Last edited Mon Jun 9, 2014, 12:52 AM - Edit history (2)
I was taught to work for what you have, and always try your best and to see the good in people. That part about working for what you have though a good trait, at one point was leading me in the wrong direction. A place I'm happy to say I'll never see again.
Being 16 working at grocery store, and seeing man pay with food stamps was infuriating to me. I'd ask myself why can't these people work. One day during dinner conversation I made a joke about it, and I was expecting my father to laugh and agree with me. But he did not he looked at me and slightly frowned. A religious man, very religious was my father.
I asked aren't we supposed to work for what we have. He said yes to me, but then he added what if we're not given the opportunities to work for what we have. I had never thought of that, I was 16 and perhaps a complete idiot at the time. He said what do your mother and I do after church every Sunday.
They would go with the people from the church and feed people near downtown Dallas. They were feeding the homeless and the needy.
And as our conversation was coming to an end. My father said to me remember last year when you had your Appendix and Gall Bladder removed.
Of course I did I was the one who had the surgery. I laughed.
My father said I work for what we have, but I could not afford the cost of your procedure. My father was illegal at the time, with luck and determination a citizen now. My father always paid his taxes even while being illegal. The SS and Medicare signed of on paying my surgery because my dad paid his taxes. He said in his broken English, I help the government a little bit and they keep you here with me.
The teachings of a father who sacrificed very much to give his family a good life. That is why I will always be a Liberal.
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