Next Wednesday, October 29, marks the 96th anniversary of the stock market crash that officially triggered America’s Great Depression. But next Wednesday also marks what would have been my parents 75th wedding anniversary. Although inadvertent, the earlier date certainly impacted the union that took place on the latter one. Let me explain.
My father was born in 1922 and my mother came along 8 years later. As such, they both experienced the stresses of the Depression that severely affected many Americans throughout the 1930s. Dad often shared stories of the hunger he experienced as his father struggled to support his family who were living in New York City. He talked about eating paint off the walls as well as wearing ragged clothes. At some point during the Depression, his parents moved their family back to the Shenandoah Valley convinced that it had to be better here than in the Big Apple.
Mom’s family, on the other hand, remained near Woodstock during those difficult years and fared a bit better due to their gardens and the surrounding agricultural community that provided improved nutrition. That’s not to say, however, that they didn’t know poverty as they, along with all the rest of the nation, limped through those lean years.
As is always the case, God is able to bring good from bad. Mom and Dad made it out of the Depression as did most others of that time, but the Depression never fully made it out of them. Their experiences growing up during scarcity made an indelible impression that shaped the way they lived the rest of their lives.
Because they knew what it was to be in need, both of them became quite frugal. Dad saved every scrap of lumber and even salvaged nails if he could straighten them. Mom washed and reused plastic bags and mended our holey socks time and again. When it came time to clean out their home, we threw out many peanut butter jars and plastic containers they had stashed “just in case.” While they weren’t hoarders, they seldom threw anything away that could possibly be reused.
They also didn’t frivolously spend money. Mom clipped coupons and their occasional splurges might include a meal out at McDonalds or an ice cream treat at Tasty Freeze. Because of the lessons the Depression taught them, we children benefited by always having food to eat and clothes to wear. Our parents provided for our health care and we even were able to take vacations although they were usually to visit and stay with out-of-state relatives.
One of the most wonderful traits the Depression taught them was gratitude. Our mother, in particular, constantly thanked God for the smallest of blessings that we took for granted. Whether it was her old wringer washer that still wrung, or a fresh tomato from the garden, she never failed to express her thankfulness to God. Because they both knew what it was not to have these blessings, they cherished them and were more thankful when they did.
Perhaps the most valuable byproduct of the Great Depression in our parents was the generosity it engendered in them both. They often reached out to provide for the less fortunate. Sometimes it was a monetary gift while other times it was a meal or some decent clothes. Only in heaven will we know how much they shared with others.
The Great Depression brought many hardships to so many Americans and some families had it much worse than our folks. Thankfully, most of the generation that grew up during those difficult times allowed their experiences to fashion godly traits that served them, their families, and our nation well. I pray that we never have to experience another economic collapse like that one, but as we approach October 29, may we allow the Holy Spirit to develop godly character in us without having to endure the bitterness and poverty brought on by a Great Depression. Blessings, George