Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
I am not claiming this thread for myself. Anyone who has a Great Depression story or advise from one of it's survivors please feel free the add a chapter. - OGM
The smells of turkey wafted through the air and the muted Thanks Giving Day game played on the TV. There was the sounds of adults talking, children playing and the ring of the good china being set on the table. I was wasted space in the kitchen with all the hands already there and busy making sure nothing burned and putting the final touches on the meal.
I wandered into the living room. The outcome of the game was a forgone conclusion by the end of the half. The men had deserted the living room for the back porch away from the ears of the women and kids to do their own catching up. NaNa quietly sat alone in the room. She appeared to be watching the game but wasn't.
I sat down near her. She turned her attention to me. We started talking. I mentioned my worries about the problems I saw on the horizon and mentioned stories about Great Depression.
"You don't need to tell me about the Depression. I lived it." She replied with a smile.
"NaNa people went hungry and I'm trying to prep so that my children will not go hungry."
Nana nodded as if hunger and financial depressions were just a part of life not something in distant, almost forgotten history.
"Some of the cousins think I'm crazy for putting food by and getting ready for hard times.".
"Don't worry about what they say. You live your life the way you think you should. They heard the same family stories you did the difference is you listened. We got through it. You and your family will deal with whatever happens and get through it.". There was no modicum of doubt in her statement. She radiated a quiet faith that all too few are blessed with. It was then I noticed how frail NaNa looked. Her eyes were still clear and her words were from the heart.
"Dinner!" we turned at the call and went in to join the rest of the family for the feast.
The End
Conversation With NaNa
The smells of turkey wafted through the air and the muted Thanks Giving Day game played on the TV. There was the sounds of adults talking, children playing and the ring of the good china being set on the table. I was wasted space in the kitchen with all the hands already there and busy making sure nothing burned and putting the final touches on the meal.
I wandered into the living room. The outcome of the game was a forgone conclusion by the end of the half. The men had deserted the living room for the back porch away from the ears of the women and kids to do their own catching up. NaNa quietly sat alone in the room. She appeared to be watching the game but wasn't.
I sat down near her. She turned her attention to me. We started talking. I mentioned my worries about the problems I saw on the horizon and mentioned stories about Great Depression.
"You don't need to tell me about the Depression. I lived it." She replied with a smile.
"NaNa people went hungry and I'm trying to prep so that my children will not go hungry."
Nana nodded as if hunger and financial depressions were just a part of life not something in distant, almost forgotten history.
"Some of the cousins think I'm crazy for putting food by and getting ready for hard times.".
"Don't worry about what they say. You live your life the way you think you should. They heard the same family stories you did the difference is you listened. We got through it. You and your family will deal with whatever happens and get through it.". There was no modicum of doubt in her statement. She radiated a quiet faith that all too few are blessed with. It was then I noticed how frail NaNa looked. Her eyes were still clear and her words were from the heart.
"Dinner!" we turned at the call and went in to join the rest of the family for the feast.
The End
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