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The Great Depression
Scar
By Ruthe
 As
a teenager, the great depression caused deep scars, and today they
are as vivid as the day they were when my heart was broken. At my
young age many years ago I watched my mamma and my daddy cry many
nights, wondering where the food would be coming from to feed their
four little girls, and where to find the warm clothing that they'll
need with winter approaching.
We girls
had wonderful parents, they instilled honesty in all four of us.
Even though being poor, we were given a good basic foundation. Our
parents were true christians, and church was a must. We were raised
as Southern Baptists. I never got so tired in my life of going to
church, but today I look back, and wonder why I could have ever
felt that way. I was a teenager, getting ready to be an adult, and
there were many things that I couldn't understand -- yet I thought
I knew it all. Fortunately, I was a timid and sensitive child always
in fear of doing something wrong. I couldn't stand being punished,
and my mamma sure was handy with a switch. Bless her heart, I'm
wondering right now if she thinks I'm doing this right...I think
so.
Our daddy
was a kind and quiet man. He would only have to tell us something
one time -- we all four knew exactly what he meant. He worked at
any job to make money to support our family. He was a fine carpenter,
but there was no work. The hard times kept everyone unemployed,
there was no money to be had, hundreds of people standing in line
at different charities to get a bite of food. Many people were starving,
especially the elderly. We were very lucky to have a great daddy,
and even though he couldn't find work as hundreds couldn't, he planted
gardens and we had all kinds of vegetables. We had several different
kinds of fruit trees and beautiful big grapes growing around our
well. They all were so delicious. We didn't go hungry, mamma would
cook dry beans every wash day which was always on Mondays. I hated
them, but then again I was a teenager. Today I love them, and cook
them often, however I can cook mine on an electric stove within
an hour -- her wood burning stove would take our poor mamma all
day.
I'm in the
7th grade now, the great depression is still with us, and not getting
any better. My best girl friend and I would talk about how miserable
we all are, and decided to never live this way again when we grow
up. One day the teacher called her to come to her desk -- I didn't
know what had happened, but Dolores started to cry. I watched as
the teacher put her arm around her and then took her out of the
room. I found out after school that Dolores' daddy had been killed
in an accident that day. His first day at a new job at the coal
mines, a job that he so needed, but had no knowledge about how to
do it. I cried so hard with Dolores, but then again I'm a teenager,
and young ladies don't cry.
Well, today
my oldest sister, Aline, had to drop out of school. No money, and
she'll have to try working. There is an opening at the Woolworth
Dime Store with 50 people waiting to be interviewed. My sister is
very smart and she was selected for the job. We were all was so
happy, and after her second paycheck she bought us a new Philco
Radio for Christmas -- our very first radio, the best Christmas
we ever had.
The beautiful
Spring was coming, and the air smelled so good. Little wild flowers
were growing in our meadows. While we were at school, I happened
to look out the window, and I saw two big boys carrying my sister,
Geneva, toward our house. When I arrived at home after school I
was told that Geneva was very ill and had been taken to the hospital.
She never ever was able to come back home, and would never walk
again. Rheumatic Fever and no cure. Geneva lingered for two years
and died in our daddy's arms. If only he could have afforded a good
doctor for her maybe she would be with us today. I have never stopped
crying, it's all inside my heart. I'm not a teenager anymore, so
it's alright for me to cry. I miss her so much.
Evelyn,
my little sister, was the baby of the family, so we all spoiled
her rotten. She was a very smart little girl and afraid of nothing.
She had quite a mind of her own and determined to achieve. There
was nothing that she couldn't do, and would try to do everything
in a perfect way. Of the four girls in our family, she lucked out.
Being four years younger than I, she didn't know that she was in
a great depression. By the time she reached age 12 things were starting
to ease somewhat. More jobs were coming, the government was putting
people to work in several different projects - road work, building,
highways, factories started hiring. Our great depression was about
to leave, how happy we all were! What a lesson was taught to our
country and the people that had to endure this trying time. God
Bless them all for making our country a better place for our younger
generation, and I pray that it will never happen again. We have
the greatest country in the world and we must work together to always
keep it that way. I congratulate Mr. Tom Brokaw for his excellent
book, "The Greatest Generation " how true Mr. Brokaw,
we all thank you.
"Today"
We three
sisters today are very close and we talk often of our younger years.
There are many laughs, along with the many scars of our past. We
have always kept our faith, raised our children with honesty and
owe our wonderful parents so much gratitude for their guidance throughout
our young lives. All three of us still miss our sister, Geneva,
but some day we'll all be together with her in heaven. What a wonderful
reunion that will be, along with our mamma and daddy.
With my
best regards,
Ruthe
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