I'm so glad I have my Active Rain friends and co-workers surrounding me. These times they are a hurtin'. I believe that a rose displays as much beauty on a cloudy day as it does on a sunny day. It is all in how you look at the rose. Of course, there's the famous saying, "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" and Shakespeare knew his writing. That's about all he knew but hey...we are not all good at everything.
I flashed back to one of the stories that meant so many giggles when my mom use to tell it to me and I decided to share it with you today.
THE GREAT DEPRESSION (and just what was so great about it)?
Up until 1931 my Grandfather and his family consisted of Grandmother and 8 children living in Alice Texas. My family owned 400 acres, a home and farming equipment when the Great Depression hit. My Grandfather was unable to pay his balance to the bank before foreclosure to the tune of $300.00. Yep, that's it. $300.00. He could have paid all monies owed back if the bank had allowed him to harvest on time. But, they said, "sorry, gotta go." So, off they went.
They loaded the 1920 Model T Ford converted to a truck with all their personal belongings that would fit and 8 (eight) children. My mother being the youngest at age 3 had a mouth that never stopped!
What a chatter box.
Just like me. The traveling was slow and painful of course but they were headed up north to find work in factories and decided to pick cotton, fruit, and anything else they could do along their way.
They experienced flat tire after flat tire, hunger, and were spending the night on the side of the roads.
They finally came to the Red River to cross from Texas to the state of Oklahoma. Grandaddy was excited because the fields were full of work for them on the other side. He sat down with the children and explained what was about to happen.
The Red River had a toll bridge. Each vehicle that passed had to pay 10 cents per person to cross. "whew"
For them that was almost all he had. He explained to the children that they simply didn't have enough money to cross the bridge if they didn't hide and be very, very quiet. He arranged a tarp that covered all of the children in the back with their belongings and Grandaddy and Grandmother sat proudly in the front of the Model T.
All children were settled and they began their journey across the Red River.
MOTHERS PERSPECTIVE: It was so hot. I could feel the sun beating on the tarp and smell something that wasn't so good and I just wanted out of there. I had to go potty and I was thirsty. I waited and I waited and I was certain it had to be over...
GRANDPARENTS PERSPECTIVE: We were in a start and stop line of cars. We finally got there. The man asked us how many and we answered TWO (2). He said, "that will be 20 cents please."
At that moment, my little mother threw the tarp back and screamed, "Daddy, are we there yet?"
Needless to say, the man at the toll bridge scratched his neck looking puzzled then asked...."and, how many children do you have back there?"
A full dollar later they were in Oklahoma. They were ready to build their future in the Great Depression. They had no money but they had love and children and a great hope for survival.
I really hope this brought a smile to your face and hope to your heart and an understanding of just how blessed we are. We are still the greatest Nation in this world and our futures are what we make them.
After thought: The land my grandparents gave up in Alice Texas is now an active part of the KING RANCH 
known for its abundance of oil. The bankers knew this in the beginning and this may be why they took the land.
I love my family and my life and I wouldn't change it for all the oil in Texas.
I will be bringing more of their past if you enjoyed this. Thanks for reading.
No silver spoon in my mouth! Save your change...
Later in the rain~Deb
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Lake Livingston Real Estate is my passion. I have a deep love of The Piney Woods and am Proud to be a Realtor! Lake Livingston Real Estate is one of the few Undiscovered Secrets in Texas. SSSShhhh...
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Deb, my parents and grandparents passed on a lot of amazing depression stories. It would have been "great" had it not happened, but they were better people for having lived through it.
Deb, I absolutely love this story! As bad as it gets, family and love is, in the end, what matters most, what we cherish, and what we remember. Thank you for sharing this story, and keep writing, you're good at it!
Debi
My Dad just told me about riding the rails.
Deb, I like your recollections of the stories of the Depression. All I know is it raised a group of VERY frugal people later in their lives. They definitely remembered that experience. Unemployment was so high too.
Patricia, we must remember how good we have it even if it's not as good as we want it to be!
Debi, thank you so much. It was one of my most cherished stories told by my mom.
Marchy, I would like to hear the story myself. It's time we all grasped what we have in this time. Looking back is a good way to appreciate our time now.
Thanks you guys, Deb
Deb, That's a great story and I have some from my family too. Maybe I will write them too. Hard times can bring some good times also, we must remember that.
Gary, you're not kidding...
Later in the rain~Deb
Ricki, there are so many stories out there. We are really blessed with what we have today and I don't ever want to forget that. Our attitudes were that of "EXCESS" and we should learn to be happy with the little things. I'm trying. Mom would want me to. Tell your stories my friend. I would love that.
Later in the rain~Deb
Deb - That was a heratwarmig story. Thanks for sharing.
hi Deb, wow that kind of puts things in perspective. I know so many people from so many walks of life going thru such difficult times right now. So much has changed in the past 12 months.
One thing I've learned is that hard times make us appreciate the important things in life even more. Nite {hug}.
Hi Deb! You know, I didn't eve get the true meaning of your post--I just enjoyed the heck out of the STORY! You had me on the edge of my seat--wondering if all was going to be well under that tarp! Isn't it funny how your mom and your grandparents remembered the story and they still managed a smile or even a good chuckle about it later on--I'm sure AFTER the depression! OH, Yea--the GREAT depression! I am hoping that it doesn't get any worse in '09, aren't you?
Hey, you keep sharing those stories--maybe I just LOVE history but, your stories are very captivating. I'll bet your children love your story telling, don't they?
Howdy there Deb, my friend
Folk's these day's just don't know, what real hradship is. The bank's back then, did a lot of under handed things to steal land from hard working folk's. Thank you for sharing, your family's story with all of us.
Hi Deb, Great story! My father was born in 1929, and has shared many stories with me of how he, along with his 3 brothers, went without food on many occasions. Some days, all he had to eat was a few apricots he picked off a neighbor's tree. I can't imagine what life must have been like for him. We should all be so thankful that we are able to eat more than just potatoes every day!
Carol, I'm glad you enjoyed it. If you had known my mother you would have loved her. Everyone did.
marti, it really does put things in perspective doesn't it? We may see our lives grow more and more difficult but I don't ever see us getting to that point. Let's hope things begin to change for the better in the next 12 months. Hugs right back to you.
Debe, My point of the story is simply that the hardships now are not even close to what they were back then. We need to count our blessings and know just how lucky we are. I'm glad you enjoy my stories. My mother was telling me these up until five years ago when I lost her. I hope to get all the stories that are still in my memory banks in black and white for my generations to come. This is part of the reason I started Diary of a Realtor. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Dale, You got the true meaning right off the bat my friend! I'm not sure that the banks aren't going in the very same direction as we speak. Kinda scary!
Thanks to you all. Deb
Melinda, my mom called the meal of beans, fried potatoes and corn bread the "depression" meal. It was cheap and filling. I still like it. It is kind of a "comfort" food. I can't imagine ever having to go hungry. That is one thing I have been blessed with not having to experience. Thanks for commenting.
Later in the rain~Deb
We all have our "stories" of our family origins. Great story. Americana at it's best.
Deb, what a story you have and passed down from your mom as a child. Those stories are what cement us together. As bad as it was, folks still worked and had comfort food.They came out of it and we will too. Nah, nothing great about the depression except the values our parents and grandparents imparted to us.
Deb: Amazing story! You are so right...there was nothing 'great' about it, but as so many of the other commenters have noted, it sure helped shape the "Greatest Generation."
Thanks for sharing!
Deb,
Your story did bring a smile to my face. Are we passing along the stories from our past to our children like our parents and grandparents did? I'm afraid we are not and so much family history is being lost.
It really is amazing to think about what people had to go through back then. Although the circumstances are different there are a lot of folks who feel the same way right now.
Melinda, My mom was born in 1928 so our parents were of the same era. What a saver she was. I could learn a lot from that.
Lenn, I know I have tons of them. I plan to try and get them written for my grandchildren. I'm glad you stopped by to read it. Thanks Lenn.
Missy, You're right about passing down the values. Our children are only aware of abundance. At least for now.
Kim, I hope our future generations do not have to experience anything like this.
Thanks for stopping by. Later in the rain~Deb
Deb, I really enjoyed it - keep these stories coming!
It really makes you count your blessings, doesn't it? My parents had a 2 bedroom farmhouse in S Dakota, no electricity and a double outhouse - a valuable upgrade for a family with 9 children.
Aww what a cute story. It appears they made out OK as you're here to tell the story. I hope this depression doesn't last 10 years.
My parents and grandparents can share stories much the same. Back then people did not give up just continued to look forward and work hard. If it were not for them we would not be able to enjoy what we have today. We have much to be thankful for.
Virginia, It certainly does make me count my blessings. One of, if not the biggest, blessing was my mother herself. She was something else and I loved her stories. I have many yet to write.
Georgina, me too. If it lasts that long I could be dead before it's over. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Carl and Ceil, aren't the stories wonderful? I can still remember mom saying how she walked two miles to school...or was it three? Anyway, I know we have it much better today. I admire our forefathers for the fortitude and endurance they showed us all.
Thank you all~Later in the rain~Deb
Deb,
What a captivating story....sounds like you are blessed in life with a wonderful family. Families like yours is what makes our country what it is....we times get tough we just keep goin...
Bring it, Deb! I'd love to hear more stories of your past, our collective past. Maybe a series? :)
Deb, what great stories and photos. Thanks for the opportunity to get to know you better.
Deb - I really enjoyed reading this story. I think that it is really cool that you know your family's history this well. Keep 'em coming.
Deb -- Wonderful story. I really like the old stories of whatever era. I hope you will write some more of your family history. Your story reminded me of a couple that my mother told - I may try and write those also.
I kept getting sidetracked by the contest lol and have been here three time in the past two days...oh, well...here I am again.
The great depression and any depression teaches us wonderful learning lessons. My parents lived through that time so of course I heard the stories....many stories...going to school and then walking 3 miles to Japanese school after. Poor poor poor. So now I have to keep going to moms (when she's not there) to throw away the many broken toasters and hair dryers....because it can't go to waste. What she will make out of them I could not figure...but there sure were some antique stuff!
Bottom line....family is what was worth everything in the world. We have that...and then some :)
Wow,what a great story Deb! Your mom was so cute and it really does put things in perspective from where were then to where we are now....
What a great story for you and your family to have shared with us. I think we need more stories like this to get us through the times we are in now. People need to realize that our grandparents had it a lot worse, but if we don't pay attention we could be back there again.
Your families love and sense of humor clearly got them through the tough times, despite not having money, the love never left.
Deb - It's wonderful that we have a point from which we can draw some sort of understanding throughout our history. Yes, that generation had it much worse. Over Thanksgiving, I had a chance to read my Aunt's memoirs as a child when she grew up in The Great Depression. It was eye-opening for sure. We'll get through this, hell or high water.
Hi Deb-My parents lived thru the Great Depression and it made them more thankful and appreciate the value of a dollar and they carried those lessons with them all thruout their lifetime. Wonderful and heart warming post of the value of family and the struggles they overcame. Have a great week. :-)