“Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.”
~Norman Vincent Peale
I first heard about Blog Action Day my first week blogging. I think it’s a tremendous idea; people across the world, hundreds of tongues, all wagging on the same subject. I promised myself that when the day came, I’d dip my quill in ink.
Today is that day.
I cannot speak with authority about the two billion (plus) people who live in this world, surviving on less than two dollars a day. Theirs is a poverty for which I have no authentic frame of reference. Only movies, television, and other frivolities of our industrialized world have illuminated such misfortune to my eyes.
I cannot speak with authority about the characters in my country or the souls in my state who, through no fault of their own and every effort to evolve, have found themselves destitute. They have countless stories to tell, and could tell them far better than I.
In the year 2008, there is no shortage of poverty in this country. We have poverty of our minds, poverty in our government, and poverty in the methods in which we teach tomorrow’s leaders. This is too much for me to tackle now; I’d like to start with something smaller.
Today, I will discuss the poverty I know, the kind which litters the few square miles where I grew up for the first fourteen years of my life; the same square on the map where I’ve returned to live for the last seven.
When I was small, during that window when my memory is more like fuzzy analog television than HDTV, our family didn’t have much. My parents worked daily to build their small business, and every dollar mattered. Our clothes were second hand, coupons clipped for every purchase.
Before they started their business, both Mom and Pop had lost their jobs. My half sisters were living with us, we had no money coming in, and desperately needed assistance. My mom, against my father’s formidable protest, applied for welfare.
I understand my pop’s position. To me, getting a check for work I have not done, yet would be perfectly willing and able to do, would be akin to having the bottom of my foot sliced opened, horse hair sewn inside; every step an excruciating reminder that my life must alter its course.
Unable to pull ahead, and unwilling to stay behind, my parents risked it all in pursuit of a dream. They traded the security of their check for the back breaking eighty hour work weeks intrinsic to building a flower shop on a foundation of nothing. By the time I was an adolescent, the business was a success and we were able to move a few miles east.
When Daisy and I bought our first home, we came here, back to my old neighborhood, on the other side of town.
I do not speak of the hundreds of hard working families who surround us. They who get up early, work all day, and return home to the endless exhaustion of being mindful mothers and fathers.
I speak of those with big screen tv’s, bathing themselves daily in their deity’s bluish glow while waiting for the mail truck to pull curbside with their check.
This is not poverty, it is sloth.
What shatters my heart when I see this, is not that these people live off the sweat of others. That merely raises my ire. What truly kills me is that these people are teaching their children to wander inside an aimless circle rather than soar in a neat line, straight ahead.
There is often something missing in these situations; a single ingredient that could twist the tide in the opposite direction.
Fathers.
Now there is a poverty eating part of our population; they who think it’s acceptable to have a child and then leave it to chance. That is a poverty of the soul, that if enlightened, might extinguish the horrors it’s left behind.
Writer Dad
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My better half, Namas Daisy, has written a terrific post on poverty as well. You can find it here.
About Sean Platt
@WD: Exactly. If you get a chance, check out my blog, I go more into it for BAD08.
Sals last blog post..Parenting Poverty
Shit. I mean CHOOSE, not chose, responsibility and honour.
stephs last blog post..The Power of Being Open
Shit. I mean CHOOSE, not chose, responsibility and honour.
stephs last blog post..The Power of Being Open
Lovely post, WD. Thanks.
And Graham – thanks for sharing that story. With my children, just 5, 4 and 2, I’m already trying to get them to understand the concept of hungry children in places like Africa. In vain, I pull up pictures and videos on the internet…hoping to help them realize that my family’s reality is not the same as everyone’s around the world. I know my children are too young to grasp this concept in entirety, but I’m determined to get it to seep into their realm of understanding over time.
Kimmelins last blog post..Daddy’s Wiggler Jiggler
Lovely post, WD. Thanks.
And Graham – thanks for sharing that story. With my children, just 5, 4 and 2, I’m already trying to get them to understand the concept of hungry children in places like Africa. In vain, I pull up pictures and videos on the internet…hoping to help them realize that my family’s reality is not the same as everyone’s around the world. I know my children are too young to grasp this concept in entirety, but I’m determined to get it to seep into their realm of understanding over time.
Kimmelins last blog post..Daddy’s Wiggler Jiggler
This post breaks my heart. I know well those households in which people gaze idly at a big screen television and I know well that it is true apathy and numbness to others that creates these households. Sometimes, the pain of the outside world is just too much to take, and people would rather escape the harsh reality. Other times, it’s a raw lack of compassion for others (yes, even their own children). To mend my heart, I keep my eyes and ears tuned in to those who are taking a stand, taking action, and making a difference. That’s how I keep hope alive.
Melissa Donovans last blog post..Writing for Animals
This post breaks my heart. I know well those households in which people gaze idly at a big screen television and I know well that it is true apathy and numbness to others that creates these households. Sometimes, the pain of the outside world is just too much to take, and people would rather escape the harsh reality. Other times, it’s a raw lack of compassion for others (yes, even their own children). To mend my heart, I keep my eyes and ears tuned in to those who are taking a stand, taking action, and making a difference. That’s how I keep hope alive.
Melissa Donovans last blog post..Writing for Animals
What an interesting perspective, Sean. Thank you for sharing it with us.
What an interesting perspective, Sean. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Sloth….a word that is almost PC’d out of circulation.
Excellent post. I love the Peale quote too. Truer words never spoken.
Sloth….a word that is almost PC’d out of circulation.
Excellent post. I love the Peale quote too. Truer words never spoken.
Steph: Our neighborhoods sound a bit similar, though I have to admit, our wasn’t so apathetic when we moved in. It’s definitely declined over the last couple years. The elderly couple that you describe, is a regular sight on my street. Not them exactly, but the hard working family’s sandwiched between the lazy people, literally waiting for their check. I have one set of neighbors; they’re on assistance, their two year child is always dirty (and eating something like ice cream), and they drive a two year old BMW. Crazy, that. I know not everybody is as smart as the pursuit of happyness guy, and that that isn’t a reality for everyone. But it is for some, and too many make excuses.
Sal: I’ll be over.
Kimmelin: Always a pleasure, Kimmelin. I loved Graham’s story as well. It touched on something that I couldn’t hope to. I’m with you on teaching our children. Sometimes, I’m thankful we live in the neighborhood we do for exactly that reason. Some of the kids on the other side of town aren’t very nice, for an entirely different set of reasons.
Melissa: I believe we’re on the brink of change, even if that change is a decade on the horizon. Those of us who do believe, need to say it out loud. Otherwise, we’ll never render hope to reality.
Vered: Always a pleasure, Vered.
Janice: If the shoe fits… I could have one thesaurus piled on top of another, in a dozen different languages. Sloth is still the best word. I hope it never disappears from circulation entirely.
Steph: Our neighborhoods sound a bit similar, though I have to admit, our wasn’t so apathetic when we moved in. It’s definitely declined over the last couple years. The elderly couple that you describe, is a regular sight on my street. Not them exactly, but the hard working family’s sandwiched between the lazy people, literally waiting for their check. I have one set of neighbors; they’re on assistance, their two year child is always dirty (and eating something like ice cream), and they drive a two year old BMW. Crazy, that. I know not everybody is as smart as the pursuit of happyness guy, and that that isn’t a reality for everyone. But it is for some, and too many make excuses.
Sal: I’ll be over.
Kimmelin: Always a pleasure, Kimmelin. I loved Graham’s story as well. It touched on something that I couldn’t hope to. I’m with you on teaching our children. Sometimes, I’m thankful we live in the neighborhood we do for exactly that reason. Some of the kids on the other side of town aren’t very nice, for an entirely different set of reasons.
Melissa: I believe we’re on the brink of change, even if that change is a decade on the horizon. Those of us who do believe, need to say it out loud. Otherwise, we’ll never render hope to reality.
Vered: Always a pleasure, Vered.
Janice: If the shoe fits… I could have one thesaurus piled on top of another, in a dozen different languages. Sloth is still the best word. I hope it never disappears from circulation entirely.
Writer Dad,
I have mixed feelings about this post. In some ways it reminds of all the talk about welfare queens in the 1980s, when Reagan was demonizing poor people. Have you spent much time with the people who have the big-screen TVs? Do they tell you what their lives are like?
Beths last blog post..Wandering Around Uptown II
Writer Dad,
I have mixed feelings about this post. In some ways it reminds of all the talk about welfare queens in the 1980s, when Reagan was demonizing poor people. Have you spent much time with the people who have the big-screen TVs? Do they tell you what their lives are like?
Beths last blog post..Wandering Around Uptown II
What a wonderful perspective.
Thank you for this post!
Mayas last blog post..The key to happiness and balance is right with you, just learn to use it – Part 2 of the thinkmaya framework
What a wonderful perspective.
Thank you for this post!
Mayas last blog post..The key to happiness and balance is right with you, just learn to use it – Part 2 of the thinkmaya framework
Beth: I sure have. Every day. I’m not demonizing poor people, I’m reporting what I see in front of me. There are hundreds of hard working families in my neighborhood, I mention them in the post. The issue I have is with a select part of the population. Here are two examples:
Across the street from me, there lives a woman. She lives in an apartment with three children. In the three years we’ve lived here, we see her leave the house only to walk to the liquor store for beer. Her housing is Section 8. She brags to anyone who will listen that she only pays a “hundra” dollars for rent. Her children are filthy, and regularly play in the street. She buys them firecrackers which they ignite in our trashcan. Her TV is large, and she has no curtains. It is on all day, and anytime we are so inclined we can see what she is watching. One could make an assumption, perhaps, that she does not know better, but alas, she went to the same middle school that I did, at the same time.
When we moved into the house, there was a family living upstairs. They did not pay rent, for three months, and we had to evict them. We could not have been more patient or understanding. The dad worked but spent all his money on beer and video games. The mom pretended not to speak English whenever I knocked on the door. Their big screen TV could only have been bigger if it was manufactured in the room. I had to warn them for two months, because the last thing I wanted to do was have them forcibly evicted. That is what I had to do. When the police came to evict them, their baby was crawling through a pile of garbage. I said to the one of the police officers, “You must hate this part of the job.” She said, “Nope. Most of these situations are exactly the same. These people get someone to fill out a rental application for them, they live for free for a few months, then get kicked out, and move on to somewhere else.” They still live on our street, have lived in four places in three years, and only payed a few months rent. The mom, I have since found out, speaks perfect English, was born and raised in this city, and went to the best high school in our city.
My neighborhood is filled with such examples. I wrote what I know, not what I speculated.
I appreciate you asking the question. Thanks, Beth.
Maya: My absolute pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Beth: I sure have. Every day. I’m not demonizing poor people, I’m reporting what I see in front of me. There are hundreds of hard working families in my neighborhood, I mention them in the post. The issue I have is with a select part of the population. Here are two examples:
Across the street from me, there lives a woman. She lives in an apartment with three children. In the three years we’ve lived here, we see her leave the house only to walk to the liquor store for beer. Her housing is Section 8. She brags to anyone who will listen that she only pays a “hundra” dollars for rent. Her children are filthy, and regularly play in the street. She buys them firecrackers which they ignite in our trashcan. Her TV is large, and she has no curtains. It is on all day, and anytime we are so inclined we can see what she is watching. One could make an assumption, perhaps, that she does not know better, but alas, she went to the same middle school that I did, at the same time.
When we moved into the house, there was a family living upstairs. They did not pay rent, for three months, and we had to evict them. We could not have been more patient or understanding. The dad worked but spent all his money on beer and video games. The mom pretended not to speak English whenever I knocked on the door. Their big screen TV could only have been bigger if it was manufactured in the room. I had to warn them for two months, because the last thing I wanted to do was have them forcibly evicted. That is what I had to do. When the police came to evict them, their baby was crawling through a pile of garbage. I said to the one of the police officers, “You must hate this part of the job.” She said, “Nope. Most of these situations are exactly the same. These people get someone to fill out a rental application for them, they live for free for a few months, then get kicked out, and move on to somewhere else.” They still live on our street, have lived in four places in three years, and only payed a few months rent. The mom, I have since found out, speaks perfect English, was born and raised in this city, and went to the best high school in our city.
My neighborhood is filled with such examples. I wrote what I know, not what I speculated.
I appreciate you asking the question. Thanks, Beth.
Maya: My absolute pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Sean: There are those for whom being on welfare is extraordinarily difficult and they fight hard to get out of welfare, while there are those who basically sit back on their laurels and collect their checks. I wrote about this in a comment on Vered’s blog awhile back: I once watched a special where a man begging for money stated that he made more money begging than he would flipping burgers at McDonald’s, so why should he bother to get a job? Then there are those who want nothing more in this world than to have a job and be self-sufficient but there are simply no jobs to be found. I don’t believe that everyone is created equal.
Hi Sean: There are those for whom being on welfare is extraordinarily difficult and they fight hard to get out of welfare, while there are those who basically sit back on their laurels and collect their checks. I wrote about this in a comment on Vered’s blog awhile back: I once watched a special where a man begging for money stated that he made more money begging than he would flipping burgers at McDonald’s, so why should he bother to get a job? Then there are those who want nothing more in this world than to have a job and be self-sufficient but there are simply no jobs to be found. I don’t believe that everyone is created equal.
Writer Dad, thanks for taking the time to explain. I’m sure that situation with your house was very frustrating.
These people are easy to judge because we can see what’s happening. It is horrible to see children treated the way those children are treated.
But I dislike the way this country (not necessarily you) demonizes poor people who neglect or abuse their children. There are plenty of rich people who do the same, like the father of the Miss America who abused her. I’ve known lots of women who’ve been sexually and physically abused, and their abusers generally got away with it. I think we tend to single out the poor in this regard because they’re getting monetary support.
I think we should all try to educate ourselves about how hard it can be to be on welfare, especially people like me who have never been poor to speak of. I’ve read lots of stories about the difficulties of navigating the system. For example, Section 8 housing is not that easy to find, and it may not be anywhere near where one gets a $7/hour job that doesn’t cover the cost of child care. I sympathize with the man mentioned by Marelisa who would rather beg than get a job at McDonald’s. Wages in the United States have not kept up with the cost of living.
I also believe that there will always be people who need to be taken care of. They may not be the “deserving poor,” but we should do as much as we can to help them, at least in the interests of their children.
Hope this comment isn’t too preachy.
Beth Partins last blog post..Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty
Writer Dad, thanks for taking the time to explain. I’m sure that situation with your house was very frustrating.
These people are easy to judge because we can see what’s happening. It is horrible to see children treated the way those children are treated.
But I dislike the way this country (not necessarily you) demonizes poor people who neglect or abuse their children. There are plenty of rich people who do the same, like the father of the Miss America who abused her. I’ve known lots of women who’ve been sexually and physically abused, and their abusers generally got away with it. I think we tend to single out the poor in this regard because they’re getting monetary support.
I think we should all try to educate ourselves about how hard it can be to be on welfare, especially people like me who have never been poor to speak of. I’ve read lots of stories about the difficulties of navigating the system. For example, Section 8 housing is not that easy to find, and it may not be anywhere near where one gets a $7/hour job that doesn’t cover the cost of child care. I sympathize with the man mentioned by Marelisa who would rather beg than get a job at McDonald’s. Wages in the United States have not kept up with the cost of living.
I also believe that there will always be people who need to be taken care of. They may not be the “deserving poor,” but we should do as much as we can to help them, at least in the interests of their children.
Hope this comment isn’t too preachy.
Beth Partins last blog post..Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty
This is different spin on the situation, and one that needed to be said. I grew up much the same way you describe. Not having much teaches you to appreciate what you have but even more is the healthy pride that comes from working for it. I grateful my father passed this on to me.
It’s very hard to look at those out there who see a world that owes them something. After Katrina hit New Orleans and we inherited the refugees, there was government money being handed out left and right. People decided to make this their home, but when it dried up things got ugly. I don’t mean to generalize in my comments concerning the victims, but when there was no more assistance left, it was hard to tell who needed and help and who was taking advantage. It was very sad on many levels.
CK Lunchboxs last blog post..Detour: Interview At Blogger Dad!
This is different spin on the situation, and one that needed to be said. I grew up much the same way you describe. Not having much teaches you to appreciate what you have but even more is the healthy pride that comes from working for it. I grateful my father passed this on to me.
It’s very hard to look at those out there who see a world that owes them something. After Katrina hit New Orleans and we inherited the refugees, there was government money being handed out left and right. People decided to make this their home, but when it dried up things got ugly. I don’t mean to generalize in my comments concerning the victims, but when there was no more assistance left, it was hard to tell who needed and help and who was taking advantage. It was very sad on many levels.
CK Lunchboxs last blog post..Detour: Interview At Blogger Dad!
Very cool, Sean! I like that you were able to take a subject that could easily have turned into a rant (spew?) , and instead produced a thoughtful and personal contribution to a global dialogue.
I started to comment on Beth’s post, then I realized it was Beth. She’s going to think I’m a crank following her around if I argue with her any more this week. ;)
So I’ll just say this: I used to give my change to the bums who asked me for it. I used to think I was being a good guy, and helping the less fortunate, blah blah blah. Then a friend of mine pointed out that I was just “enabling” them.
Maybe instead of raising the minimum wage, we should lower the profit margin for being a parasite.
No question, there are a lot of good people who get slapped down by life, and they need a hand to get back up. We should help them with everything we have. But when they’ve given up and made the choice to live on the public dole, we’re not helping anyone by giving them our money.
Very cool, Sean! I like that you were able to take a subject that could easily have turned into a rant (spew?) , and instead produced a thoughtful and personal contribution to a global dialogue.
I started to comment on Beth’s post, then I realized it was Beth. She’s going to think I’m a crank following her around if I argue with her any more this week. ;)
So I’ll just say this: I used to give my change to the bums who asked me for it. I used to think I was being a good guy, and helping the less fortunate, blah blah blah. Then a friend of mine pointed out that I was just “enabling” them.
Maybe instead of raising the minimum wage, we should lower the profit margin for being a parasite.
No question, there are a lot of good people who get slapped down by life, and they need a hand to get back up. We should help them with everything we have. But when they’ve given up and made the choice to live on the public dole, we’re not helping anyone by giving them our money.
This was beautifully written.
I like how you brought your own focus to the post on poverty. With so many blogs blogging on poverty today (which is a great thing) the challenge would be to make the entry unique – and you have definitely done just that.
Well thought out, well argued. Well done. Writer Dad.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Paths to Excessive Wealth
This was beautifully written.
I like how you brought your own focus to the post on poverty. With so many blogs blogging on poverty today (which is a great thing) the challenge would be to make the entry unique – and you have definitely done just that.
Well thought out, well argued. Well done. Writer Dad.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Paths to Excessive Wealth
Marelisa: Michael Jordan was on Oprah a couple years back. Charles Barkley was chastising him for never giving any of his money to people who asked him on the street. Jordan said, “if they can say, Mister can you spare a dollar, then they can say, ‘welcome to McDonalds.’” There is no doubt that there are some who are willing to work harder than others.
Beth. It’s my pleasure. Without dialogue, the blog is rather empty. If I lived in a wealthy neighborhood, I would have been discussing those neighbors, but I don’t. Believe me, I have just as many issues on that side of the track. Don’t worry, it wasn’t preachy at all. Opinionated is good.
CK Lunchbox: I’m exceedingly grateful for my humble upbringing. I believe it has a good deal to do with who I am. I went to school in the good neighborhood. A lot of those kids were spoiled, with no idea how much they had.
BruceQ: Ooh, now I’m curious to see what was previously exchanged. Time to go comment hunting. You are absolutely correct. If they are making a choice, then we are certainly not helping by enabling them.
Bamboo: Thanks. I wasn’t exactly sure what I would write about, I just knew it would be about poverty. I realized it would be disingenuous to speak of that which I do not know. The poverty outside my porch I know well enough.
Marelisa: Michael Jordan was on Oprah a couple years back. Charles Barkley was chastising him for never giving any of his money to people who asked him on the street. Jordan said, “if they can say, Mister can you spare a dollar, then they can say, ‘welcome to McDonalds.’” There is no doubt that there are some who are willing to work harder than others.
Beth. It’s my pleasure. Without dialogue, the blog is rather empty. If I lived in a wealthy neighborhood, I would have been discussing those neighbors, but I don’t. Believe me, I have just as many issues on that side of the track. Don’t worry, it wasn’t preachy at all. Opinionated is good.
CK Lunchbox: I’m exceedingly grateful for my humble upbringing. I believe it has a good deal to do with who I am. I went to school in the good neighborhood. A lot of those kids were spoiled, with no idea how much they had.
BruceQ: Ooh, now I’m curious to see what was previously exchanged. Time to go comment hunting. You are absolutely correct. If they are making a choice, then we are certainly not helping by enabling them.
Bamboo: Thanks. I wasn’t exactly sure what I would write about, I just knew it would be about poverty. I realized it would be disingenuous to speak of that which I do not know. The poverty outside my porch I know well enough.
Wow. That was just amazing. I love how you spoke to the subject which you are familiar rather than simply parroting sentiments. That is what makes this blog such a treat.
The more I discover about you, the more in common we seem to have, in both histories and thoughts on life. Thank you for writing this.
david
Blogger Dads last blog post..Eight Questions Interview with Ron Mattocks of Clark Kent’s Lunchbox
Wow. That was just amazing. I love how you spoke to the subject which you are familiar rather than simply parroting sentiments. That is what makes this blog such a treat.
The more I discover about you, the more in common we seem to have, in both histories and thoughts on life. Thank you for writing this.
david
Blogger Dads last blog post..Eight Questions Interview with Ron Mattocks of Clark Kent’s Lunchbox
I didn’t read all of the comments, so maybe other people said the same thing, but while I understand the sentiment I still believe it always pays to keep an open mind, refrain from judgment and remember that there are many shades of grey between black and white. Sure, it shits us when people are complete bludgers (Aussie term for no-job-and-don’t-want-one) but how do you know what a person you see through their window looking at the wide screen is going through? They might have depression or a disability. Keep an open mind is all I am saying.
I didn’t read all of the comments, so maybe other people said the same thing, but while I understand the sentiment I still believe it always pays to keep an open mind, refrain from judgment and remember that there are many shades of grey between black and white. Sure, it shits us when people are complete bludgers (Aussie term for no-job-and-don’t-want-one) but how do you know what a person you see through their window looking at the wide screen is going through? They might have depression or a disability. Keep an open mind is all I am saying.
Blogger Dad: Thanks, Dave. A parrot, I am not. Thanks for being a constant.
Seamus Anthony: My mind is open, and I do not cast idle judgments, but I am observant and reasonably intelligent. I only speak of that which I have first hand experience. The blue box just above the one above this one has an answer to a similar question from Beth. It’s a little more specific.
Blogger Dad: Thanks, Dave. A parrot, I am not. Thanks for being a constant.
Seamus Anthony: My mind is open, and I do not cast idle judgments, but I am observant and reasonably intelligent. I only speak of that which I have first hand experience. The blue box just above the one above this one has an answer to a similar question from Beth. It’s a little more specific.
Simply put, great, unique take on poverty. I couldn’t agree more. I just wish I could have written it so elegantly. :)
PJ_Normzs last blog post..How to Properly Plan For Success Today
Simply put, great, unique take on poverty. I couldn’t agree more. I just wish I could have written it so elegantly. :)
PJ_Normzs last blog post..How to Properly Plan For Success Today
indeed. a family with only one parent is in a much more difficult predicament than a family with two.
it’s great that you’re participating in blog action day. :)
kouji haikus last blog post..haiku poem
indeed. a family with only one parent is in a much more difficult predicament than a family with two.
it’s great that you’re participating in blog action day. :)
kouji haikus last blog post..haiku poem
Definitely an interesting and alternative perspective to the dozens I have read today for Blog Action Day. Thanks for sharing your personal story and thoughts.
What is truly poverty is the lack of hope. I believe that many of the destitutes do not believe that they have the ability to make their lives better. They’d rather rely on someone else’s sweat. In so doing, they have robbed themselves of their own spirit.
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Should The Poor Mexican Fisherman Give Up Contentment For Cash?
Definitely an interesting and alternative perspective to the dozens I have read today for Blog Action Day. Thanks for sharing your personal story and thoughts.
What is truly poverty is the lack of hope. I believe that many of the destitutes do not believe that they have the ability to make their lives better. They’d rather rely on someone else’s sweat. In so doing, they have robbed themselves of their own spirit.
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Should The Poor Mexican Fisherman Give Up Contentment For Cash?
Writer Dad,
Oh, I know you’re not kidding. I taught high school kids who did that kind of thing. Like it’s a badge of honor or something. E
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Work it Like a Turkish Pop Star
Writer Dad,
Oh, I know you’re not kidding. I taught high school kids who did that kind of thing. Like it’s a badge of honor or something. E
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Work it Like a Turkish Pop Star
PJ: That’s a very kind thing to say. Thank you.
Kouji: I think it’s a great idea. I’m already excited for next year.
Evelyn: You are correct. There are few things worse than a lack of hope.
Ellen: It’s a badge of trashiness, me thinks.
PJ: That’s a very kind thing to say. Thank you.
Kouji: I think it’s a great idea. I’m already excited for next year.
Evelyn: You are correct. There are few things worse than a lack of hope.
Ellen: It’s a badge of trashiness, me thinks.
This is a wonderful post. I just began a second blog today because my life has changed. I have become that single parent. It is going to be tough and I do understand this. I was reading your post and comments. It is so important for each of us to give 100% of whatever we have back to our children (not in the form of T.V.’s) We cannot blame others nor can we accept pity and therefore live with excuses as to why we cannot be all we can be. There are many deadbeat parents out there.
This was a wonderful post.
Crickets last blog post..He is leaving today
This is a wonderful post. I just began a second blog today because my life has changed. I have become that single parent. It is going to be tough and I do understand this. I was reading your post and comments. It is so important for each of us to give 100% of whatever we have back to our children (not in the form of T.V.’s) We cannot blame others nor can we accept pity and therefore live with excuses as to why we cannot be all we can be. There are many deadbeat parents out there.
This was a wonderful post.
Crickets last blog post..He is leaving today
Hi Sean,
I think that the hardest thing about being on welfare was waiting in the checkout line at the grocer store. Me, a baby faced, well dressed, educated twenty-something with an above average IQ, toting four kids aged a few months through 8 years old. Judging by the looks we got, I might as well have hung a sign around my neck that read: “ignorant, baby making, leech on society.” I would pretend not to see people scrutinizing our purchases, resenting the abundant array of meats, fresh produce, healthy fare – only the best that our double coupons and food stamps could buy. They never stopped to think that the beautiful $6.00 roast with 50 cents worth of potatoes and 35 cents worth of carrots would make a pot roast feast for dinner and sandwiches the next day. Two meals for a family of six – beat the heck outta one drive through meal at McDonalds. Those carefully spent food stamp dollars were stretched, sometimes it seemed, a la Jesus Christ and the loaves and fishes. Having welfare was salvation for our family during a difficult time. It enabled us to have food, shelter, medicine,care and a springboard to a brighter future. I believe that sometimes public assistance is an absolute necessity. We as a society, have a moral obligation to help those with a critical need (I am after all a child of the 60′s). This, however, should serve as a temporary tool – not a life sentence. I couldn’t wait to get the hell off of welfare, but this comes from having pride and self respect. You don’t just pull that out of a cracker jack box (God, am I dating myself?) but must be instilled in you. While growing up in South Central LA, I never knew that we were poor. Papí had two jobs – eventually, his own store. Mom was June Cleaver. I went to the best schools (Catholic) and wore couture clothing (all hand made by Mom with homemade brown paper sack patterns). Never did I go hungry, and was quite happy with my hand me down roller skates, box of crayons and never ending supply of library books. I am grateful that you and KittyTown got to experience both sides of the financial spectrum. It gave you guys a healthy perspective and is a part of who you are today.
Love ya,
Mom