Trucks of Art
1967 International Scout
Today:
My oldest sister was actually affected her entire life when as a child her cousin would say, if you wash the dishes for me, you can wear one of my sweaters. Her cousin was an only child of a mill foreman and actually had much more than our family.
Uncle Sam and Aunt Janie were good people, but had spoiled that girl rotten. We always thought it ‘funny’ (Not haha) that sister Kat would buy sweaters at yard sales and thrift stores. Then wash, dry, fold and carefully store them. She had roughly 100 sweaters when she passed and seldom wore them. I was the baby of the family so by the time I was in the 1st grade, dad and mom were doing well and I never ‘truly’ wanted for anything.
Our country, like every country in the world has its ‘haves and have nots.’ We travelled in the military when required, and as civilians for personal enjoyment and to learn. In the less fortunate parts of the world I seldom returned to the ship with any change and many times with very little folding money. I am told I am a ‘soft touch’, and I admit I am at times.
Just from some of my blogger friends writing I know you suffer from the same ‘malady’. (smile)
Some do not realize it, but ‘the have-nots’ in this country would be considered ‘rich’ in Haiti and many parts of Mexico.
Many Americans retire to other countries because they can live well even off Social Security. I have no stones to throw, but from a personal standpoint I could NEVER continually pass the impoverished daily and enjoy my ‘good life’ with servants in a closed compound.
We all look at situations different. One man mentioned that the ‘servants’ were at least paid and a job was created. That is true, but……..
Nite Shipslog
PS: Funny about wealth, in my early childhood I never knew we didn't have much. If you were raised poor, did you know it?
These are Haitian kids, Kids are kids.... these In an orphangage.
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8 comments:
I love your tender heart! Years ago my former hubby and I participated in a trail ride in Haiti … coming back to the ship, another member of the group remarked, "Every American teenager needs to see this."
Yes, I was spoiled - hopefully, not rotten. Kat's little cousin sounds like she needed her mouth washed out with a bar of soap! No matter their circumstances later in life, my parents never forgot the lessons learned during the Great Depression. My mom, for instance, brought home 50-cents a week working as a wealthy family's private-duty nurse.
I was one of four kids. Therefore I was not spoiled.
I never thought I was poor but could not understand why other kids wore designer clothes when all of mine were hand made by mom. I was picked on but just thought they were jealous. It never donged on me that they may have been wealthier. I just thought they were brats. On the other side, They all had small houses and we had a big house.
Nicks says I am indeed spoiled now. I agree.
Lisa
I agree with you - it is almost unfathomable. Andy is going to Guatemala at the end of the month to work there for a week - I think it will be a great experience for him.
I was one of 5 children and we lived on a farm where one season to the next meant more more or less. But we weren't poor in the sense that we knew it. Life was good.
Driving through impoverished areas hurts and drives us to give what we can to those we can.
Good post with a strong message. Thank you.
I grew up on a farm and we were not rich but always had enough to eat and have our needs met. My mother made all my clothes which led to a lot of teasing by kids that had 'store bought' clothes--because my clothes looked like those of a previous generation.
I can't imagine having 100 sweaters though!
Have a great night- Hugs- Diana
I'm incredibly thankful to God for how he has blessed us. I have wanted for not, all my basic needs have always been met and these days the wants are also met as well. To my dying day with whatever amount we can give, I will always try to monthly give something to the rescue mission of whatever city we might find ourselves in. But for the grace of God that could be me. I try to remember that in helping others.
betty
We are so blessed here in the U.S. Even most poor people have more than some countries do. I've never been wealthy, but thankfully have always had what I needed. Clothing, food, a home. With all the very rich people in the world, none should ever go hungry. Sad but true some do.
Coming from a large family of 11 including Mom and Dad., we never felt poor. We shared what we had, never went hungry thanks to living on the farm. We raised our food, from meats to veggies/fruits. To this day, I'm grateful for the loving upbringing I was so blessed by God to have. We are all still a very close-knit family, taking care of one another and others in need. It's what we're on this earth for, it's a form of spreading His word. My prayers go out to the impoverished every day that they are fed, warm and kept safe.
love n' hugs from our home to yours. It's in the 40's, snow is melting fast and we're in for an inch of rain by morning. Prayers now that the floods are minimal from here to the south. It's happening.
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