The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-07-11
One Family
Enjoys Life
Though Poor
BY R LEI

In these days when every man
seems to be striving TO Guido his
neiehbor. when hardshipS seem
reason enough for dropping the
whole burden of marriage, when
standards OF valuation upon things,
ideas and people are based almost
entirely on material wealth., it is
a joy to find a family which has
pulled through completely, without
ever being touched by the standards
of others.
Material wealth is marvellous to
have. It can buy so many lovely
things. It can provide so many
pleasures. When properly used, 1t
can be such a JOY.
But it does seem the value OF
having money has grown in such
leaps and bounds, our idea OF 1t
is out of all proportions. Things
that are far more beautiful, l@r
more capable of giving happiness
are pooh-poohed. We all seem to
be climbing toward the same goal
money and more money. Or at
least enough to make other people
think there are untapped resources
where that came from.
Appetite Has Grown
Our appetite for luxuries has
grown much faster than our power
to provide the wherewithal for those
luxuries. We all pick out the most
pretentious house in the neighoor-
hood. and set u standard of houses
bv that. We choose the mode of
living practiced by the wealthieSt
family and spend the rest OF our
days striving for a similar mooe.
Or whining because some people
have all the luck.
And yet the happiness derived
from having the money to go places
and do things, to have u llVes
padded with luxuries and palpltat-
ing with expensive thrills and pleas
Ires can't hold a candle to the hap
piness derived from making the
most of what We have.
That does not necessarily mean
contentment with what we have. IL
does not mean the end of ambition.
It simply means a realization OF our
own limitations and a resolution 10
be happy in spite Of them.
I refer to a letter 1 received.
near Miss Lee-I have to laugh at all
the Young married folks who are arguing
and ouarreling about the trivial things
most of them do. They make sucn d
foolish start of it all. trying constantly tc
heat their friends with a better house. a
better automobile. a finer wardrobe. hap
niness can not be built on a basis Ike
that. They get in debt. and the mental
agonv causes them to be ouarrelsome ana
irritable. And after all. all the Injuries
are not worth losing their love for eacn
other.
NV husband and I have been married
thirty years. We have ten children. he
is a laborer and has worked all his lie
for what would be considered an insult
fcient salary. We have reared our children,
educated them as far as high school. n
are Just finishing buying our WI home.
And vet my husband makes just a little
more a month than some of these young
people pay for a months rent.
I'm not praising us especially. I just
wanted to let others know that there are
people on earth who nave practically
nothing in material goods and yet have
happiness. peace. ~contentment and health.
NY husband and I never have been to q
motion picture show. We can not afford
such luxuries. But we have ten healthy
children that make life move faster I'll
bet then those pictures do. I just wanted
to tell YOU about us. HAPPY WIFE.
There is a man and woman with a
genius for living. Would you say
the man lacked ambition? I hardly
think so. He has reared ten chill
dren, supported and educated them,
and is buying a house or a salary
that would not pay most peoples
grocery bill for a week.
It's like a spring tonic to hear of
such as these.