Things They Don't Teach In School
Things They Don't Teach You In School


My life has been interesting over the last few years.
Talk about a learning experience.
I've learned more recently than
I ever learned in school.
Financial hardship is one of
the greatest teachers you can have.
It teaches you to be resourceful and creative.
Oh, I'm not saying that
you have to like being broke
all the time. But I guess
there are two ways of
dealing with it. You can
sit and cry "poor me" and
wring your hands. Or you can
cry for a minute, then get up
and take care of business.




For example, when I was a kid
there was never enough money
to go around. And I learned
from my mom that my last
name was most definitely NOT
Rockefeller. Oh, for the younger
audience, "Gates".



I learned to appreciate church rummage sales.
I learned to appreciate the
public library.
And the public beaches.



And let's not forget Dad's idea of
a fun summer vacation.
Load the rattletrap of a car
up with picnic gear, including
an old beat up Coleman gas stove
and take "day trips", stopping
to eat at state parks.
I'm not sure I fully appreciated
those trips then, but I look
back on them very fondly now.



I'm now at a point in my life
where I think all these things
mean more to me, than they did
then. And there are things that
I've learned from my own experiences too.
For example, there are at least
a million ways you can use
Ramen Noodles. These little goodies
are one of the greatest gifts
to mankind ever. You can get a
case of them for just a
couple of dollars at most Wal-Marts.
And I've prepared them at least a
million ways.



I've learned what's really important
in life. And it's NOT
whether all my furniture matches
or my purse and shoes are coordinated.
Value the people who are there
when you're really down on
your luck. The 86 year old
lady who brings tomatoes
from her garden because your
child likes them.
The friend who listens to you
rant, rage and cry because
you're at the end of your rope
and don't know what to do.
The friend who cries with you.
And prays for you.
And means it.



Of course, there's a "down" side
to this too. Not just the
fact that bills have to be paid
and you spend a lot of time
wondering where in the world the
money is going to come from.
Living on an income that is half
what the government lists as
"poverty level" doesn't give one
much "mad" money.
So, you have to explore your
options. Asking for help is
not my strongest attribute.
The well-meaning agencies who assist you
tend to treat you either like
you've got your hand in their pocket
or like you have no live brains cells.
You are dealt with as if you
are stupid, or just plain lazy.
Hey folks, this is the harsh
reality of being "working class" poor.
No money, no medical insurance.
If you're lucky, you manage to keep
your dignity.



But hey, I think I still have a few
packages of Ramen Noodles left.
So, I guess I'll make it. Somehow.
In my apartment full of Salvation Army
Thrift Store furniture, I will survive.
I have the best kid in the world.
And the best friends anyone could
ever hope for.
My son tells me that we're not poor.
"No, mama," he says, "we're very,
very rich." And he's right.




My dear Incandescent Ladies sister, Missi, made this for me!