Growing Up Poor Prepared Me for a Global Pandemic
When you’re poor, you know better than to ask for things like fireworks on the Fourth of July or trips to the pumpkin patch in the fall. Purchases are limited to things that are essential, like toilet paper, water in the house, and a roof over your head. But growing up poor made me used to things being taken away from me.
My brothers were old enough to be out on their own so for quite some time it was always me and my mom. There were always nights of us just wondering, “Are we going to make it? Can we even make it?” I remember when we moved to our first Greene Met house when I was in high school, we couldn’t afford dishes and I use a olive jar for a cup for weeks. Luckily, we were able to get hand me down dishware as starters.
At times growing up, we didn’t even have hot water. Or any water for laundry or a shower. Ever do dishes in a bathtub after you took a bath in what seemed like a teaspoon of water as a plus size child?
But growing up poor isn’t all bad. In fact, over time, I’ve learned to see some of the things growing up poor taught me. If we’re talking in terms of silver spoons, kids who grow up poor are grateful just to have a plastic spork. I appreciate everything I have and the hard work it took to get it. My expectations are often exceeded, because my bar for acceptable is typically lower than most. I don’t require fancy things to be happy, and I value the safety and health of my family above all else. And when I do have nice things? It is typically very difficult for me to internally believe that I deserve it or that I actually have something nice.
Which brings me to how I am dealing with Covid-19. Did I think growing up poor would prepare me for a global pandemic? Not at all. When you are so used to experiencing loss in life and things are always going wrong, you learn to just roll with it. Oh, stuck inside for a month? Ok. “Hey Mom! Remember when we went like 14 days without power and all we did was play Animal Crossing on my DS? Seem pretty familiar again?”
I know what it is like to experience things being taken away from me so quickly and many people of this world have never had that which is a huge stressor for them. “When will my next meal be? When can I pay rent next? How can I…” The list goes on and on. I’m not trying to brag that I have a job or that I am doing ok for myself right now during the pandemic. But I am very proud that I can support my family during this tough time! And if a friend reaches out, I can help them too. So please, if you are reading this and I can help in any way, let me know and I will try to find a way.
Strength and resilience are a fortunate byproduct of growing up poor. When things don’t come easy, you learn to push harder and find alternate paths. I read somewhere that attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure, and it couldn’t be more true. Some of my greatest qualities are because I chose to view our circumstances as an adventure.
Little about my childhood or teenage years were easy. Heck, to be honest? We struggled until…well? Now. I’ve come away from my past a stronger woman than I might have been if things were different. Growing up poor made me who I am today, and for that, I’m grateful. And for those of you who are experiencing things changing and everything being taken away from you right now, I’m here for you. I understand. We can all work together during this and after this pandemic to help one another.
My brothers were old enough to be out on their own so for quite some time it was always me and my mom. There were always nights of us just wondering, “Are we going to make it? Can we even make it?” I remember when we moved to our first Greene Met house when I was in high school, we couldn’t afford dishes and I use a olive jar for a cup for weeks. Luckily, we were able to get hand me down dishware as starters.
At times growing up, we didn’t even have hot water. Or any water for laundry or a shower. Ever do dishes in a bathtub after you took a bath in what seemed like a teaspoon of water as a plus size child?
But growing up poor isn’t all bad. In fact, over time, I’ve learned to see some of the things growing up poor taught me. If we’re talking in terms of silver spoons, kids who grow up poor are grateful just to have a plastic spork. I appreciate everything I have and the hard work it took to get it. My expectations are often exceeded, because my bar for acceptable is typically lower than most. I don’t require fancy things to be happy, and I value the safety and health of my family above all else. And when I do have nice things? It is typically very difficult for me to internally believe that I deserve it or that I actually have something nice.
Which brings me to how I am dealing with Covid-19. Did I think growing up poor would prepare me for a global pandemic? Not at all. When you are so used to experiencing loss in life and things are always going wrong, you learn to just roll with it. Oh, stuck inside for a month? Ok. “Hey Mom! Remember when we went like 14 days without power and all we did was play Animal Crossing on my DS? Seem pretty familiar again?”
I know what it is like to experience things being taken away from me so quickly and many people of this world have never had that which is a huge stressor for them. “When will my next meal be? When can I pay rent next? How can I…” The list goes on and on. I’m not trying to brag that I have a job or that I am doing ok for myself right now during the pandemic. But I am very proud that I can support my family during this tough time! And if a friend reaches out, I can help them too. So please, if you are reading this and I can help in any way, let me know and I will try to find a way.
Strength and resilience are a fortunate byproduct of growing up poor. When things don’t come easy, you learn to push harder and find alternate paths. I read somewhere that attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure, and it couldn’t be more true. Some of my greatest qualities are because I chose to view our circumstances as an adventure.
Little about my childhood or teenage years were easy. Heck, to be honest? We struggled until…well? Now. I’ve come away from my past a stronger woman than I might have been if things were different. Growing up poor made me who I am today, and for that, I’m grateful. And for those of you who are experiencing things changing and everything being taken away from you right now, I’m here for you. I understand. We can all work together during this and after this pandemic to help one another.
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