Pride logo

Hang onto your pride.

Without it, you lose your guide...

By Russell Ormsby Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 3 min read
5
Hang onto your pride.
Photo by Austin Kehmeier on Unsplash

As I arise contemplating the parade that passed before my eyes, I pause to ponder, among the wonder, what Pride means to me.

Always half-hidden behind the front door. Never open too wide, they'll see we are poor. Second-hand clothes, battered and worn. Shoeless feet, on cold wooden floors.

Sleeves pulled over, ice frozen fingers. The threat of another flu always lingers. Walking to school through frost and through fog. Beware the bullies, on tender naked feet, to avoid them we must jog. The gravel rocks on frozen roads never fail to bite, as our antagonists hurl stones and insults from their bikes.

The lunches we take are bland, the bread is rough. Eating in shame is always tough. Every subject has an exercise book crisp and new, in our case we are forced to share one between two. Some teachers show frustration with our lack of stationery. To borrow an eraser you have to swallow your pride as if you don’t have any.

Accusations wildly fly when things go astray. Just because we are poor doesn't mean we are inclined that way? Still, there is no apology for putting your integrity up for judgment or display. Then they wonder why towards them, you behave that way?

Being poor makes you the least likely to be believed. No matter how many school awards you might have achieved. It’s never your family name that gets the credit. That accolade always goes to the school for helping you make it.

Always having to mask your true fortune. Friends wonder why you don't always support them? It's not that you don't want to attend their birthdays. But you do your best to celebrate them in other ways. People without much, will always be there when you're down on your luck. If it's something important that you lack, they will try to ease your pain, even offer the shirt off their back.

Toys are no more than just a fantasy, food is a far more important commodity. Laughter and singing are in abundance because it's free. Sibling companionship and dancing are your other reality. Trips away from home are to share with distant family. A vacation abroad is something done only by the wealthy

Our parents demand our respect it would seem. They also go without, to afford what is sometimes considered, just a dream. They put the roof over our heads and food in our bellies. They even surprised us once, by hiring an old telly.

The faithful family car always gets us around, but there were times when our father walked to work, till money for gas was found. When our mother became too ill to work, he had to get rid of the car, to meet our needs he would walk, no matter how far.

Although we are too young to fully understand. They teach us to have pride in ourselves, to respect our elders, and never demand. To be honest and charitable whatever to us that could mean. Since we have running water in the house, there is no reason not to be clean.

Now that they have passed over to the other side, the most precious thing they have left us, is our pride. I am proud to have had them in my life, to have had them by my side. Holding on to their teachings by which I still abide.

They may not have had riches, money, or gold, but the love that they instilled in us will never grow cold.

Pride does not always come, just because of wealth. Pride is in all of us, regardless of health. When others step on our pride, it still hurts, because sometimes pride, is all we have of any worth.

When our pride is deemed by others to be nothing more than meaningless. Those are the very ones who should learn to mind their own business.

Try to be content with the wealth that you have made. I am happy that you didn't have to go through life the way I have. May you always be able to hold your head up with pride. But know that I'm there with you in spirit, if it turns into a rough ride.

Throughout the years my pride has grown, thanks mainly to the many great people, that I have known. I've worked hard to ensure that my family didn't have to live, to bear the weight of the life that I had to otherwise give.

Bless you all and keep inside, a semblance of yourself, that you can carry with pride.

Humanity
5

About the Creator

Russell Ormsby

Hello, let’s escape to somewhere different.

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

  2. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  3. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  1. Expert insights and opinions

    Arguments were carefully researched and presented

  2. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  3. On-point and relevant

    Writing reflected the title & theme

Add your insights

Comments (3)

Sign in to comment
  • Dharrsheena Raja Segarran2 years ago

    Wow this was beautiful! Loved your rhyming words

  • Babs Iverson2 years ago

    Beautiful & brilliant!!!💖💕

  • Cathy holmes2 years ago

    This is beautiful.

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

© 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.