Being the baby (almost)

I am number nine of ten children, which means I had a very different experience growing up than my older siblings. I'm sure I was more spoiled and evaded more punishment than the older children. Not always, but a lot..except this one time. My parents said they were going to take everyone out for doughnuts for Family Home Evening, but we wouldn't get one if we didn't finish our chores that day. I had to be no more than six or seven, so I can't imagine my chores being that difficult. But like most kids, I felt like I was being picked on and given the hardest tasks...things like helping my mom make her bed every morning, and collecting the trash once a week from all the bedrooms. Real tough, I know. Treats were VERY rare in our house growing up. (Which is why I think most of us Montgomery kids have such an insatiable sweet tooth now, but that's another story.) On this particular day I refused to do my chores. Mostly because I thought there was no way that my parents would stick to their guns and keep me from enjoying a delicious doughnut, especially since the opportunity to eat them came around once in a blue moon. I saw no reason to do my chores; I was sure I'd reap the reward along with everyone else.

Well, when evening came we all piled into the big blue van and headed to the Winchell's at Five Points (which is now a Pizza Hut Take Out). I eagerly raced into the store and admired the doughnuts through the display cases, wondering how I could possibly choose only one. My parents skipped over me as they took orders so I spoke up, only to learn they hadn't forgotten their promise. They refused as I protested and whined, holding true to their word. I would not get a doughnut.

The funniest part to me (now, not then of course) is that I remember my parents had even gotten a dozen doughnuts to go and when we got home I pulled out the plastic wrap and thought I could save one for myself to eat the next day. I thought, "Surely the punishment is only for today. It will end at the stroke of midnight and I'll be able to enjoy a doughnut tomorrow, but if I don't save it now it will be gone in the morning." And...I was quickly shut down. What??? The injustice! That's child abuse! How could they be so cruel?

I'd like to say I've learned my lesson, that I've gotten a little wiser as I've grown, but from time to time I still think I deserve a reward without any action or effort on my part. Does anyone else feel that way? Or is it just me, the spoiled "almost baby" of the family?