Mrs. Morgan just be glad ya ain't got nothing!

“Mrs. Morgan...

by Robert S. Forester

just be glad ya ain't got nothing!"

Some stories are worthy of being handed down from generation to generation... some are not. As for my family, this one makes the cut.

I distinctly remember my grandmother recounting this story! And, I recall my mother reminding me of the story, as often as it was applicable… which might have been more than a few times! It was originally handed down to my grandmother from my great-grandmother. Accuracy isn’t in question here… because my great-grandmother WAS Mrs. Morgan! The phrase, "Just be glad you ain't got nothing!" became one of those family sayings that just seemed to fit many occasions… sometimes, when we wanted something that we couldn’t afford, but mostly when hearing of some extravagance, luxury, or lavish lifestyle. It would always bring a smile! My great-grandmother, Josephine Scott Morgan, lived from 1873 to 1955. These dates are factual. Going forward, however, I have given my best effort to fill in the details. As for the setting… this story took place around 1915 to 1920, in Houston, Texas. My grandmother and her parents lived close to the Montrose area. This date and location should help set the stage. The story goes that, after my grandmother left for school, her mother Mrs. Morgan, would occasionally visit an older woman a few houses down the street for morning coffee. This woman's name was never mentioned, but let's call her "Ms. Aida!" She was an older lady, and thought to be of greater means than my great-grandmother. At least, she "put on airs" that she was! My great-grandfather had a very nice career with the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company, as some sort of regional manager. It afforded their family a nice living… not lavish, but not lacking. Conversations over morning coffee, at some point, usually drifted towards Ms. Aida sharing about the many problems she had. I can only guess as to her trials of the day, but I was always led to believe that they were rooted in extravagance… such as issues with the household help, or her dress maker, or the weeds that were sprouting among the new plants in her flowerbeds... those kinds of things that she thought an average house wife like Mrs. Morgan would know very little about. Ms. Aida would go on and on about how she had so much on her plate. It was almost impossible for her to manage or deal with all the daily issues of her life! I can only imagine the amount of stress this poor old wealthy woman routinely had to deal with. Bless her heart! It was during one of these rants about her problems that she looked at my great-grandmother and said... "Mrs. Morgan, just be glad you ain't got nothing!" My grandmother would always laugh when she shared this story. She would joke about Ms. Aida’s ridiculous notions… thinking that having less, like the Morgan’s, would somehow make life easier. Or, that having more was the reason for her daily struggles! Whether a lot, a little, or anywhere in the middle… everyone has their share of challenges in life. It’s all about being able to see the world from the perspective of others. Personally, I think that this story is worthy of passing on down. My grandchildren will be the 5th generation. And, as I have shared with my girls, I’ll share it again… just like my mother did, and her mother did, and her mother did. And, although the story took place over 100 years ago… it is still relevant and applicable. I’ll continue the tradition, gently packaging the story with a word or two about happiness, contentment, humility, sympathy, compassion, empathy, gratitude, and thankfulness. Mrs. Morgan… Thank you for sharing!