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Oakley Stamps’ letter to Laura Ingalls Wilder, “Little House on the Prairie”

Dear Laura Ingalls Wilder,

I had often wondered when I was little what it would be like if I was alive a long time ago.  No school?  No chores?  It was exactly the opposite in the Little House on the Prairie set.  Your book showed me how easy I have everything – a good shelter, transportation, no money troubles, and a caring, loving family.  My perspective of life changed to a view of me basically being in paradise.

I am now more thankful for everything that I receive in life because Laura’s family made me feel a ping of guilt in my greedy actions.  I am more thankful for all the small things that I receive.  A smile on one of my friends’ or family’s face makes me feel good inside.  I do not look for a good life in material things so much anymore.  I know that there are lots of people today that do not have enough money to buy what they need.

It makes me feel good to know that I have a loving family that does their best to make me happy and will listen to my point of view.  Knowing that Laura had to follow almost everything that her parents said, it made me understand more of why some people are restricted from doing a lot of things today that I am allowed to do.

I learned that people who make millions of dollars can be less happy than people that have a little bit of money.  My family and I have been through different times with money.  My mom was laid off for about a year and we had less money, but I still got everything I needed and a lot of what I wanted.  Thinking of the way Laura’s family went through all the hard times, I think, in a way, that it was better when we didn’t have as much money because we all put in our part to not spend as much and became well bonded.

Parts of your book made me think about how my life would be different without all the modern technologies that we have today that people didn’t have back in the time of this series.  I think I would definitely be more physically fit, walking to school every day from the country and helping with all the back-breaking chores.  Once I tried jogging a few miles to my friend’s house and I could barely make it.  If everyone wasn’t sitting in front of the TV all the time, we’d all bond a lot better.

Most of all the book taught me a lesson:  next time I complain about having to do something such as vacuuming the house or doing chores for my mom and dad, I will always remember about Laura and how she lived.  Your stories have inspired me to love my life, family, and friends and be thankful for what I have.

Sincerely,
Oakley Stamps