Tuesday, July 20, 2010

My Poor Rich Life


On this day in the late 1900’s, umpteen years ago, I came into the world kicking and screaming, weighing in at just over 6 pounds, with a steady weigh gain ever since. The head full of black hair was soon replaced with blonde by growing out, not falling out. I looked like I had been dipped. I grew up poor *insert the sound of screeching tires here* My definition (then) of 'poor' and the reality of poor are two different things. Poor is having nothing and lacking everything. Poor by definition is~ Deprived Underprivileged Needy Disfavored Weak Inadequate Meager Inferior Mediocre.

I came to realize that I had everything I needed and wanted…and then some. Self reflection is good for shaking you into knowing the truth. Here are some truths: I was drugged as a child on a daily basis…drug to church, drug everywhere my Mama went, drug to the pea patch or corn field, and drug to the grandparents every other weekend. The grandparents live in a palace (mini country farm) where the pillows were filled with authentic down feathers (straight from the chicken’s butt) *insert sneeze here* This princess was allergic! The meats were all freshly butchered (in the country kitchen, by Grannie, including that chicken). The veggies were all natural, organic, handpicked, selected and shelled (by everyone and anyone that ate). There were acres and acres to roam and explore, from wide open fields (working fields of corn and cotton) to the lush shady woods with rippling streams (roamed by foot, no quarter horses to ride). Just up the street (dirt road) was the Methodist church, where we all attended on Sunday if we stayed over night at Grannie and Granddaddy’s. The church was old so the air conditioner (opened windows) didn’t work real well, so the fans (paper ones from the funeral home) were held and waved by hand. The singing was good and the little Sunday school room smelled of crayons. If I close my eyes I can still hear Grannie’s voice singing and smell that smell……

Growing up I only wore designer clothes, all custom made (by my Mama on her Singer ZigZag) There were three of us children, the average middle class American family…. a sister and a brother, and I was caught in the middle…The dreaded middle child...always in the middle of everything. I was always into whatever my Daddy was doing. Yep I was a TomBoy…romped and played with all the boys in the neighborhood. The TomBoy phase lasted until I discovered that boys were cute…well some of them anyway.

When I was young we had our own gym…(a gym set, swings with a sliding board), in the back yard. We also had professional driving lessons ...in the back yard too…(self taught by going round and round in a dune buggy made by my Daddy). Our swimming pool (a large foot tub and a water hose) kept us cool in the hot summers. We were scientist who invented and used our imagination to its fullest (mostly dreaming of the what ifs).


 We were doctors, poking and prodding; lawyers dictating lots of rules and defending the helpless; and we were even the occasional Indian chief who made sure the rules were followed. Barbie was my best friend and Davy Jones was my idol. 
We each had a good education for as many years as we cared to pursue…our minds were expanded and talents were utilized and built upon. I could do or be anything I wanted to be. And what I wanted to be was an artist…to create, paint, draw, and photograph. What I became was a wife with a job in a bank, a Mama to Holly years later, a Baptist, and an artist too; by her own right and God given talent… talents pursued not by profession or job but by pleasure, desire, and choice.

These were all my choices. You see, life is as luxurious and rich as you believe it to be. One person’s richness is to another considered a poor life. I am blessed with the richness of a Mama and Daddy that are still living and still married to each other and to have had grandparents that I looked up to, who loved and adored us. We were taught values and morals, given responsibilities (chores) and an allowance (a very small amount of $ with certain privileges). I am blessed to have a husband, the only one I’ve ever had, a beautiful daughter, wonderful family on both sides, and lots and lots of great friends. Rich by definition is ~ Prosperous Full Plentiful Stuffed (I love that one) Valuable Sweet Fertile Productive Fruitful Strong Opulent Precious Abounding
….So you see…Rich describes my life...My life as I know and love it,
from the day I was born and born again until today…My Birthday!



I have been blessed more than I deserve. I’m thankful for actually having another birthday; for friends that share my birthday; and for all the small things today. We all have our special day…so…Happy Birthday to you too.

I made myself a Birthday Pie...a Blueberry Birthday Pie!






 




Janan I will share the recipe with you later...it is easy!
Happy Birthday Christina and Kim =)
After thought~ Grannie always called me on my Birthday and sang to me~
~Swoon~
I miss that.....

24 comments:

Cindy said...

Good Morning Sunshine~~~ Now that is a saying I use for my FRIENDS!!!!

I am HOME..yeah..and the first blog up on my dashboard is yours!!What a wonderful life you did have..and do have.We share similiar growing up on the farm experiences!! lol

I want to wish you a Happy.. Happy..Joy filled day...shared with loved ones and of course some of your favorite food...A Happy Birthday to a very special woman..who shares with us ..teachs us..and makes us yearn for simpler days!!!!!And that my friend makes us happy!!

So wishing you a Happy Birthday!!!!

Hugs and squeezes from Cindy at Rick-Rack and Gingham

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your blog post! And your birthday pie made my mouth water....
FaceBook post by Cinda Tucker McLendon

Julie Harward said...

Well...HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORA...a great day, the day you were born. I loved this post, it could have been written about me! This is my childhood and life, except I never had a barbi doll..I was such a tomboy too, raised on a farm, poor but so rich too...I wouldn't trade it for anything, it made me strong and well balanced...just like you! Have a great day...the pie is divine!

CJ said...

Happy, Happy Birthday, Ms Cora!!!! Enjoy your special day♥
Your birthday blueberry pie looks sooo yummy!!
Hugz,
Cathy♥♥

christina said...

i loved this story, loved every bit of it. and i bet you had the best designer clothes ever!!!
ima jus take a slice of that pie and enjoy the day. yummy!
Happy Birthday my friend! You are one of Gods most beautiful blessings in my life.
xo

Shelby and Bev said...

if i was there i would sing to you...
i am a middle child too...
i love the story of your life...
and i really, really, really want a piece of that pie!
love ya!

***HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEAUTIFUL***

Sherry said...

I enjoyed your story and wish you a very Happy Birthday. We all should stop and reflect on how rich our lives really are. Thanks for sharing. The pie looks yummy, I just bought 2 new blueberry bushes today, they are my favorite.

Cheyenne said...

Happy Birthday! Your blog is so cheerful-you are such a great writer. I always grin when I read what you have to write.

Have a WONDERFUL day!

Sewn With Grace said...

Happy Birthday Cora!!! I just love your post. So much to think about. Resembles my life a bit too. I was a middle child who was drug everywhere and I'm so glad! Have a wonderful day celebrating you!

hjn said...

Oh how I LOVE this post!! It is perfect just as you are Mama Cora Belle! God made you perfect, yes He did. Perfect in His eyes. Happy Birthday my friend. You are a blessing to many. I miss my Granny too,,,her birthday card promptly arrived every year with a crisp $10 bill inside. Even when I was in my 30's I was sure to get my $10 bill. LOVE that and I LOVE her. A special day it was when Cora was born and the angels danced in heaven.

Southern Cinderella said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you have a FABULOUS birthday!!!

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

What a SPECTACULAR post my friend. I loved reading this. There must be something about being born on this day because I too love to draw, paint and photograph! LOL!
I hope you had a most blessed day!
HUGS
Kim

Cindy said...

Cora, Happy Birthday to you. I loved reading this, your childhood and growing up sounded perfect. I am a middle child too. your life is rich and you are truly blessed. a big birthday hug, oh and I will be over for desert. hugs.

Susan said...

Happy Birthday Cora. I enjoy reading your blog...and this one made me remember so much. I am a middle child and this post could have been written by me...so many similarities. Hope you had a great day. Please share the pie recipe...it looks so good.
Susan

Holly said...

Happy Birthday to MY Momma! So glad to hear that you had a very special day filled with joy and love! I wish everyday I could be there with you! I want to try some of your yummy pie. I know it was so yummy...to bad I couldn't make it for you! I love you and miss you LOTS!

Birdie said...

Hi Cora, I came when I saw your comment at Christina's about the book you are reading right now - the second part of "Gone with the Wind" ... I read it years ago and I did like even though we can feel that the author is different ... so I wanted to ask you how do you enjoy this book? What do you think about it? I did love "gone with the wind" so much ... Happy birthday to you, this post is divine :-) Birdie

amelia said...

Happy Birthday Cora! I hope you had a fun day, can't wait to read the recipe for that pie!

Debra said...

Cora-this was lovely to read. I loved picturing your childhood memories...Happy Birthday!
Your blog is a sweet place.
Love, Debra

GwendolynKay said...

This is such a heartwarming post. You have a rich life indeed.
Blessings:)
Gwen

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

Happy belated birthday with best wishes for many happy birthdays ahead!

I enjoyed reading how you view your choices in your life! Very good attitude. I wish more people viewed life like that.

Anonymous said...

"I was reading your blog tonight and realized that I missed your birthday. So, Happy Belated Birthday! Hope your pie was as tasty as it looked."
FB comment by Nancy Brown

Susan said...

Happy belated birthday, Cora! Sorry I'm late to the party...did you save me any pie? Oh, shoot, I guess not...maybe next year.

Your life sounds exactly like mine, except I didn't have to go to Grandma's to experience it, she lived with us. My mom did all those things you mentioned. We belonged to the Baptist church where my uncle was the preacher. It was a good life, even though we were sorely lacking in money.

I hope you had a lovely birthday. I know the pie looks delicious!

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

I grew up thinking I was poor also. Not until I grew up and learned to appreciate things did I realize the real meaning of poor. I am constantly having to remind my kids how blessed they really are. They are so far from being poor. It's too bad we can't learn these lessons earlier in life! We sure wouldn't take as much for granted.

As always, I enjoyed your self reflections. Thanks so much for sharing.

I'm not a blueberry eater but that pie looks delicious! I love the pink sugar and flower on top, too cute!!

Faith said...

Cora,
You have touched my heart..This is a beautiful, truly from the heart. It is my inspiration for this day. Thank you. I missed your birthday this time around, I hope it was a beautiful one. And that pie...WOW...beautiful...blueberry mmm mmm good..Thank you for speaking right to my soul today...