Appreciative

I was not raised to be lazy.
Nor expected what I wanted,
To appear in my hands on demand.
Even though I had been told,
By those who didn't know...
My mother was the one,
To make sure her children...
Would not become,
Kids to believe...
Life to live was just done to have fun.
No.
She used her humor,
For us to compete for her affection.
And her method used was very effective!
With a mix of discipline.
To dare to disobey.
Talking back and the rolling of eyes?
I learned to do that,
When safely outside with other kids to play.

These days as I have aged.
I choose to stay appreciative.
And blessed to feel with effort made,
I can achieve my endeavors.
To get and receive.
Without taking for granted or have believe,
I deserve to be given...
Whatever it is I want to get.
With a welcoming of disappointments.
To move on to have no regrets.
Or feel entitled.
Because...
I sat to want with this to wish,
Without a finger to lift.
Like so many today,
Accustomed to sit and complain.
About others who were lucky enough,
To grow up poor living in the projects.
And getting everything they wanted.
From parents that made them,
Work for every penny, nickel and dime.
Then to pretend...
Living in the ghetto,
Could be the best experience...
Any child could have.

And...
As I look back,
To believe rats and roaches...
Were my closest of friends.
So much I have learned,
To be appreciative and blessed...
For those lessons I've learned in my life!

'You grew up, how?'

Loving to enjoy what I had.
And not what it was I didn't.

'That's crazy!'

That too I did not take for granted.
To grow and age to now appreciate!
And...
Guess what?

'What?'

Chicken butts if cooked well?
You couldn't tell if it was roast beef or ham!
For real.