Out of This World

I grew up in the countryside where farming was manual work and not done with any sort of fancy machinery, nor did we have any tractors, or silos, or acres upon acres of land. Instead my parents had to rent a cow to till the soils each planting season.

Yes, RENTING a cow was normal and necessary in that part of the world.

My parents were farmers (read: peasants) and did tailor work on the side. Life was simple. Spend all your energy and time making ends meet and not a waking minute spared to think of anything else, would undoubtedly make anyone’s life simple. We were unbelievably poor and had no money to buy anything but the necessities, even so, we were barely getting by. There were no snacks to be had. We’d be so lucky to have a balanced meal once in a while. My parents’ most prized possessions were two ordinary bicycles that they each used for transportation around town. I had no idea what a car ride felt like, or how memorable a cross-country car trip would be. Don’t ask about my favorite childhood television shows or cartoon characters, or to reminisce how bathe times were so great because, there were no in-door plumbing and no electricity. We’d be lucky if the power was on for 5 hours straight. So basically we didn’t have anything electrical (that eliminates pretty much EVERYTHING in most current household in the West). Wouldn’t have been able to afford any even if there were electricity to be had. And don’t ask to see pictures of when I was a baby/child. We didn’t have a camera and the only times we got pictures taken were at the studio in town, half an hour away. I think we went less than 5 times when I was growing up. I never had any toys as a child. Instead my brother and I played with sticks, rocks, and bugs that we find around the village.

Not everyone in my (extended) family were poor like this. In fact, I think we were the only ones. Nevertheless, my brother and I thrived in school. School was not free; there are no government paid public schools. We had to pay tuition – which cost my parents about ¼ or more of their yearly earnings. My brother and I were usually in the top 10 of our class, if not top 3. Our classes were always large, with over 60 students. Other kids looked up to us. We were the cool kids, even though we were amongst the poorest of the poor.

I have no idea how my parents got through those difficult years. But they did. They are the strongest people I know. They love their family and have determination and dedication toward them, and just trod on, face to face with hardship. I admire and love them to no end.

With the same sense of determination, dedication, and hard work, and starting off with the equivalent of NOTHING, they’ve succeeded once again on this side of the globe. They gave my brother and I everything they could, and more. They believed in us and made sure we both graduate from college, get jobs that would require brains and not muscles, and make a life more comfortable than what they were dealt with. I will never be able to repay what they’ve given me, but I sure as hell try hard to please them and make them proud of every aspect of my life.

Thank you Mom & Dad, for everything. I love you both so very much. Happy 32nd Anniversary.