For some reason, my roommate Jennifer and I were talking about our youth and I told her about my first bike - my first banana seat, basket-on-the-front bike.
My sister Andrea and I got our "new" bikes for Christmas one year. The interesting thing was they weren't new. They were used (I don't remember if they belonged to our older sisters or if they were purchased elsewhere - Mom and Dad, would you like to comment on that?) and in pretty bad shape. I believe when we realized what they were that Christmas morning, some disappointment was felt - at least by me.
But the thing that sold us on them was the fact that we got to go to the store with Dad, pick out whatever color of paint we wanted the bike painted, chose a new seat, and chose a basket for the front.
I don't remember what Andi chose, but I chose the color copper. (Weird color, I know, and as I see the pink bike above, why couldn't I have chosen a cool color like that instead?) Anyway...
These bikes never felt used. They were our very own from the very beginning because we got to be part of the process of making them new again. I loved that bike.
I'm sharing this trip down amnesia lane because my parents weren't wealthy. But as kids we never really felt poor. My folks new how to scrimp and save and make do and we always felt comfortable growing up.
I'm not exactly sure where I got my horrible, HORRIBLE spending habits. It was definitely NOT an inherited thing or learn-by-example thing. I went completely against the grain on this front and am paying dearly for it now.
Silly me.
Do you have memories to share on making do with what you have/had? Please comment. I'd love to hear your stories. Seriously.
7 comments:
I so know what you mean! We never really had money growing up, we even had to shop at the bishop's storehouse when we were living in LA, and my mom still jokes about us eating her famous "Peas, Potatoes and Egg Soup." We loved it but she only made it because it was so cheap! We wrapped our gifts in newspaper or old trashbags, grew food in our garden and even had our own chickens for the eggs (in the middle of LA! Imagine that!) As kids though, we never thought we were poor. Looking back I realize that it was hard on my parents, but we never felt deprived! Life was great! And now as an adult, I am not afraid to go without. Thanks for sharing and reminding us all about the virtue of making do. :)
I'm so glad you posted it! I wish you had pictures of YOU on the bike. The copper bike. Great story.
I had a bike like that too & I can remember riding it around & wanted so bad to have a dirt bike that did jumps instead of a girly bike! I was such a huge tom boy...
Now I wouldn't mind a pink bike like that & I wish I was way more girly than I look...
I decided when we live somewhere big enough to have a bike I am getting a pink beach cruiser with a banana seat and a basket for my dog. Maybe with pink tassels too and a bell. Your post makes me long for that day to come. Tear:(
Hey- it was good to see you.
i don't know of any good stories off the top of my head but thank you for taking me down memory lane. I really miss my red and purple banana seat with streamers!
i love those old bikes!!! thay are so cute! i totaly wish i had one!!!
I think we had the same Christmas! My sisters and I all got used bikes for Christmas one year. They too had the banana seats and baskets. Good times those days were. . .
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