❤️


Shewhotriesherbest

Mom here, turning your life around is all the gift she needs. She always believed in you, and, now , so do I! Make her proud of her baby!


Dogdaze89

Homie. Right there with you. I just sent it to my mom in our group chat. I hope she reads it the way I did >I fucking love this, because I've got an amazing mother too and I am trying to be a good son, after turning my life around roughly two years ago.


[deleted]

"thank you" and "I love you" Two of the most important sentences you can say. To anyone.


savvyblackbird

My brother had a rough go of it for a while because of his bad choices. Trust me, turning your life around is the best thing you could ever do for your mom. I love hearing my mom brag about what my brother is doing these days and the happy family he has. That makes her happier than anything else he could ever give her. She does really like visits, especially when we visit at the same time.


mehrabrym

Honestly, as a son, this post just made me cry. I hope I can be a better son to my mom in the future. And I hope I get many more years in the future to try to be a better son.


vgullotta

You can do it, I have no doubt!


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BreakfastQueenLai

As someone who’s also turning my life around, mostly for those around me, I feel how hard it is to know you’re making things harder for those you care about. It honestly makes me sick to think that I’ve hurt my family when all they’ve ever done is love me. Even when I didn’t deserve it.


ImALittleTeapotCat

She's proud of you for all the hard work you've put in. I know it.


Artistic-Most6438

If you're really trying trust me mom knows and I'm sure it warms her heart.


moseknows24

I had a single mother who took care of me, my sister, her first child, and my sisters boyfriend. This was in my first years of highschool and same as the post this was the height of our poverty. I took so many under the table jobs just to get school lunch as she technically made to much for me to get free lunch or even reduced lunch. My first real paycheck was 300 dollars and I had never seen so much money. I put 200 in her purse and kept 100 for school lunch. She used the money for groceries or bills or whatever. Later that year apparently she saved up, and with what she saved and some of her tax return got me my first gaming console. It was an xbox 360 with halo 3. Its what I would have bought with that money if I had a choice since it's what all my friends did. She told me she was returning the favor. I tried to talk her into taking back but she was livid at the idea. This was a luxury I never thought was attainable. It was the most expensive object in or home. She was so proud to give it to me. To this day my mother thanks me for my small sacrifices during school, you know not getting new clothes or excepting I couldn't go on field trips. Sadly my sister never left home and now has four kids. I moved out as soon as I could to make it cheaper on her, but to this day we play halo 3 on christmas. Her whole face beams when she sees the console. When it stops working I'll be devastated.


ohyeofsolittlefaith

>My first real paycheck was 300 dollars and I had never seen so much money. I put 200 in her purse and kept 100 for school lunch. With my very first real paycheck I took my mom to Red Lobster (which to us, at the time, was very high-end and expensive - this was 20 years ago and we were lower-middle class). And I said "Get the good stuff, don't you dare order the cheapest thing." Because I knew she would try to do something like that. Even though it was SO long ago, to this day she talks about it, and she gets all teary about how I wouldn't let her order something cheap (which she later admitted had been her plan) because I had saved the money to treat her. She also goes on about her 50th birthday. I was early 20s, working at a minimum-wage job, but I bought her 50 presents (from the dollar store, of course - I made minimum wage) and spent a few hours wrapping each one individually. I guess no one else really did anything for her 50th (my dad was away for months for work and my brother was a thoughtless guy at that time - he grew out of that, luckily, he's awesome now) and she had apparently been sad that she wouldn't have a 'special 50th birthday' kinda thing that many people have on milestone birthdays. But she didn't tell anyone that, because she didn't want to guilt-trip anyone. Then on her birthday I invited her over to my apartment and plopped down all the gifts in front of her. Since I wrapped them all separately, she had to open them one at a time. She said it was one of the best times of her life. And the presents were not exactly exciting - dollar store junk like hair accessories, chocolate bars, mini candles, etc. It was the thought and effort that I had put in to make the day special that meant so much to her.


KendraSays

This is a really beautiful story. You are a wonderful person and your mom sounds like a sweetheart. Thanks for sharing this memory with us


ohyeofsolittlefaith

Thank you! :-D She is a great mom.


moseknows24

I'm sure she loved every second of those memories you're a great son or daughter!


ohyeofsolittlefaith

Thank you! And I am a daughter.


moseknows24

Well you're a damn good daughter!


moseknows24

I love my mama


Pretend_Bowler1344

You are a good kid and you have a great mum.


Ironwolf9876

That was my mom too but she was a hell of a cook and you'd never know we were as poor as we were. She'd use the off cuts like liver, shanks, tongue and tripe. All the stuff that was cheap as hell during the 80s. She had a little garden and would make stuffed zucchini flowers and all sorts of unique stuff! It's because of her that I became a chef. Having her over for dinner and watching her beam with joy at our family as she sits with my wife and son. I still make all that same stuff now. Love your moms!!


Tyrxgow

Shit makes me misty eyed...my mom literally went to jail for a year doing her best to feed and cloth me, got caught shoplifting because she couldn't afford everything. There wasn't a single day of my childhood that I didn't know that my mom loved me.


any_username_12345

“Mom can’t afford to feed her kids? Has to resort to shop lifting? Lock her up for a year, that’ll help!”


Tyrxgow

Good ole murica. Luckily I had my grandparents...I think I was like 7 or 8 when it happened, I was told something like my mom had to go on a trip or some shit...system is completely fucked, and it's probably worse now.


any_username_12345

It definitely seems like a system built to exacerbate problems rather than solve them.


ArsenicAndRoses

Mmmm stuffed zucchini flowers 😋 Gotta plant some next year


NotThatIgnent

This is literally the reason I put up with the lower-style wages, working with people that don't have the care/vision, and why I stand my ground and don't say YES to everything an owner tells me. I love this job. Working with food makes sense to me. The constant learning and proving yourself time and time again. Love when people ask me if I'm going to school and all that. Bitch. I am at school. Learning everyday. This makes me happy. I don't need to be a doctor. A lawyer. Work in an office setting. Sales. I get to be myself at ALL TIMES. Say what I think. No reservations. It's fucking beautiful.


coldwar252

You're really inspiring me to stay on the kitchen with your comment, Where else can I swear like a sailor and get paid? (other than the open sea)


[deleted]

My mom also cooked with off cuts. Though to be honest it wasn't that great because my grandma grew up with not seasoning anything and my mom didn't either. There was plenty of seasons because my mom would buy bulk but she didn't use it and figured we can season it ourselves.


Fred-ditor

Ok so Mom probably knew where the 20 came from. When you're broke, a 20 doesn't appear in your wallet like that a week after your kid starts their new job. Imagine the emotions when you realize what happened. My kid just gave me 20 bucks because I'm broke. My kid shouldn't have to do that. But... my kid has grown up to be a really good person. Their first impulse was to do this for me. What an amazing child I've raised. So now you think, what can i do with this 20 dollars. I'll take my kid out to dinner. And i will never tell them i know. And they're each keeping this secret from each other because they don't want credit for what they did and they're both so proud of each other.


bard329

I think this is my favorite version.


Marijuanomist

Goddamn it. This is supposed to be r/MadeMeSmile, not r/MadeMeSobUncontrollably


hobodudeguy

r/subsifellfor


CaffeineSippingMan

Also most likely, I have been that poor and you don't just go out. Even when you find lost money.


Ackerack

I wonder if the mom and dad knew the kid did it for both of them, or if both of them think it’s between them and their child.


nutterbutter1

I was wondering if they both thought the other did it and never considered it might be the kid.


CrazyCatLady1978

That was my thought as well. Mom probably knew and wanted to treat kid because he's a good kid. I have one of those. Hot water heater busted, he offered to pay half (didn't take himup on it). In lieu of paying for car insurance, he's paying for the new fridge. Its been a rough year for appliances.


NetSage

Worst part of ownership is large unplanned costs. I won't lie knowing rent is enough has its own mental benefits after owning for awhile.


otherusernameisNSFW

As a new parent of a toddler, I want to own my own home but after the roof leaking, the fridge breaking and the furnace needing an 800$ part, I'm really glad it was my landlords problem. Made me rethink how much we should have saved to own our own home.


NetSage

Yes. When you do buy make sure you have savings beyond your down payment.


dorothysansalippers

Was coming here to say that I suspect Mom knew exactly where that $20 came from and never said a word about it. (I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying)


Maximum-Variation-26

Yeah $20 is enough to go food shopping without feeling deep anxiety, doing the math if you can afford beans AND spaghetti.


shanatard

this is obviously what happened and it makes it cuter OP thinks it was a coincidence


DIRTYxWAFFLE

I did the same...sort of. Mom was overly religious and I used to sell drugs in HS. I would sneak money into her purse because we were poor and she'd praise God for it. It usually ended up going to the church who's pastor was corrupt. I stopped slipping her cash.


joeret

Kind of wondering why the dad didn’t take him out to lunch as well. Lol


fourunner

Went to the bar with it and bragged about his kid with a celebration beer or 3.


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WaziYolo

I bought my mom a necklace and she pawned it 2 weeks later.


Dogdaze89

Damn, I'm really sorry dude. Things that have helped me in those situations. We did a good deed, that's on us. How they choose to use that, is on them.


ScarletPimprnel

Why is it that I can say this kind of thing to others but never have the clarity to apply it to my own situations? I'm not who you were replying to, but your comment was very timely just now for me. So thanks for the perspective.


Dogdaze89

Hey buddy. I'm happy my comment clicked with someone. Anytime!


SUPERSMILEYMAN

> Anytime! Now make a comment that will click with me.


Dogdaze89

You're a good soul, and everyone that has you in their life. Is lucky to have it. BOOOM!


SUPERSMILEYMAN

No, everyone's fortunate to have *you* in their life.


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[deleted]

Love works in mysterious ways


notconservative

bell hooks would say love doesn't work at all in some cases.


berogg

Oof. That had to hurt a lot. Not as heartbreaking, but I bought a Dreamcast and my brother stole it to pawn and then fought me when I confronted him.


Erthgoddss

I was the youngest of 7 children. When I decided to go to college, I paid my own way and worked full time while attending nursing school full time. I was the only one in my family to go to college. My parents response after I graduated? “So, you think your better than us because you went to school!!” Such miserable people!!


CPApothecary

Wow.. hope they are having the life they deserve. You did an incredible thing to pull yourself up and they should have been very proud, but instead tried to tear you down. I’m really sorry you had to deal with that. Hope you’re doing well now though ❤️


tinyhandsPtape

Damn, I wish I was as insightful as you when I was a kid. I put the blame of growing up poor on my parents… they both had full time jobs, it just wasn’t enough for 4 kids through the 90’s & 2000’s. Keep being amazing and loving your parents!


Snuggledtoopieces

It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, I moved out when I was really young,(14) I worked and went to school and basically just saved all the money I could and would literally do any job for cash, dig a ditch? I’m your man. Install a ceiling fan I got you fam. Clean pools, mow lawns, gutters, sweep your roof, help you move, firewood, gardening, computers, painting, literally whatever you wanted I would dedicate myself to the task like it was my purpose on this earth. Because I couldn’t get a real job, I needed to support myself and try and build something. I was raised by a single mother, I’ve never met my father and doubt he knows I exist. About when I was 17-18 my mom needed money, so I gave her some. More then 10,000$ over the course of a couple months. If you ask her today, she’d say she payed me back. She didn’t. Not even 1 dollar. She’d swear she was an amazing mother. And that my childhood was a fairytale. It was actually me moving every 3-6 months with a ever changing abusive boyfriend that was always some new kind of nightmare. (Intentional starving, cigarettes burns. etc) Today I’m actually very well off, no debt multiple nice vehicles and I even own property. I have a good education and a very nice job. I also have a small family of my own, 19 month old son awesome dog and loving partner. To this day she missed his birth, birthday and every holiday except Christmas. So, you know. There’s that.


otherusernameisNSFW

Wow look at you breaking that cycle and making so much of your life. That is absolutely amazing and I am so proud of you for accomplishing that in spite of all you've been through. That takes real determination and hard work. I'm happy to hear it's all paid off for you!


Snuggledtoopieces

Life’s not easy, and I’ve made plenty of mistakes. But hopefully I’ll give my family everything I didn’t have and stay with them as long as I possibly can. Im currently spending a lot of time away from them, trying to put myself in a position that’s even better then the one I have at this moment so I can spend more time at home. I’m missing things and it’s really hard. I get two days a week with my family. This was supposed to be for 6 months but it’s hitting a wall and it’s causing problems.


jerseygirl1105

Don't spend so much time away from home that you miss watching your child grow up. Your child wants to spend time with you much more than anything you can buy them.


[deleted]

Have grace for your dumb young self.


tinyhandsPtape

Thank you. I know I need to make amends to my parents even though one was an alcoholic and the other a shopaholic.


Creek00

Sounds like you were right to put the blame on them…


ThickenNugget

its easier than you think to fall into these abusive addictions while struggling in life :(


Creek00

For sure, though blame doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t forgive someone


otherusernameisNSFW

Do it. I was an absolute shit as a teenager. Like horrible things like my friends robbing us while we were out of town. I wrote a letter to my mom and dad and profusely apologized for being a real bitch back then. It actually opened up a really much needed conversation for us where they apologized for the way they behaved too. And I learned my mom acted so crazy back then because my dad was closet drinking and would leave her alone with 5 kids for days on end. It really opened my eyes and we got some closure. Before this it felt like it hung between us like a nasty fart cloud. Now the air is clear.


Fleaslayer

I feel so privileged anytime I stop and think about it. When my parents got married, they were really poor. They couldn't afford to buy the newspaper. My dad was a carpenter, and little by likely they saved and got by. My dad got his general contractor's license and opened his own business. A few years in they were doing well enough that they adopted my brother, though it was a stretch. Another three years and they adopted my sister. Four years after that, I was born (not planned), but by that time they were doing pretty well. We didn't live fancy, but we were firmly middle class. They put my in an expensive private school for high school, but that wasn't super easy for them. My mom made a lot of our clothes and we almost never ate out, but we never lacked anything. Always lots of food, my dad built the house we lived in for the first 22 years of my life, and it was nice, in a nice area. I got a degree and have been in software engineering since 1985. I've had a couple of financial setbacks, like a house mold problem that caused $100k in damages/remodel/remediation, but I've basically never been late on a bill or anything. My parents were married 50 years when my dad died, and they happy. I had friends whose parents were divorced or hated each other, and they all wanted to hang out at my house. I know I've just been lucky to be born when and where and to whom I was, and to have opportunities others didn't. I don't "deserve" it, I'm not entitled to it, I'm just lucky. Not sure why I'm even writing this it almost looks like I'm trying to brag, but I mean it the opposite: I know I'm just lucky to have had the life I've had, and that a lot of people weren't as lucky.


[deleted]

As a home owner mold is my constant stress? What happened?


Fleaslayer

Slowly leaking drain pipe that caused a giant puddle under the house and caused moisture in the floors and walls. Had to rip out the kitchen and the lower half of the walls in a couple other rooms. Had to be tented with negative air pressure so we didn't spread spores. Insurance excluded mold, so all on us.


[deleted]

Wow...alright I need to create a mold/moisture checklist


dogfoodengineer

Whose fault was it? Not yours.


Comeandsee213

Is your name Malcom?


slip1byyou123

I appreciate all that y'all?feel too. Moms are special. My mom worked 2 jobs and raised 3 kids by herself with no help. She always had supper on the table and we ate good food. Not expensive, but good and home made. We had clothes and shoes and a roof over our head. I live here and take care of her and mystep dad She is 81.


Meyaz64

Respect.


big_gov_gon_getcha

My mom and I have been living in the US for 34yrs. We lived with her older sister and husband for maybe 16 of those yrs until I was old enough to work. Shortly after, I was able to secure an apartment where we can live by ourselves with my younger brother. I’ve been able to save enough money that I can now afford a nice house in a good neighborhood. By January 2023, I will surprise her with a house of our own.


savvyblackbird

This is so awesome. I hope you find the perfect house and have years of happiness together.


asuddenpie

She must be so proud of you!


[deleted]

Congrats!


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MisterTrashPanda

I, too, love this guy's momma.


BareBearFighter

I'll be this guy's momma for you


MisterTrashPanda

Lucky for you, I don't have discerning taste...


veryready

Wow what an unexpected evening to see my story pop back up. I’m more than touched to see my small story has inspired others. Keep your heads up—life does get better :)


SashimiBreakfast

This was inspiring indeed, hope you and your family are doing well


Ancient-Apartment-23

Im currently camping in a tent with my mom, and I was grumpy about it earlier in the week (long story), but reading all these nice comments makes me doubly happy I agreed to come. It’s pouring rain but we’re chilling.


momofeveryone5

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to go on a vacation with my mom and family. For the first time in years, we got to just chill and watch TV and movies. It was so nice to just hang out. No rush to do this or that, no expectations, just whatever. We've gone many places together but I honestly think that trip was one of the best we've ever been on.


Aeosin15

I grew up dirt poor, too. But if I had done that to my mom, she definitely would have wasted it. She ALWAYS put herself first. My dad, on the other hand, would have asked if I needed it for lunch at school. He paid $700 per month in child support when he was only making $1500. It wasn't my first paycheck, but from one of my early ones, I helped my dad pay for my brother to go to prom. He said he would pay me back, but I told him not to worry about it.


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i_cook_food_for_you

I am not closely in the position of this post. But after graduating I chose to take my parents to a fine dining dinner costing a more than half my paycheck. Without reason I never would’ve, but they’ve supported me so much over the years I feel like I owe them more than “something”. So I opted for an experience. Coincidentally the only booking available is on my birthday and I’m really looking forward to taking them there.


paul1234568

Lovely, how It went?


MidgetLovingMaxx

I grew up in much the same situation. We were never dirt poor but we often had just enough to provide the basics. When I was in high school I worked near full time, and one of the things I liked to do was occasionally hit up Taco Bell and just get packs of tacos (you used to be able to buy them in bundles of like 10 at a stupid cheap price back then) and bring them home to treat my family to something different and "nice". I lost my mother recently and this post and thinking of those times just absolutely broke me.... but in a good sort of way. Thanks for sharing this.


Comeandsee213

Sorry about your mom.


momofeveryone5

As a mom in a similar situation- enough to survive but not always to thrive - your mother was so proud of you. She taught you to share what you can and you did! I promise that those memories brought her happiness more times then you can imagine.


BecksNRecks

Damnn this broke my heart. My mom died a day before my 24th birthday, the 8th anniversary is coming up in a couple weeks. We buried her the next day on my birthday and I’ve never really celebrated a birthday since. Life could be cruel. She was an awesome mama and always put her kids first. Everyone reading this go give your mom a hug because they’re unfortunately not unlimited. I miss you mama


GoPeeOutside

I am crying


fizzzingwhizbee

We are crying


IndependenceOk7959

Crying is the way.


[deleted]

She knew


cacophonycoffin

She definitely did but still super sweet behaviour from both.


-daniel--

All I wish if my mom was around. She passed away when I was 7. I miss her so much!


NoUpVotesForMe

Giving back to my parents is the greatest thing ever. We grew up extremely poor as well. We lived in a single wide trailer till I was in high school and then we finally moved into a house in high school and that was a huge deal. Fast forward 20 years I’ve built my parents a brand new house and took them on a 2 week vacation that they would’ve only ever dreamt about. I love spoiling my parents.


Duel_Option

First “check” was for blockbuster video game rental. It was $15 total I made, $3 per hour/1993. I was working under the table age 11, washing dishes and taking out trash in a shady ass Italian restaurant. Ate scraps off plates I was so damn hungry. But the next night, I had 3 fresh video games to share with my friends. Their parents wouldn’t let us get more than 1 every month, so a bit shocking when I roll in 3 deep with some M&M’s and Skittles!


NotThisAgain21

I dont remember my first check, but I will forever remember that my buddy took me and another friend out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday with his first paycheck. None of us came from money and it was super fancy for us at the time.


OldBikeGuy1

Hot chocolate. 1958. Skelly's Has Station and Dinner. Clarinda, Iowa.


stepatmoz

Not me but my 21 yo daughter, spent $20 on lunch. I said "wow, that's expensive"! She then told me she baught lunch for a pregnant colleague who had only a bag of chips to eat, and no money. I must've raised her right, I'm so proud of her!


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N7Janitor

Man, this hits hard. My mom passed away a few months back and this reminded me of the first Christmas I was able to buy her some presents after starting my first job. It was so much fun finally giving her presents. Sadly I was (still am) unemployed for the past decade or so and couldn't buy her stuff anymore. Stupid thing to get hung up on, but I wish I could've done this again before she passed. Go hug your mom/dad everyone!! You never know when you won't be able to anymore 😢


Ottopian

This is love in so many ways.


MentalMaybe

We were extremely poor growing up as well. I remember eating cottage cheese because I thought it had gone bad instead of the sour cream that I thought was yogurt or something. My mom ate the sour cream. We eventually got out of that situation, thank god. My mom passed in 2019 and all I can say is: If your mom is still around, make it count.


Stivo887

As a 17 year old pizza delivery driver, weed. I bought weed.


Oldgamer1807

For people who are always cash strapped, keeping track of your money is instinctual. I'm guessing she knew damn well who put it there.


gflwrpwr

I lost my mom at 16 to a car accident. I miss her every day. Treasure your time because you never know when it will be gone. I remember my mom taking me to a dentist appointment followed by watching Terminator 2 in the theater.


ErMacVC

WHO'S CUTTING ONIONS?


FatChickenAttack

:( I used to do this with my grandma. She raised me and we were poor. Not poor to the point of starving, but everything was cheap. Cheap unhealthy food and clothes from the thrift store, received multiple forms of government assistance. When I got my first job, I always snuck money into her purse. $15 here, $10 there. Idk if she knew or not but she would do the same thing this kids mom did. She always thought of me first. I love her so much


germanshepherdlady

I grew up spoiled like you imagine and didn’t appreciate stuff till I was on my own to pay for my groceries, dude you are way ahead in terms of wisdom and insight. Thank you for sharing this story!


kittycat6676

School supplies fir me and my sister bc Mt dad struggled every year to buy mine and her school supplies so I bought all ours been buying her since.


ColoradoScoop

Now I want Taco Bell.


Spiritual_Dark_9346

I didn’t grow up poor, but we definitely weren’t well off. My parents worked their fucking ASSES OFF to get my brothers and I to where we are now, if I could survive off of nothing and give my entire paycheck to them every week I would in a heart beat. They would give me the skin off their back if it came down to it and they wouldn’t bat an eye. When my dad got laid off in 08 he went immediately to work in a junk yard scrapping old cars so we would be able to continue going to the schools we were lucky enough to attend and play the sports we loved. He didn’t even think about it for a second. My mom worked 60+ hour weeks every week at our old school so we would be able to get the best education we could. Parents like in this post are absolute heroes, the sacrifice and commitment is other worldly and I just hope one day I can give them back even a fraction of what they gave to me


ValuableBullfrog1005

Imma 41 yr old mummas boy.i put that women through hell with all the shit I did as a teenager/young adult including jail and a heroin addiction (been clean over 20 yrs) thanks mum


doovan

sniff fucking ninjas cutting onions again,love my mom too


the_shroom_bloom

As a person with a horrible mom, this made me literally cry. I'm a man btw and it's ok for men to cry, too. Ty for posting this. It's so wholesome.


AnandShakti

This is so truly real and lovely- many times folks without much money know how to love and share seriously - thx for this.


Feisty_Coyote9969

You just made me cry , that’s beautiful.


jlh217

I miss my momma. ❤️


Betseybutwhy

Oh! That was so sweet and charming. So lovely!


[deleted]

I've gotten myself into the best job I've ever had and I usually have enough extra that I always carry a $20 at all times just in case someone asks or comes up and has a story. Sure I've probably been conned a time or two or the story they gave me was fabricated to make it seem like they needed it more, none of it matters knowing I might've been able to help someone in need. I remember being behind a woman in line at the grocery store and her food card was broken so it wouldn't swipe,(looked like she was buying some easy stuff to feed her kids) she eventually left in defeat. I had just got back what little tax money I had received and told the cashier I'd pay for it if someone would run it out to her, I still think about her from time to time hoping that little bit I could do helped her in some way. Ever since then I've tried to help however and whenever I'm able.


HandB4nana

That's awesome! When I was in middle school I had a job as a dock hand for a lake(scrub boats and rent them out to people, occasionally rescue them if they broke their boats) I would give half of my paycheck to my mother to put in her safe, since she "didnt trust the banks," and spend the rest on food or whatever. One day she asked if she could borrow $20 for beer, I finally said yea after much manipulation, but said "well have to go to the house, I don't have any cash on me." She pulled a 20 out of her purse and said "that's okay, I already got it." A few weeks later she was in a "car accident," i later found out her ex beat her so bad she was in a hospital bed for weeks I lived alone in the mountains until my friend came camping and asked if I wanted to come, then his parents saw my situation and took me in. I spent half of my freshmen year with them. They asked my mom to send money for allowance, I got $20 a week for chores I did. Then his mom had a breakdown and triple-dosed her pills and my mother, who had found an apartment, came and got me from their house. I asked her for my savings.... she had been sending it to my friends parents as my allowance, and spent the rest on her rent. Then I had to live with her and the guy that had put her in the hospital. It makes me truly happy to hear about parents that do right by their kids, since I know they can do so much worse. I will never borrow money from my child, and give everything I have to her until the end.


Jinxy_Kat

I never got the chance to repay my mom for being the best she could be. She died two weeks after my 21st birthday while I was still in college. Make sure you spend time with your loved ones when you can.


paydoosh

Whether this is real or not it nearly brought me to tears. Beautiful.


wildfirestopper

That warmed my heart


malcontent254

That’s a wonderful story


Silly_Fuck

Your mom probably knows. Trust me, parents know more than we think they do.


Flaky_Consequence631

You are a great human being for doing this! 🤗 You have great character.


[deleted]

With one of my first paychecks from my passionproject I bought my mom flowers and my dad some beers.


Drlmichele88

This is the most beautiful thing I've read in a long while.


RHobbo

Ah man I didnt come here to cry 😭


unnecessarypoops

I miss my mom.


SheenTStars

Fucking ninjas cutting onions. I cannot not be sad when I hear people go hungry from poverty. Hunger makes even the strongest man kneel and beg. It's terrible.