In today’s society, spoiled has become a degrading term used for those who have more “stuff” than others do. I wish people didn’t think this way because being spoiled means so much more to me. I will proudly say to anyone that I am spoiled because it’s true. Ever since I was young, I’ve been spoiled with the best — the best parents, the best family, the best friends, the best opportunities. Being spoiled is simply just another term for being blessed, and thanks to my parents, I have lived the most spoiled life anyone could ever imagine.
From the very beginning, my parents always made it look so easy: balancing full time jobs, grad school, two kids, pets, bills, moving, and anything else that dropped in along the way. But as I grew older, I realized how much they gave up for my brother and I to be spoiled. They gave up vacations, sleep, dream homes, job possibilities, and much more so I could grow up living a fantastic life, worry free. I always wonder how they did it, but here’s how it all adds up in my head.
They started by spoiling me with love. Not a single day went by without them telling me that they love me and showing it to me in some sort of way. I’m sure I didn’t realize that’s what they were doing when I was younger, but looking back, I can pick out every little scenario where they showed us their love. It was as simple as making us all sit at the dining room table and eat dinner together and asking to share how our days at school were, or taking the dog for a walk up and down the neighborhood all together. Now a decade later, they still show us they love us in those little ways. Of course, now that my brother and I are 19 and 23, living our lives away from our parents, they have to find different ways to do so. So, family group chats and pictures of our pets at home suffice for what we can’t share in person.
They spoiled me by giving me the opportunity to make my own mistakes. It’s true when they say that your mom can spot a bad friend before you can because she did. But, that didn’t stop her from taking me over to that certain person’s house and letting me invite them to my birthday parties. Later on, when that friend ditched me, she was there again to let me cry on her shoulder. The first time I ever did something irresponsible, my dad just laughed it off. As I was sitting there bawling my eyes out, thinking that I was a horrible person for doing something that all teenagers do, my dad laughed at me. He said, “Well, I was waiting for this to happen, and now you realize that you probably shouldn’t do that again.” I can happily say that I have never made that same mistake again.
They spoiled me by showing me the value of hard work. My parents have never been the type of people who expect anything to be handed to them. They’ve worked incredibly hard for what we have and that’s what they taught me to do. They’re the kind of parents that told me that I didn’t have to get a job if I didn’t want to, but if I wanted nice things, that’s the way I’d get them. When I was in high school, they always told me, “Just do your best.” and that’s the reason I got accepted into my dream college. I felt, and still feel, as though pushing myself to be the best I can possibly be is something that I owe to them. They have always given me their best, so I should do the same for them. Because of them, my brother and I have both exceled in ways I didn’t even know would be possible. Good things do not come to those who wait; good things come to those who work their buns off to get them.
Lastly, they spoiled me by giving me everything I ever needed and more. I will be the first one to admit, I do have a lot of “stuff”, and I take none of it for granted. I know that if my parents hadn't given up so much, that my brother and I wouldn’t have gotten all of the opportunities we’ve had. Attending colleges that many other kids dream of attending, going abroad to places our parents have never even been, going on vacations with our friends while our parents sit at home and wait for us to return, keeping family traditions going every year for holidays, no excuses, these are all things other kids would love to have. Not all kids grow up with parents that let them have birthday parties every year, drive them anywhere at any time of day, and treating them with something that they’ve been wanting. But my parents did that for us.
Yes, I am spoiled. Yes, I am proud. Being spoiled does not mean that I am a spoiled rotten princess. It doesn’t mean I expect everything to go exactly how I want it to. It does not mean that I think the world revolves around me. But for my whole life, my parents’ world has revolved around my brother and I and giving us everything they could. Growing up in a household full of love and laughter will always be something I cherish most about my life. Being spoiled with such amazing parents is truly a blessing and I would never want it any other way. So, if you think that being spoiled is something to be ashamed of, then you’ve got it all wrong. Spoiling your loved ones should be something you strive to do, and when they spoil you back, you should be eternally grateful. Mom and Dad, thank you for spoiling us. I hope that one day I get to spoil my kids the way you did for me.
