“THANK YOU, God, for our life experiences.”
My daughter, Billie, had a paper route when she was eight years old. Billie's Dad and I could hardly believe it when she told us that she had a paper route. Her Dad just put his face in his hands, and was probably thinking that it was too much responsibility for someone her age. It taught her so much about life, relationships, true responsibility and made her fall in Love with elderly people. Billie wanted to show her Dad and me, that she was filled with responsibility.
Billie kept her paper route until she was seventeen years old. All through those years, she used a wagon, bicycle, skateboard, and eventually her own car to deliver newspapers.
Billie's Dad and I would help her with the route, especially, on Wednesday and Sunday because the newspapers were so thick. Those were some of the best days of my life! I truly enjoyed watching my little daughter work hard, and learn about true responsibility.
Billie saved enough money from her paper route to buy a Schwinn Traveler III ten speed bicycle.She had the money in her savings account. Billie's Dad and I offered to buy the bicycle for her but she told us that she wanted to purchase it herself. She asked us to take her savings account book to the bank while she was at school, and buy the bicycle for her.
When she came home from school at 3:00pm, she went downstairs, and there was her brand new, shiny blue Schwinn Traveler III bicycle. We left the tags on the bicycle, and placed her savings account book over the gear shift. It was such a great feeling to know that she had worked so hard to pay for this bicycle herself!
As parents, we could not understand why Billie wanted a men’s bicycle that was so large. She told us there were two reasons for the type, and size of bicycle she bought. First of all, she did not want to ever outgrow something that expensive and beautiful. Secondly, she knew that if she ever wanted to sell the bicycle that it would have a greater value, and demand since it was a men’s bicycle. I must admit, Billie looked like a little cricket riding that bicycle! She liked it so much! Billie still has the Schwinn Traveler III bicycle, a Schwinn 5 speed bicycle that her oldest sister, Linda bought for her, and a Radio Flyer wagon! She still has all three of these paper route“vehicles!” They are all in fantastic condition and have been kept inside.
Being around so many different types of people on this paper route at such a young, and impressionable age has not ever left Billie. She shared a lot of joy, and tears each day on her route. There were people that passed away, and newborns on their way.
I thank God for allowing my daughter, Billie, to have the experience of delivering newspapers, learning about true responsibility, and bonding with the elderly.
Do you have a special childhood memory that you are thankful for?
1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton
