Affluence separates people. Poverty knits ‘em together. You got some sugar and I don’t; I borrow some of yours. Next month you might not have any flour; well, I’ll give you some of mine.” (Ray Charles) There were some really good lessons learned by us who lived during The Great Depression. Sometime I might tell you about mine.
;-) Jack
FROM J.F. IN NOVA SCOTIA: please do!
FROM L.K. IN OHIO: Self-sufficiency breeds loneliness at times.
FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: Where I was growing up in the '30's and '40's, bank presidents and doctors lived on the same streets with factory workers and laborers. Today affluence has generated separate sectors residentially, socially, and politically.
MORE FROM R.I.: My wife says that in Japan there was separation but it was more by status than wealth. People were concerned with a long ancestral family line of education, respect, honor, etc. People of wealth lived well and in fine homes, but they were not isolated to themselves. In fact they were situated among the commercial and business districts where lots of noise and commotion were prevalent.
FROM M.S. COMING HOME FROM FLORIDA: I would like to hear about those experiences.
Am flying home from Florida today--not looking forward to being back in Michigan's weather!
JACK'S RESPONSE TO M.S.: Weather separates people, too. Those in the cold huddle together to keep warm and to comiserate, while those in Florida just bask one the beach and let the rest of the world go by.
FROM CWR IN B'MORE: ......why not now?
FROM MOLINER, G.S.: Pls do. Ever read about Irish hospitality?
MORE FROM G.S.: My Mom took in relatives and animals & was close to a few neighbors, borrowing stuff.
FROM PR C.H. ON CAPE COD: Now's the time! (to tell us about your good lessons learned during the Great Depression) You know, the way I relate is: in college I sometimes borrowed a friend's car to go to church Sundays; then when I had my own car I didn't have to rely on friends in the same way but also lost a little community. We don't have cable and so get no TV reception. (same was true in Michigan) So I "invite" myself politely to parishoners to watch playoff sport games with them. It knits us/people together. Having the independence is nice and once you have it, it's hard to give it up, but there can be something beautiful about having some dependence upon others!
FROM L.H. IN MARCO: Does that mean that we should all strive to live in poverty? Or are you talking about socialism? When God allows someone to be successful, he is expected to help those who are less fortunate and for those who do that, they can help those less fortunate with more than a cup of sugar; they can sometimes offer many cups of sugar and maybe even employment to help lift someone out of poverty. It all come down to how you use what you have.
FROM F.M. IN WISCONSIN: your WW came through today - and made me recall the conversation we had with some relatives last Friday evening - talking about the depression era - Jewel's father didn't work for over two years - and she and her brother have some very 'interesting' stories. My folks had it tough too, but not like Jewel's family - my parents 'lost' seven homes they owned in the depression - their way to prepare for old age before Social Security and Pensions - own property for rental income. Someday I'd like to hear your 'history' from the 30's.
FROM S.H. IN MICHIGAN: I am appreciating your Winning Words for today. You know the thing about the Depression which my mom most memorably passed on to me was that women couldn't get nylon stockings and back then they were made with a seam up the back. So she and her girlfriends took to drawing lines on the back of their legs. What is amazing to me about this was that everyone must have taken the attitude that you somehow pretend you don't notice this what I am doing and I'll pretend I'm looking just grand and we'll continue having a good time through it all. I learned a good lesson about fashion and people being caring for each other from my mom.
FROM F.M. IN WISCONSIN: That sounds like Jewel's family - they never had a car, a telephone - they didn't even have a radio until after the II World War. Things were different in our home - my father quit as Supt. at Nash motors in 1932, after he was asked to serve both as day and night supt. Then they worked 10 hour shifts - and he found it impossible to work the 20 hour shift - so he quit. My parents purchased a grocery store which they had for a year or two - people shopped until they ran up their credit to the point that my folks couldn't 'carry them'. Finally my father went into business in insurance - didn't make a lot for a few years, but we always had a good car - took vacations - and we always had a maid until I was about 14 years old. That was right before the war and young girls were able to find other work - I can remember when they paid the maid $2.75 a week plus their room and board. Enough - but it is true that we get to know each other when we share and borrow.
FROM DVE IN MICHIGAN: as the song says you tell me yours I'll tell you mine.
FROM G.G. IN INDY: We were by no means poor, but this reminded me of how we used to gather in the "girls bedroom" and help whatever sister it was assemble an outfit for a big event (dance,prom,homecoming,Roman banquet,etc) at school. We used many of the same dresses and accessories over again/ just tweaked them for the individual and made them look new. My mom was in on it too....sharing her creativity and courage. I know this added to the developement of our "close-knit" family. We had alot of fun.(still do!)
FROM A.M. IN MICHIGAN: Affluence seems to separate people from God and their spiritual side. This is most noticeable to me among the young.
FROM CJL IN OHIO: We all have many stories we could share...
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