The pandemic has been hard for many families, and millions are out of work and struggling to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.
One California-based family was in dire straits. They were down to their last $12, and didn’t know where to turn or what would happen next. But now, they have both a a new car and a new home —and they have an eight-year-old hero to thank for their reversal of fortune!
An eight-year-old entrepreneur
Aaron Moreno, his mother and two other family members were in a bad place. In fact, they were living in a shed in East Los Angeles. At only eight years old, Aaron decided to take the matters in his own hands. He founded Aaron’s Garden, his own plant business, in June, KABC reported.
“He came [up] with the idea of selling plants and starting a
business in his yard to be a provider, and [to] buy his own Hot Cheetos with
cheese without having to ask his mom for money,” a GoFundMe supporting Aaron said.
The business, like the goal, started small – at first, Aaron had eight little plants.
But business constantly got better, and then he earned some pretty awesome cash, in addition to $31,000 raised from the GoFundMe.
His mom also got a part-time job, and now the family is in a whole new place. Literally!
“I feel happier because we don’t have to struggle as much as before,”
Aaron told KABC
Upgrading his whole family's situation
In October, he bought his mother a car, and, a month later, the family moved out of their shed and into an apartment.
“I never thought we could accomplish and come this far… we
couldn’t believe that we got a house,” mom Berenice Pacheco told KABC. “I
admire him for everything he has been able to do that I haven’t as a mom.”
In beautiful news, the new income also means Aaron’s sister Ayleen Pacheco was able to move back to California to be with her family after two years in Mexico, where she’d been living with her grandmother because of her family’s money problems.
I’m just so proud of my brother because he was the one who got me back.
Ayleen told KABC
Now Aaron is using the family’s new garage for Aaron’s Garden.
“I think the best thing for me.. well, everything has been the best, but is that Aaron got to reunite us with his older sister with the money he received,” Pacheco told KABC. “And he’s just been doing everything for us. And he’s like the man of the house.”
Facing adversity with an empowered mindset
Aaron's determination and mindset reminds us that, when faced with seemingly unsurmountable challenges, we can choose to focus on what we can control.
When we start taking action, even through baby steps, we realize how resourceful we actually are. And those baby steps can end up moving mountains.
More uplifting news:
- Brooklyn Landlord Cancels Rent For Hundreds Of Tenants, Setting An Unprecedented Example For Others
- A State Trooper Pulled Over A Doctor For Speeding But Gave Her N95 Masks Instead
- Landlord Saves Family From Homelessness After Father Lost His Job
- Doctor Couple Cancel Their Wedding to Keep Fighting Coronavirus Together
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.