My mother had 11 brothers and sisters that survived past infancy. There were several more that sadly did not.
One of her brothers, my Uncle Louis told me a story once about when he was just a little boy. Now I won't tell it the way he would have because as people have said to him "do we have to pack a lunch for this story".
The way I remember it was that back in his youth, around 1928 maybe, he was walking down the street in their home town in Manitoba. It was near Winnipeg, perhaps Transcona.
Uncle Louis looked down at the ground and found a nickel. That was more money than he could ever hope to have.
Oh my goodness what would he do with this fortune. He thought about it and thought about it. After all he has so many brothers and sisters. He went to the store and spent his nickel. He bought a can of sardines. Not candy. No. Simply a can of oily sardines. And do you know what he did with his treasure? Wrong. He went and hid in the attic and ate the whole can himself. You know what. I can't blame him. They lived in such poverty and this was his one selfish act to have the prize all to himself. To not have to share every waking and sleeping moment with the others.
Image via Wikipedia
Who can blame him! That was just the way it was for that generation.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't done any family research in a while so I spent the day on Friday digging. I found way more than I expected. Amazing, just amazing.
Hi Lori...
ReplyDeleteMy friend, I really enjoyed the story about your Uncle Louis. Times have really changed, haven't they! It's hard for me to think about a can of sardines as being much of a treat...I would have went for the candy! Hehe!
Happy to see you for the Sunday Favorites repost party today, dear friend! I hope ya'll are having a fabulous weekend!
Love ya,
Chari
I love old family stories like that. You should record as many of them as you can Lori and do a book. Your family would love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat story Lori.
ReplyDeleteCan't say I'd have chosen sardines though!!!!
I remember my Mom saying that the entire family of 14 shared one orange every Christmas. And considered it a real treat, life is so much simpler now...
ReplyDeleteGreat story. And I didn't have to pack a lunch, LOL.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Love Uncle Louis' story. I think I would have done the same and hid out in the attic with my treat, but I would have bought a romance book, chips, pop, candy and so much more. I know my goodies are more than the five cents, so I would have asked someone else for another nickel! lol Diane
ReplyDeletePeople today would likely find it hard to connect with a story like that - a can of sardines as a treat. But growing up in the depression, and having large families, would really make this into a big deal for your uncle Louis. My dad (b. 1924) told of working every day after school as a youngster of 12, earning a quarter for the entire week and having to turn it over to his father ! There were 14 children in his family.
ReplyDeleteHow times have changed. Great story, Lori.
Cute story my friend....hugs to you for a great new week. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThis is a really amazing story, Lori! I love old stories like this.
ReplyDeleteLove this story! A man after my own heart---only I'd have bought chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI think your Uncle Lou would have been proud of how you told his story. Stories like this make you re-focused on what you have, from what you wish to have. Thank you.
ReplyDelete