A Penny Piece of Bubble Gum

When my Mother came to visit a couple of weeks ago, she told me a story from when she was working to support my brother and myself. She was allowed 20 dollars a week at the time, and rent was 12.50 a week Needless to say it left very little for luxuries such as food.

One Saturday, she took us walking the couple of blocks to the grocery store with her. My brother was just over two at the time, and he pulled at her skirt while they were at the store. Mom leaned over to see what he wanted, and he said... "Mom, when you get some money, could I have that?" She looked to see where he was pointing... it was a penny bubble gum machine. Even at that young age, he knew that every cent counted and that the purchase of penny gum was something to plan for and have as a special treat.

Mom never forgot that. A few years later, she remarried and although things were still not great money wise, we never went hungry or wanted for necessities. Our new Dad loved us and cared for us as if we were his own.

One day, after we had reached our teens, Mom was at the grocery store for our weekly shopping. There was a young mother in the check out line ahead of her with two small children. It was obvious from the items in her cart, that she was being very careful and trying to get enough food and as good a variety of foods as she could. Mom noticed the items and that there were no frills, and only very inexpensive and low cost brands. When the foods were rung up, the woman counted out her money, and was short... by eighteen cents, even though she had put back several items.. The cashier said she would hold the foods until the woman could come back with the remainder of the money.

As Mom stood and watched, she remembered my brother.. and his request for a penny piece of bubble gum... and she took out her coin purse, and handed the woman the eighteen cents. The woman, hesitated in taking it, and my mother said.... "That's my son's bubble gum... "

If Mom had not had a hard time as a young mother, she might not have been so understanding of the situation. Many people alive now have no concept of having to count your potatoes to see if you can make it through the week feeding your kids... and the ones who do understand.. .. Well, they are living it.. Look around you. There are people who spend their money carefully to try to make it stretch... for that one piece of bubble gum to make their children smile. It isn't the price that counts, it's the love.