Ok, as a kid I was mostly broke until I started to mow lawns and shovel snow for the neighbors.
We knew we WANTED gifts especially at Christmas. However, realizing it is better to give than to receive, we as kids were in a dilemma. Yes, we did the gift certificate thing drawing up a piece of paper promising to "wash the dishes" for a year or "take out the garbage". However that felt weak giving that gift as we knew were supposed to do those chores anyway. At least it was something to give but maybe with not the best motive.
I had needed to create something. Now, I was not a talented artist like my grandson is today but I came up with the idea of giving my mother a little comic book that would detail the life of being a kid. I copied the image of Charlie Brown from Charles Schulz the best I could and the Peanuts comics and created my own Walnut Series making me as the Charlie Brown character and incorporating me into the kid adventures. I loved Charlie Brown.
It did not cost me any money just my time. Luckily, my Mom saved my little comic books I made in a little box (see picture) and she returned them all to me to keep during the last years of her life.
Being inspired through Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist and Dr. Paula McDonald as this month's Active Rain Blog challenge to share the joy of giving, I thought I would share some pages of my moneyless child comic books written as a gift to my mother.
I have to admit I did like to get gifts as a child especially the money bought ones like my 500 piece army soldier set as seen in the Sears Catalog, a gift which must have been a nuisance to my mother, especially when the battles were scattered over the living room carpet and the stairs. I received those soldiers for Christmas even though Mom knew these battles were looming.
The toy soldiers are long gone, however the moneyless kid comic books live on in that little box kept by my mother which I now have had on my own bookshelf the past several years. There was joy on both ends giver and receiver alike.... back in the day.
I miss you Mom.
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