hear out of his left ear so they would not take him. Father got a good job at a plant in California where they made airplanes for the Army. I finished high school about the time the war was over and was always ashamed of the hard times we went through and never told any of my High School friends about it.Looking back after all these years, I believe the depression affected me differently than it did my Father because if he did find a job there was little chance for promotion since so many jobs were eliminated during the depression. Father almost lost confidence in himself, but he never lost his ambition.I became more concerned with material possessions than Father ever was. After the economy improved because of the War and with my High School behind me, I found a good job. I wanted appliances, a car, and a house. I wanted financial security. The depression also affected my relationship with my children. They never knew the experience of being wiped out, of living in an old car, of going hungry. They know nothing about having to struggle for money and a job. They did not understand why we, as their parents, put such great importance on material possessions and financial security. They certainly criticized us for having such attitudes. This lack of communication and understanding caused what was known as the ‘gemeration gap’ of the 1960's and 1970's. As I write these memories, I reflect on all of those that have gone before me. We never knew that we were having such hard times. To us, it was a normal way of life. Looking back I realize what a happy childhood I had. Even though our clothes were old, they were always clean. Father never left us. We prayed before every meal. We were a family together and forever....
