Recently, while conducting historical research, I spoke to an older woman whose husband was born and reared in rural Lexington County in the first quarter of the last century. She described the primitive living conditions and the house where he lived without electricity or running water. He attended a crossroads schoolhouse when crop seasons and conditions allowed. I had seen a picture of him when he was under the age of five. In the photograph, he was dressed in "Sunday summer whites", jumper-shorts and no shirt, shoes and no socks and a cap. As we talked about his early childhood, I asked her what he thought about growing-up poor. She responded emphatically that he never though of himself as poor and that he was not poor. I was shocked by the strong response and remained silent for a moment. She explained that times were different then and that "living in the country off the land" gave them a sense of security and being able to take care of their own. They had plenty of food, warm shelter, faith, education and a community. If they received one or manufactured toys that was plenty. They came through the Great Depression owing no money and helping their neighbors and as the world changed and became more modern they stayed with what was tried and true and only added what was sensible. "Please do not ever say my husband grew up poor", she stated. To them they had love and all the things they needed"
I realized that in 100 years most of us have not only lost the ability to live from the land but also that most have lost the ability to connect with the "basics" and keep the "distractions" away.
Sometimes, just sometimes, being warm, safe, dry, fed and loved can make us the richest kids in the hood!