We didn’t know we were poor...

By Mary

My parents are 1st generation Americans. Their parents were from Mexico. I am sad that I don’t know much about my Great Grandparents. I have asked, but from what I gather records were not kept well where they came from. I only have two of my Father’s sisters left. All of my Mother’s Brother’s and one sister are gone. Growing up I had no idea I would value this information. I know my parents had a hard life growing up. I’m not sure I could have taken all that was thrown at them. They were both subjected to prejudices of all kind, but persevered. They raised 7 of us to see no color lines and too give as good as we got. They didn’t have much, so they didn’t leave much which is fine with me. I am proud that they were so charitable to those less fortunate. They would give their last dollar to anyone that asked.

My husband was raised in a one room two story cabin. His Father died very young of an aneurysm from a fall while trapping beaver, fox etc. He left 5 sons and 2 daughters. My hubby was 17 months old when he died and had a younger brother. They younger brother was eventually adopted by an Uncle. Life was very hard for them in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. His Mother moved to Lower Michigan to look for work. She worked at a clothing shop until cancer took her when hubby was 17. All 7 grew up to be fine hard working adults. Here in lies the differences in our families… They all are tighter than tight! They don’t give or do for others anymore than they have to. An example is my hubby, our snow plow was down for repairs this week so our driveway was impassible. Our neighbor cleared us out without our even asking. My Hubby will plow our drive, & not even notice that our neighbor across the road is drifted shut! I will say something to him and he just shrugs his shoulders. It just doesn’t occur to him that others could use the help! The same thing when he mows. I sometimes shame him into helping lol! There are many others, but my point is how two families basically grew up in the same type of back ground but turned out so different.

Of course the upside is that they are all living very comfortable lives and will no doubt leave a bit of dough lol!

I am curious about your partners and the way they were raised, how it affects your relationships/lives.