Being Poor by John Scalzi
Out of context: Reply #87
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my mother came from a poor family. She was an honor student in high school but got knocked up with me when she was a senior. My father was a high school drop out who worked on cars for a living. Although by choice, my mother could have had an abortion and went away to college- but instead decided to have here child (me) and try to make love work.
My father's family was equally poor- they both struggled to raise a child in the 70's with crappy jobs and no opportunity. Sure they could have got on a bus and traveled to a better location looking for better work- but who would watch the child (me) then? Who is going to hire a high school drop out who works on cars for more than he is already making?
Soon after my brother and sister were born. My mom and dad got divorced because of my father's problem with alcoholism.
My mother worked 2 jobs, and was on welfare in order to pay for everything we needed.
We lived in a crappy miner's house.
We got free cheese.
I had to get lunch tickets at school that I was so embarassed to use I usually went without lunch altogether.Growing up I was so jealous of richer families I would steal to get by. I would have to steal jsut to get up some money to go to the movies with friends since my mother never had a dime to give me.
My mother got a 3rd job during the holidays so we can have christmas.
Without a parent around, my brother and sisters school grades sucked and they had no real discpline. I would be there for them when I was younger but as I got older I wanted to hang with friends instead of babysit family.
I started working when I was 14 years old on a farm and then a green house.
I moved out during my senior year of high school.
I went to college for Graphic Design without even owning my own computer. I learned photoshop 3 by reading books instead of using the application. I would use the computer lab in school when I could but at the time classes were held there too so that wasn't always an option.
My mother went to college at age 30 and is now a nurse with her own house and a nice life.
I moved to NYC and live on someone's floor for a year.
I live in Philly now- work for myself- and try to get by but still live paycheck to paycheck at times.
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Being poor is real.