Hey, to all those people who are struggling, this may help make you guys feel more appreciative. I'm writing this because there were many moments in my life where I wanted more than what I needed. Like a bigger home or nicer things. This one-shot may just come as a message and all.

I do not own any of these characters besides PJ.

"Here we are, Junior," Isabella spoke from the driver's seat. PJ sat in the passenger side playing on his Nintendo Max, but he looked up from his game and smiled a bit. Since his father was busy at his workshop, and his mother would be out with a few friends at the mall, PJ had to be left in the care of his maternal grandmother, Vivian.

"Thanks, mom" PJ spoke before giving his mother a goodbye kiss and hug. He was happy to spend the day with his maternal grandmother. Between all of his grandparents, he found Vivian to be his second favorite. His first obviously being Linda, but since she was at the antique shop with Lawrence, that left PJ with no other choice but to stay with his Abuela for the day, which he didn't mind at all. He loved his grandmother and was happy to spend the day with her.

He watched as his mother's car drove off. He turned as he approached the front door of his grandmother's home. He was prepared for the exaggerated greeting his grandmother was going to give him like always.

PJ took a deep breath before he rang the doorbell. Moments later, a woman answered. She was tanned skinned with hair that was black with small streaks of grey.

She smiled as she knelt and hugged her young guest. "Oh, Junior, oh how I missed you. It has been so long since the last time I saw you."

PJ raised an eyebrow. "Grandma, you saw me last week."

"I know right, it has been so long." She laughed before she laid a multitude of kisses on PJ's cheek, causing him to groan, but he returned the gesture by giving his grandmother a kiss and a hug. He pulled back and Vivian motioned him inside.

"Come in, Nieto," she spoke happily. PJ smiled and entered. Even though he has been to his grandmother's house many times, he was still amazed from the inside. The living room looked so bright and decorated, and Mexican colors everywhere. There was a TV set on one end, and a couch facing it on the other. Above the couch was many frames of his mother, dating back to when she was just a baby.

"Take a seat and I'll get you something to eat," Vivian spoke. PJ grinned as he sat down on the couch. He played with his thumbs for a bit until a delicious scent caught his attention. His grandmother entered the living room with a plate of her homemade enchiladas, which PJ absolutely adored. His mouth began to water as his grandmother set the plate on the coffee table in front of him, before giving him a fork.

"Thanks, Grandma," he spoke. Vivian cooed and planted a kiss on his forehead before taking a seat next to him.

She folded her legs and began asking questions. "So hon, how have you been? You doing good in school?"

PJ took a bite of his food before nodding at his grandmother. Once he swallowed, he spoke. "Everything is going great, Grandma. In fact, I got all As this quarter."

Vivian smiled. "That's great, dear! You are good to your parents, right?"

PJ rolled his eyes. "Yes, Grandma, no matter how annoying they can be."

Vivian chuckled, "You remind me so much of your mother that way. She would always groan and make a fuss whenever I would treat her like a baby."

PJ smirked. "Well, I guess that's how parents are, huh?" The two laughed before PJ changed the subject. It was something he wanted to talk to his grandmother about for a long time but never found the right time.

"So, Grandma, I was just curious, what was it like for you growing up?"

PJ's curious expression turned into a worried one as he noticed his grandmother's face feel after he asked her that question.

"What's wrong?' PJ asked worriedly, setting aside his plate of enchiladas to comfort his grandmother. Vivian simply looked up and gave him a sad smile before speaking up.

"PJ, have your parents ever explained about other people?"

PJ raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean how there are not many unfortunate kids out there."

PJ looked around in confusion. Of course, he had heard stories of kids in third-world countries who have battled starvation and feared war and persecution, as well as kids who live in the inner-cities of America, especially in a big city like Danville, which though is a great city, has its fair share of bad areas. However, what does that have to do with PJ's grandmother?

"Grandma, was your childhood difficult?" PJ asked.

"Oh hon," Vivian stood up, holding PJ's hand. PJ's stood up and walked with her towards the front door. As they neared Vivian's old car, she spoke. "I am going to take you to a place that may look scary, but I am going to reassure you that you will be safe. Promise me you will not tell your mother."

PJ looked nervous but reluctantly agreed as he hopped into the passenger seat of his grandmother's car. Vivian walked over to the other side and hopped into the driver's seat. After starting up the car, she drove off with her grandson. The ride took around 30 minutes, and on the way there, PJ began to feel so many butterflies in his stomach. The further they went, the crummier their surroundings would be. It felt as if they were driving to the other side of Danville, a side in which PJ had never seen before.

"Where are we going, Grandma," PJ asked, his voice laced with fear.

"We're almost to our destination, which is the place I grew up in."

PJ's eyes widened with curiosity. His grandma was taking him to her childhood home, but looking at the neighborhood they were entering, it didn't look pleasant in the slighted. There was trash everywhere, graffiti all over the windows of the stores, and the houses looked so run down, with some of them having broken windows.

"Ignore those people, honey. They will not hurt you.'

PJ did not know what his grandmother was referring to until he noticed a gang of guys with hoodies glancing up at them as they drove by. PJ blushed as he looked upon a corner where badly dressed girls crooked a finger at him. He gulped and turned away from them until they were out of sight.

"Grandma, I'm scared." PJ finally spoke up.

"Don't worry, dear. We're almost to my old building. In fact, we are here."

PJ looked up at the hideously tall building that was referred to as the "projects." Multiple windows upon that building with broken and there were vulgar words written all over the entrance. Dear lord is THIS where Vivian grew up in.

"Grandma, what is this place?" PJ asked. He was trembling with fear.

"This is the place I grew up with hon," Vivian spoke before sighing. There were a lot of memories she had in this side of Danville ever since her family immigrated here when she was 10. She remembered growing up wanting to make something of herself. She also wanted to own her own home and raise a family, and most of all, she wanted to make friends, as no one in this neighborhood or at the school she attended wanted to be friends with her.

"Grandma, this place is not a good place to live. I can't believe you manage to BEAR the thought of living here."

Vivian looked crossly at her grandson before reaching over to store his cheek. "Honey, growing up, I never had the idea of what it would be like to live in an ordinary house, so to me, this was normal. Having a cramped space felt right for me until I left for college. That's when I met your Grandma Linda and I managed to get a good job, get married, and then moments later, I had your mother."

"Wow," PJ spoke as he took one more glance of the broken-down building. He fully understood what his grandmother was talking about, and he couldn't fathom how she was able to grow up in a cramped space, in a very dangerous area. I guess this is what his grandmother meant of how not many kids are as lucky as he is.

There were moments in PJ's life where he would complain of what he didn't have, now he's wondering what those kids would not give just to have a house that is as big as his, with a safe environment, and perhaps a loving family.

"Grandam, thanks for the tour, but can we go home now. I'm getting scared," PJ spoke, shaking with fear.

Vivian nodding and drove off, entering the freeway in order to get back to Maple Drive.

Throughout the entire drive there, PJ was deep in thought. He understood just how badly people in poverty had to struggle, so he had no idea how much his parents had to work in order to give him the life they thought he deserved. Not only that, but he developed a bigger appreciation for everything he had, especially his grandmother. He couldn't imagine how his mother's life would have turned out if Vivian hadn't been able to get herself out of the gutter.

Once they made it back to Vivian's house, Vivan pulled up in the drive and parked her car. She sighed as she got out of the vehicle with her grandson. Once she made it to the door, she turned to where PJ was but was stunned when PJ flung himself into her arms.

"PJ, what's wrong, dear," Vivian asked concernedly as she knelt to stroke PJ's cheek.

PJ looked up at her and smiled. "It's nothing, Grandma. I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for showing me how lucky I am to have everything I have right now, and I feel lucky to have an amazing family, which includes you."

Vivian cooed as she kissed PJ's cheek and hugged him. PJ returned the affection. They remained like this for about a minute until a honk got their attention. They turned to see Phineas in his car, ready to pick PJ up.

"Well, there's your father. I will see you later, hon." Vivian spoke. PJ hugged her once more before walking over to his dad's car. On the way there, he waved goodbye at his grandmother.

"Bye Grandma, I love you."

"Love you too, Bebe," Vivian called out as she waved goodbye. PJ hopped into his father's car. Phineas smiled at him and spoke.

"Hey son, how was your day?"

PJ smiled. "It was great. Grandma was fun."

Phineas nodded before his expression toned down a bit. "Listen, buddy, about your birthday, I probably won't be able to get that whole Mega-Party plan prepared, but trust me, your Uncle Ferb and I will try our best."

PJ shook his head. "No, no, dad. It's fine. If you can't, then that's alright."

Phineas raised an eyebrow. "Really?'

PJ nodded before grabbing his father's hand. "Yeah, Grandma Vivian reminded me just how lucky I am and how much other kids would wish to have the things that I have, so I shouldn't complain about a stupid party, especially when I have you and Mom."

Phineas looked shocked but proud. "Thank you, son."

PJ smiled and pulled his father in for a hug. "I'm thankful for you, dad. Thank you so much for everything."

It pulled a few of Phineas' heartstrings to hear his son say this to him. "Thank you, son. You know we do all of this because we love you."

PJ pulled back and placed a kiss on his father's cheek. "I know, and I love you too."

Thank you for reading. I just wanted to make this to send a message of being thankful, even though I myself can sometimes wish for things that I want.