A Christmas Story...(Part 1 )

[Dan-MO]

For at least the 1000th time I glanced at the stack of bills piled neatly on top of the refrigerator and still had no idea how they would ever get paid. It was early December 1980 and I had been out of work for most of the year with no immediate prospects of finding work. All of our savings we had struggled so hard to save for a down payment on our own home was now gone-used to live on and pay rent on the drafty old house my wife, myself and our 2 small children were living in. Just that very morning my parents and insisted that I take enough money from them to buy groceries and a couple of very inexpensive Christmas presents each for the kids . I had grudgingly accepted it - because we were nearly out of options. My wife had mentioned something about signing up for public assistance and that was the final straw to my wounded ego and pride- I had verbally

 

[Wayne in BC]

will ring familiar to many. It is already giving me a prickles on the spine. Hope i have internet tomorrow!

 

[Sunny]

time in my life, Dan! I believe as you and your Dad, and I can't wait to hear the rest of this story!

 

[Micheal_R]

n/t

 

[Paul (AR)]

and I remember we didn't get a pay check for that month because the budget for the next year was not approved by congress. We finally did get a retro pay the following month.

 

[Rob/Windsor Ont.]

1980 was brutal here too ! People were losing their homes like crazy. I'm anxious to see how you managed your way out of that mess.

 

[VT Dave]

bet your Daddy had the right idea! Waitin on part II.

Dave

 

[Royal]

I always had a job while I had children. I never had those hard times. We did when we were kids but didn't know it. I give credit to my parents for that. My parents and the fact than none of our friends had anything either

It had to be hard with a family