The Purchase She Saved For Herself

Buying my own car and making the payments myself meant more than simply having a vehicle, it gave me the final piece of independence I needed to leave an abusive relationship. For the first time, I knew I had the freedom to go wherever I needed to go, on my own terms.

One of the purchases I felt proudest of was a pair of designer glasses that I paid for entirely with loose change. One Christmas, the janitor at my office, a man with learning disabilities who didn't have much, decided to give everyone a present. Mine was a plastic piggy bank from the dollar store. I kept it on my desk and started dropping in every coin I received as change. After buying coffee, groceries, or anything else, I emptied my pockets into the piggy bank. Sometimes it was just a few pennies. I didn't have a specific goal at first. I just liked seeing the small amounts slowly fill it up, and I was curious about how much I could save. Over time, the piggy bank became surprisingly heavy. When I finally cracked it open, the coins added up to enough for a pair of designer glasses. I didn't need designer anything. I just needed new frames, but it felt good to realize I had enough in coins to buy from the designer shelf. What stayed with me was not the brand. It was the humble present and the person who gave it to me. The janitor didn't have much, but he gave anyway. That cheap plastic piggy bank he gave me taught me more about generosity and discipline than anything I've ever bought.

This may seem silly to some, but I am a huge 'foodie'. I love spoiling myself and loved ones by being able to go out to up-scale restaurants and not having to worry about when the check comes. Coming from an Italian background (second generation Sicilian here), food was always a way we showed love and care for one another. Being able to celebrate by trying different cuisines is something I am proud to be able to do for myself and others.