For the majority of my life, I have been called "spoiled" and honestly, it's quite annoying.
I grew up in a military family, as many of you all know if you've read my previous articles. My father served in the Army for 20+ years and my mom has worked a numerous amount of different jobs from daycare to nursing, to special education teacher. For some odd reason, my fellow classmates and friends always associated my military background to being rich, which is completely false, seeing as the average enlisted U.S. Army soldier salary ranges from $20,000 to around $60,000.
Growing up, I had chores like everyone else, got a job at 16 like most teenagers do, saved up my money (for the most part), and worked just as hard as many other teenagers these days do. I went to school, went to work, and stayed involved in extra curricular activities for the majority of my high school career. My parents never forced me to get a job, and in fact, they really only wanted me to focus on school, but I wanted my own money and I wanted to work, so I got a job. I never saw my parents ability to provide me with the things I needed as being "spoiled" until people swore that everything I would receive from my parents was the result of me being spoiled. I never saw myself as "spoiled", nor did I ever take for granted everything my parents were able to provide for me.
Instead, I knew that my parents worked extremely hard to be able to give my brother and I everything we needed to ensure that our lives were as stress-free as possible, and that is okay. My parents showed me what it's like to work hard, to put your time and effort into something so that you can get a reward later and I refuse to feel bad for that. I grew up watching my dad leave for 12-16 months at a time to a foreign country, not knowing if I would see him again, to protect his country and provide for his family. Why should I apologize for that? I refuse to.
I am not a "spoiled brat." Yes, I complain every now and then when something isn't how I want it. Yes, I'm particular about my stuff and sometimes I can act a little snobby but I don't, and will never, take for granted the months on end my father was gone and my mom woke up at 4 in the morning, just so she could be off in time for when my brother and I got home from school. I don't flaunt what I have, I don't ask ask ask from my parents, I'm not selfish or bitchy. Instead, I'm always grateful, I give too much sometimes, and I'm always lending a hand to my friends that need it.
I've seen what hard work can give you, and in return for all the sacrifices my parents have made for me, I work hard in school and at my jobs so they see that their sacrifices were not in vain. I'll never apologize for being blessed with my hard working parents, nor will I apologize for my parents being able to provide for me and my brother. Instead, I thank God and I work hard so that I will be able to provide for my kids the way my parents provided for me and so should you.
