I completely understand what you are saying and my mother and older relatives used to do the same thing. Now that I am older I find myself doing something similar with my boys now 😀. I also understand more now than ever, that my mother and older relatives did what they did to ensure we showed appreciation for what we had and did not forget that it could always be worse in other ways as well.

Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs is a real kicker.