"We're spoiled, but we are not spoiled brats." My best friend used to always remind me. She used to tell me that there is a HUGE difference between the two. "We are spoiled because we have a lot, but we are grateful for it and we don't take it for granted. This is why we are not spoiled brats." And of course, I always agreed with her. For an 11-year-old I thought, these are some pretty wise words. However, somewhere amongst the years, I must have forgotten these wise words or maybe I didn't even understand what she meant by them in the first place.

For Christmas of 8th grade, more than anything I wanted a Mac Laptop. You know that one thing on your list, the top thing you want more than anything? Well, this was mine. And that Christmas morning I made that very clear. Every year my Mom overdoes the whole "Christmas" thing. She works really hard to pull together the best clothing, jewelry, and shoes that my sister and I will adore.

So there I was, a bratty 8th grader opening up all my gifts with a sour p*** look on my face because none of them seemed to be the laptop I wanted, nor did I see the shape of the laptop wrapped under the tree. I'd open a trendy sweater and say something like "I love this!" in a sarcastic tone insinuating that this wasn't a laptop and I was mad about it. Yes, I know what your thinking... What a brat.

You probably think it can't get any worse, but that's where you're wrong, it can. When I finally got through all my presents acting like this, I still didn't see a laptop under the tree. So, of course, I ran into my room crying like a baby about how Christmas was ruined. I think my parents were in awe of the monster of a daughter that they had. The worse part was... They had gotten me the Mac I so badly wanted they were just waiting for me to open up the rest of my presents to surprise me at the end. Once again, I know, what a brat! Honestly, I'm still surprised to this day my Dad didn't take the Mac and throw it out the window after how I acted.

It didn't take long after my sister came into my room and told me to "cut the crap" for me to realize I was a monster. Not only did I realize I was a monster but I was also a spoiled brat. The spoiled brat my friend was always talking about.

Whenever I look back on this day I cringe. I feel horrible for the way I acted. I feel awful for the way I treated my parents, and I feel terrible for throwing a tantrum over a stupid laptop. I think becoming a spoiled brat finally made me discover what she meant between being spoiled and being a spoiled brat and the different between the two. I wish I knew earlier so I don't have to have my chops busted every year by my family not to have a repeat of the "tragic laptop Christmas". But at least I know now, and here's what I know.

I am spoiled because I have a roof over my head and food on the table. I am spoiled because I have a family who loves me. I am spoiled because I have clothes to wear. I am also spoiled because my parents can afford to buy me nice things, clothes, jewelry, shoes, school supplies, and treat me to things I don't even necessarily need. I'll be the first to admit I am spoiled. However, I am no longer a spoiled brat. I am grateful for these things, and I don't expect these things my parents give to me anymore. The "tragic laptop Christmas" will never be again, nor will anything like this occur again.

It's OK to be spoiled. Just don't be a spoiled brat.