Who and What Shaped You???

We are once again nearing the holiday season of Christmas, a time when most are putting on their festive attire, putting up their festive decorations and embracing their festive spirits. This year seems a little bleaker than many of the past Christmases that I have witnessed. The economy is slowing, more people are struggling than ever before to meet their financial obligations of paying bills and finding a reasonably priced, decent place to live. The act of buying food has become a lesson in futility for many. Prices are sky high, and inflation has pushed an already declining dollar to palpable lows.

As my mind pondered on these things, I was taken back to a time in my own history that is sketched in my memory. I was raised in a small town by a single mother who did her best by and for us. But to say that we were a family of little means is quite the understatement. As a child, especially a young child you often don't realize when you are poor. As a side note, being poor should have no negative connotation associated with it. The thought of any shame should be squarely put on the shoulders of those who have the power to make sure that NO ONE who lives in the richest, most powerful country in the world lives in poverty. No one wants to be poor, no one wants to struggle financially, and no one wants a life of lack. The only instance of an inkling of the feeling of shame about this situation should be if someone refuses to try to do better, if they are not actively trying to have a better existence, if that is at all possible. But- I digress.

This came to mind for me because, hey it’s Christmas time. A time for buying and gifting and supposedly celebrating the birth of Christ. But for many it is a time of want. A time when need is exacerbated the most. A time of realizing what you may desire, but don’t have.

It also brought to mind a lesson I learned many years ago as a teen. I was enrolled in an art class during high school, and we were supposed to bring in supplies for a project the following Monday. I was a typical kid not thinking of Monday on a Friday and I forgot to bring in the supplies that Monday. The reason this memory has stayed with me so long is not the actual act of forgetting the supplies, but the reaction that I received from my then teacher.

She was an interesting character. A tall, full-figured woman with very blond hair and with a bit of a scowl for a face. I’m not sure if she was just having a bad start to her week, or if she really felt the loathing that she expressed toward me that day. As I mentioned previously, I forgot the supplies for the art project. One of my classmates had brought in some extra items and gave me some from her surplus. For whatever reason this did not sit well with the teacher. She called the student up and proceeded to tell her that she should not have shared the supplies with me and that I was not someone that she should in essence associate with. Now how she came up with the nexus of me not having art supplies and in turn labeling me with having a less than stellar character to this day befuddles me.

In reality I did forget the supplies, but being someone of little means actually means that the simple act of bringing in supplies and certainly foodstuff supplies is a difficult one. If there were macaroni, beans or other items that were traditionally used for cooking, they would have been used for just that when you are poor. Not for cute decorative art projects.

I am reminded of this when I hear a story of a child not being served lunch, or the lunch is taken away because they are in arrears on their lunch account. Or, especially at this time of year when many organizations are collecting clothing, food and other items for people in need. This saddens me because, why? Why are we still experiencing this conundrum?

When you give what are you truly thinking about? Do you really think about that child, or adult even, that is in need? Are you giving begrudgingly, with the thought as my prior teacher did of “this person really should be taking care of their own needs.” Who are you when you give? Or who are you when you don’t, especially if you are able to.

This holiday season will feel a bit different. There are tragic wars going on around the world. Affordability in every aspect is at an historic low. People are being pushed and pulled in directions that are assaultive to the core.

I encourage you to hang in and hang on. Don't let these times make you feel and act like my art teacher; mean spirited and judgmental. Give if you can- but if you can’t, you are no less worthy!