Second unit in from the parking lot
They all looked the same, except for the numbers on the front
Swingset at the end of the sidewalk with tattered black seats
That is where I played with Rossi, a white kid like me, and
Jessica, a skinny little Hispanic girl.
Mom brought home orange welfare cheese and generic peanut butter.
My older sister got jumped for her cotton candy, walking home from the rec center.
My older brother got jumped for being white and loud and maybe not the brightest.
I walked to Head Start and learned how to dribble a basketball.
At night, my sister made us watch boring TV shows while mom was off bartending.
We never knew when or if mom would make it home.
Sometimes, in the morning, she just wasn’t there.
My sister would wake us up,
mix the powered milk with water
and pour it over our King Vitamin.
* * * * *
Author’s Note: When I read The Busy Dad Blog’s post titled, “My Middle Name”, I was impressed with his honesty about growing up and how eloquently he wrote about his tough experiences. His post inspired me to write this post today.
30 comments:
You sure turned out well despite it all.
Beautiful and heartbreaking ... thanks for your vulnerability.
Honored that you read my post and that it encouraged you to put this on paper. It hurts looking back, doesn't it? Especially when you're in a better place now. Glad you were able to do it. Beautiful indeed.
i work there every day...and it can be a rough place...but there re good people there...you are proof eh?
what a story you have... did that play a part in what you do now?
Sounds somewhat familiar. Mom was always working two or three jobs and government assistance was a must for her. Couldn't have been too terrible though because it seems that you've turned out fine just as my sisters and I have! :)
@ Busy Dad
Thanks for stopping over. You are truly an inspiration.
@ Jenilee
I believe it made me appreciate everything and not take anything for granted.
@ Amy
Yes, I think we have a lot in common :-)
Oh Sweetie...
Isn't it something how we look back on our childhoods and wonder sometimes how we ever survived.
I know in your case, it made you a very strong woman. You can do anything that you set your mind to. I am so proud that you allow me to call you friend. You are the BEST sweetie.
Thank you for this beautiful piece of your heart today. It was gorgeous at this time of year. Your sweet boys will never want for anything. They have you and your DH, and all the love in the world.
Many hugs sweetie and so much love, Sherry
Thank you for sharing that. You are amazing! There is no doubt in my mind that your beautiful boys will not have to endure the unfortunate events of your childhood. They are truly blessed to have such a wonderful mommy!
Thanks for sharing your story! Some of the most beautiful people come from the toughest situations! My heart goes out to you for going thru that as a child.
Sad, but beautiful!! I'm proud of you for choosing the path that you did. That says alot about you...
Wow. Very touching and honest post. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, sweet CM, the stories you & I could share of our youth ... the most beautiful part is that you, & I, can share this, be better for it & love the beauty of life even more.
My dad was a womanizer & very violent man, Mother got rid of him in a short 9 yrs. that seemed like a long living hell. I just completed our family genealogy & it was such a release & relief to have all the 'secrets' out in the open, some on paper, others stored in my heart & soul rather than on black & white. We 5 kids all suffered from him, his violence & verbal abuse. It is amazing, tho I am the eldest, how the others remember facts ... their choice, tho incorrect.
And, look at you now, CM. You are a fabulous Mother to these very blessed kid-lings, you have a career that 'gives' to many daily, your dh is a rock. These steps we walk in life we can take advantage of, or wallow in the past ... you are one beautiful young lady that has chosen to be something fabulous & move on. I hope your Mother is ok, & your siblings.
I am very proud of you & love saying you are a friend ...
Have a beautiful Christmas, sweetie.
Hugs sweet CM ~ Marydon
Thank you for this honest post, it was very touching and promising at the same time.........
It was just me, my sister and my mom against the world. We lived in a run down single wide 2 bedroom trailer. My mom was always there but she had to fight so hard to keep us in food and clothes.
I believe that watching her is what makes me so strong today. It seems you gained strength from your experiences too. Thanks for sharing.
This, my Friend, is why you are a great mother,wife,and servant of people. You took your past and made it work for the good of humankind.
You are a sturdy but beautiful fabric of life's woven threads which became your heart,soul, and mind. You made a choice years ago to take care of your fabric: cleaning, pressing,mending, protecting and most of all sharing its warmth.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks for sharing and being so honest. I remember growing up with powdered milk and the first time having real milk at a friends and hated it! oh! King Vitamin the memories! Have a wonderful weekend and holiday!
I had no idea... but the way you have shared this is so... touching. Real. Vulnerable.
Thanks for your honesty.. and heart!
HUG. I feel so blessed for my childhood. Wish you could have lived with me.
you know I have said this before but this was my life, only our projects looked like long brick buildings. honestly, when I go to Sam's and see the block of cheese it reminds me of my childhood
lots of grace that you are what you are now - glad you made it
This was so simple and painful and beautiful that I didn't even breathe while I read it. I think the amazing part is knowing what I do about you from your blog, and how you work and parent and love, that you survived and prospered maybe in spite of or because of your childhood circumstances. Thank you for sharing this.
I love fresh honesty. I too grew up in the projects. Well lets say we were down right poor. I've got some stories up my way for sure. Especially since I grew up living down the street from a bar. Crazy. Thanks for noting a great blog.
PS just posted pics from Princess's 3rd birthday celebrations! Pop over for a look at some pics.
Best!
great way of relaying the not so nice memories.
that kinda makes sense with your line of work, helping others.
you are a strong, strong person!
God bless you and your family this Christmas!
I wish I could go back to my younger self and tell me how wonderful things have turned out. But unfortunately, when times are tough we just don't know what the future holds. I'm so glad your little boys have such a different life!
beautiful story..
I loved reading about this part of your life. So genuine and beautiful. It's great to read about the places people come from...and to see glimpses of that in who they are today. ;)
It sounds like it was tough place to live. I bet you learned a lot. We didn't have a lot money when I was growing up either. I think it is why I coupon now.
Thanks for stopping by the Manger Prayer Challenge.
These posts are always so hard to read, as I had a really nice childhood. But they are also so good to read as I know I take so much for granted in life.
How are you sister and brother? Have they been able to move on from such a terrible beginning?
Very moving and honest. Some of the best people I have ever met came from the projects, and some of the worst...I think wherever we go there is both. thank you for sharing.
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