DG,
Many people lived a similar life. You're not an unusual case in point.
My paternal grandfather died a month before I was born. My beloved Grandmother moved in with us. After some time of adjustment she went back to work. She took a bus both ways & worked at a hospital.
For years me & my 3 younger sisters lived in 1 bedroom.
My Dad was inflicted with Parkinson's disease when he was in his early thirties after a car accident. When he came home from the hospital he couldn't hold a pen, walking was a challenge. And we were afraid to look at him.
Mom went to work, we were in school by then. She sewed doll clothes for Christmas presents for us from the scraps left over from sewing dresses for us for church.
I babysat at 12 yrs old & made .50 cents an hour. At 15 I worked in a beauty salon on Friday's after school & Saturday's washing hair etc.
I was responsible for my clothes & shoes by 13, except for a winter coat.
By 16 I saved over 300.00. Dad found out & borrowed it to repair his truck.
He was an alcoholic & I resented him for spending his money on alcohol & needing mine for repairs.
So DG, you're not the only one with a history of tough times & I HOPE you remember that in the future.
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