Those closest to me know of my affinity for Cadbury's Mini Chocolate Eggs. I'm not a huge chocolate person, in fact, when given the choice I'll typically opt for dark chocolate.
But there is something about those mini eggs that make me happy.
A friend recently sent me a photo of the eggs attached in a message.
"Hooray!" I responded.
One of the reasons I like the mini eggs so much is that they only come out once a year. Once. I can't get them in July and they aren't available for Halloween, only in the spring around Easter-time. Thankfully Cadbury hasn't come out with Cadbury Mini Chocolate Pumpkins, if they did, I think my appreciation would fade.
We are spoiled in today's world. Nothing seems to be "special" anymore. You can just go out and get what you want, when you want it.
That's not how it was for me growing up, and I'm grateful that my parents taught me the value of a "want" over a "need."
I didn't need a new bike. I inherited my cousin's hand-me-down. There was something cool about riding and receiving a bike from a relative I admired. It made me feel connected.
We didn't need a VCR, we rented one from the local video store, making movie nights all that more special.
I didn't need a new outfit each month, we went school shopping in late August and if I outgrew the big items, like shoes or a jacket, then, and only then, would they be replaced.
Those August shopping trips were something I always looked forward to. We loaded up in the Vista Cruiser and headed out to the Mall of New Hampshire, two hours away from my hometown. There was a set budget and we learned the value of money and not to spend more than we had.
Today I try hard not to give my kids everything they "want" and focus more on the "needs".
Is there a roof over their heads? Yes. Do we have a healthy balance of food in the house? Yes.
Are they getting exercise, do they have social outlets ei. Friends? Yes.
Do they feel valued, loved, cared for? Yes.
I think my kids have picked up on my philosophy because they hardly ever ask for anything. My 10-year-old son's toes were recently pushing at the seam of his sneakers.
"We should get a new pair."
"I'm okay, mom."
When I asked my daughter what she wanted for her recent 8-year-old birthday, her response was,
"I know whatever you get me will be awesome, because it will be from your heart," she said.
As a recent divorcee money is tight. Anyone who has gone through it knows how hard it can be financially during the process and in the aftermath.
I'd like to think when I make my millions as a New York Times Best Selling author, and have an endless supply of money, I will continue to focus on the needs and not the wants.
We might eat healthier with the extra cash, buy more expensive foods, and travel more--I will have the ability to purchase better quality athletic gear for their sporting teams and a couple of trendy pieces so they don't feel like dorks at school, but I hope to continue to keep things simple so when the big moments happen, there is a greater appreciation.
I want my children to always share in the excitement experienced each spring when Cadbury chocolate mini eggs appear.