Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Musings


Do you every have one of those days where your mind wanders from subject to subject. Bits of this and bits of that. Musing days, wondering about what everyone here is going through today, good, bad and indifferent. I'm having a musing day I guess.

This often happens when I have to walk down to the little market to get milk for the day. Walking does that for me, clears my mind & lets things rise to the surface so I can fish them out and look at them. I was walking this morning in the snow - yes snow showers today. But wet Spring snow, fated to melt away and help the flowers spring up - I hope!! Anyway, I was thinking about people's perception of what poor means. I often wonder what people think when they learn we have no car. Often they look shocked and say - OMG how do you do that? Or the better one of late, Wow, you really are green!! That makes me giggle, as it didn't start as a green thing, but poor thing. We sold a car that was too small for the family and were unable to replace it due to well....life happening. The last couple of years we could have managed to get a car and insurance and gas...... but we have found after 6 years - we really didn't want to and liked the idea of lessening our carbon footprint. So, we have resisted. We keep saying we will in 6 months....

I was also contemplating the trend on tv to show how families can get on for a week (snort) or (OMG) a month without their car, or computer, or lattes - ok am getting sarcastic, sorry. Over the last ten years we have had times with no tv or for several years or only PBS. Public Radio has fascinating programing!!! We have lived without any furniture for a while and were blessed by others with wonderful things - I really do like beds - I really do!! We did not have Internet until about a year and a half ago. OK, I will have to say - that the Internet is a major joy to me!!!
We have spent a summer (thank goodness only the summer) with only a crock pot and an open fire pit to cook on. We also hauled all of our water that summer. It cured any romantic notion of homesteading I might have had. I really do not enjoy using an outhouse. Especially at 11pm!!!

Having been very well off most of my life and now having experienced being very poor I feel like I can say this without sounding preachy (I hope). You cannot truly understand what that Mom in the food bank, waiting in line for her turn feels like. It's pride sucking. The gal begging to not have her electricity turned off when the meter guy comes to the door. The parent who can't miss one more day of work for a sick child or they will loose their job. You really can't fully understand what that feels like until you have been there. I don't mean for a week, or a month or a year experiment. I mean for whatever time it takes, maybe never to pull yourself out of that hole you are in. I have been contemplating the state of the economy and how so many newly poor will have their hope stomped on and trashed and their pride washed away by need. Take it from someone who has been there and survived and managed by the grace of others has pulled herself out of the hole, don't loose hope, don't quit, reach out and don't be afraid to ask for help. Being without funds is a fact, poor is a state of mind. To all of you who are struggling right now - I'm pulling for you!! Thanks for putting up with my ramblings.

13 comments:

Barbara said...

Sarah,

You put it beautifully and you know how proud I am of how far you've come and how hard you've worked to get there. Love your blog and so happy we can keep in touch this way! xoxox your sis, Barbara

Sarah Sullivan said...

WHOOOHOOO it's BARB!!!!!! YAY!!! Hi hon!!!!

Unknown said...

You said it well dear Sarah! I've been poorer then I am now. I have a car, its broke down but I own it. We almost have our "shack" paid for. We love art more then material possessions. I think it depends on what poverty really means. We have a roof over our head, food to eat and opportunity to do better every day we wake up! I feel like I live in abundance yet others would think I am poor! I must say that the Internet is a MUST!! LOL Good subject!!

Heather said...

Oh I do love your ramblings! I think I would be blessed to not have a car! I spent about three hours cleaning and vaccuming that stupid thing Saturday! We are going to live outside of the city limits and plus were we live now puts me 8 miles from the college so I have to have a car. I contemplate how nice it would be to have a bike every day though! You sound happy with your choice actually and I won't hold it against you if you won't hold it against me that I have a bigger carbon footprint! Hey I do recycle my aluminum and plastic bags! I don't buy water in plastic bottles. So I think I'm helping a little!

Sorry for the blog in the blog. Also thanks for the perspective, I forget that I'm lacking funds sometimes and not poor! So from now on I'm not going to say "I'm broke!' It's going to be "I'm lacking funds!"

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

Well said...poor IS a state of mind. I have been on both sides of the fence and as bad as everything gets, all is worth it if you have the love of your family. What is a possession? Just a material thing that has no feeling or bearing on life. Cheers to you. BTW, ramble on...I love reading.

Christine said...

Ya' know what they say, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. It's very true!!!

Blessings,
Christine

Anonymous said...

Sarah, this is such a beautiful post. All about humility, grace and survival. This reminds me so much of the saying, "Until you have walked a mile in someone elses shoes..." You have done that, and now you are inspiring others. I love you!!!
xoxoxo

Anja said...

Well said.. everything. Poor is a state of mind. I remember being poor when i was a kid, but I never felt poor. I have really amazing parents and they never let us feel bad for not having all those stuff other kids had. They thought me to enjoy life as it is and not to want more and more and more.

Hugs

Michelle said...

Having always been varying degrees of 'poor' (as in very not rich) I can only see things from here.

I would at times like to experience the other side, just to compare notes of course :)

Whimsyfolkartist said...

Oh Sarah....are you sure we are not related lol? I think you are a warm genuine person and I am so glad I found you online! You always brighten my day and just lately the days here haven't been so bright. God bless you my new friend!

The Witches Room said...

I think some might consider my husband and I "poor" right now. We have just enough in the bank to eat and pay a few bills since his job loss in Jan. But we are so blessed in other ways and somehow we always manage to get what we need. I never, ever lose faith that we will be blessed with new opportunities. Thank you for sharing your story. It is helpful to hear of others triumphs.

Unknown said...

Sarah...come to my site and get a treat...LOL...

Smiles..

Sonia ;)

Be back to post on your blog momentarily..

LissaL said...

"What it's like" by Everlast is one of my favorite songs. No one truly knows until it is there turn. You have endured much, yet remaining strong. Sometimes we must go through darkness to truly know light. Midnight bewitches on brooms we radiate underneath the moon. See you when the clock strikes 12:)