June 18: Hunger

 

Deep in the Depression, my Grandfather, Gerow, built this playhouse in the yard. It immediately became a special place for his children as well as the neighbors!

I wonder if this was a time when there was little work for a welder and jack-of-all trades who could fix almost anything in spite of limited education ? I wonder if he was bored of if he always had a plan to sell it? 

As the story goes, for a few magical months, Natalie, about 5, Lucille, about 10, and Mary Etta, about 15 created a lifetime of memories there. As my mother who was too young to grasp the hunger and poverty of the day told the story many years later, they all were heartbroken when the little house was sold. 

As I reflect on the story, I suspect there is a whole lot more to the story! I suspect the  building and selling was about hunger. Those were hard times and clearly, my Grandfather in the background, was much thinner than in later years when I knew him! There was not always enough food is the one thing they all agreed upon.

I'm also grateful my mother wrote under the picture, "Don't I feel proud of my playhouse, 1936!" 

Hunger

Parents do hard things

To put food on the table 

Quiet the rumbling