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Gratitude
My Dad's reaction to my ethical practice of becoming a vegan was met with
dislike, to put it mildly. He is a fisherman, so my sister and I grew up
consuming the flesh of fish and other kinds of meats. When I told him that
our family's staple food is no longer consistent with my new practice of
eating, it took him awhile to adjust to the fact. My Mom and sister, though,
accepted it with more ease. My sister is a vegetarian and she was glad to
see that I had changed my eating habits. While it was disconcerting to my
Mom that I had given up meat, especially fish, she was mainly concerned that
it might cause dissension in the family. I understand that now, but I
insisted on practicing veganism. Even after the arguments that I went
through with my parents over the topic, I appreciate the acceptance that I
get from them now on this issue.
I am confined to a wheelchair due to a gunshot wound that happened when I
was a teenager, so my gratitude runs deep here, because I have to rely on
all of my family to be able to stay vegan. I now live with my sister, who is
a vegetarian, and my brother-in - law. My sister accommodates my vegan diet
by buying vegan frozen foods, desserts, soaps, and more for me. She allowed
me to adopt a dog (Roxy),and lets her live with me in their house. My sister
also makes me breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (within the confines of a
vegan diet) that help me to be able to live this lifestyle. When she buys
food for me (I have informed her about some animal ingredients to watch out
for), she is totally accommodating. She also helps me to buy any animal
rights shirts I want to get, and my sister will send letters to those that
harm animals that I also write to. I feel that without this assistance, I
couldn't maintain the ability to contribute to society as a vegan. I am
grateful for all her kind help.
My Mom and Dad now accept that I am a vegan for life more than they did when
I lived with them. I have proven that because I have been a vegan for nine
years. My Mom bought me a lot of vegan cookbooks over the years, and she
makes me recipes from them and other recipes I see on the Internet whenever
I visit her. She even bakes goodies for me to take home. My Mom takes me to
a health food store on weekends called "Mother's Market," and we shop there
for vegan food and other vegan products. You can also eat there, so I am
able to get vegan dishes there, too. My Mom eats better now than before my
transition to the vegan way, and I think it's because of the way my sister
and I eat. When she is around either of us (and we are eating) the food is
always at least vegetarian, but she really doesn't mind eating that way.
I am an adoptive parent of chickens and turkeys, and my Mom helps me keep
track of their monthly payments. When my Dad goes to the bank, he takes
money out of my bank account to pay for them. It is a good feeling to be
able to save the lives of my three birds, and this is another time I am
grateful to my parents for helping me to do this important thing. Someone in
my position would have to feel gratitude because of the understanding I
receive from my family, as they help me fulfill my reach toward complete
veganism.
Shawn C.
California
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