She Strengthens

The Hard Lesson of Appreciation

Growing up, I had a reputation for being careless with my belongings. From losing shirts and shorts at summer camp to misplacing textbooks and library books at school, I was a master of misplacement. My parents often had to foot the bill for my carelessness, and I’m surprised they didn’t give up on me entirely.

A Precious Gift

But one day, my mom entrusted me with a beautiful pair of diamond earrings. I was 16, and I promised her I wouldn’t lose them. I wore them everywhere, from the gym to bed, and I thought I had finally grown out of my careless phase. That was until I lost one of the earrings in class.

Panic Sets In

I searched high and low, retracing my steps and scouring every inch of my bedroom and the entire house. I even took my car to the car wash and vacuumed it from top to bottom. But the earring was gone. I knew I had to tell my mom, and her reaction was heartbreaking. I never received any jewelry from her again, and my grandmother also stopped giving me gifts.

A Pattern of Carelessness

As I grew older, I became obsessed with costume jewelry, which I inevitably lost or broke within months of owning. But I didn’t care because it was cheap and easily replaceable. However, I never lost sight of the importance of appreciating nice things.

A Second Chance

Ten years after losing my mom’s earrings, I asked to borrow another pair for a friend’s wedding. My mom was hesitant, but eventually relented. I wore them to the wedding and returned them safely, and I thought I had finally redeemed myself. As a reward, my mom gave me one of my grandmother’s old necklaces.

A Reality Check

But then I lost the necklace, too. I felt like I was 16 again, and my heart sank. It wasn’t until I found the necklace on the ground outside my apartment that I realized I still had a lot to learn. Just because I was getting older didn’t mean I was becoming more responsible. Responsibility stems from appreciation, and I needed to appreciate the value of the things I owned.

A Newfound Appreciation

It’s been almost a year since then, and I’ve come to realize that I need to be more mindful of my belongings. I’ve learned to appreciate the value of nice things and take care of them. I’m lucky to have what I have, and I’m especially grateful for the things that were passed down to me from my grandmother.

A Lesson for Life

Being young is not an excuse for carelessness. I could have learned this lesson at 12, but instead, I’m learning it in my late 20s. It’s never too late to start being more mindful and responsible, and I’m determined to make a change.