My 4 brothers and I grew up poor in a small town, Canton, in North Georgia. Our mom stayed home to take care of the family whilst dad worked from 0630 to 1800 every day but half a day on Wed. When he got over about 65 he cut back to 5 days a week and took all day off on Wed. His peak income during out years at home was probably under $15k. All of us but Danny somehow went to college and all 4 of us earned Masters degrees with 2 of us earning doctoral degrees.
We had the privilege of walking everywhere since our mother never learned to drive and we never had more than one vehicle anyway until us kids could drive. We lived in an $8k home that was basically 2 BR, 1 Bath. Our only new car was one dad bought after we all left home.
Our privilege extended to squirrel hunting behind the house, picking up chestnuts and hickory nuts and small sweet peaches behind the house. We walked up and down the Etowah River banks, and occasionally swam in the river at the gravel bed. We had the privilege of working at the Canton Swimming Pool when we were old enough to be life guards.
I don't recall having nice clothes, or nice anything. We had the privilege of eating well but that included trout we caught and squirrels and rabbits we harvested. We had the privilege of walking the two miles each way to the swimming pool or wherever we had to be.
We had the privilege of participating in graded choir practice, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Royal Ambassadors. I had the privilege of Boy Scouts and becoming an Eagle Scout, which helped me acquire the privilege of attending the US Naval Academy and earning a nice degree by agreeing to let the enemy try to kill me for at least 4 years afterwards.
Yes, we had many privileges growing up in a small town where everyone knew everyone. We had the privilege of knowing our parents who remained married our whole lives. We had the privilege of learning how to live on little money.
Thanks be to G^d from whom all privileges flow!
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