It was only ninety-eight cents.
But it could have been a million dollars.
This measly bag of groceries costs $20.98?
As always I had more month than food stamps.
I was reduced to the wrinkled twenty dollar bill I had saved in my wallet against the most dire emergency.
Hard to believe that buying groceries was the dire emergency.
Hard to believe that the food bank had nothing to give us this morning.
"Take the loaf of bread off," I said quietly to the teller.
"Hooray!" I told my child, "It's going to be a cereal week again!"
But it could have been a million dollars.
This measly bag of groceries costs $20.98?
As always I had more month than food stamps.
I was reduced to the wrinkled twenty dollar bill I had saved in my wallet against the most dire emergency.
Hard to believe that buying groceries was the dire emergency.
Hard to believe that the food bank had nothing to give us this morning.
"Take the loaf of bread off," I said quietly to the teller.
"Hooray!" I told my child, "It's going to be a cereal week again!"
This little 98 word post is linked to Saturday Centus. The prompt is in bold. To read other offerings, just click here.
Hi Jenny! You tell a wonderful story! Good to see you here. Have a terrific week! Anne
ReplyDeleteOuch! all to real in this day's economy ... food banks aren't getting the donations like they used too and yet, more and more family's need them. That was a tough little story Jenny! I felt sorry for them both, really well written!
ReplyDeleteNice one! It didn't really need more words...
ReplyDelete$.98 might not have been enough, but you managed to fill our bellies just fine with 98 words! You're the queen, Mrs. Jenny, the queen!
ReplyDeleteI had a few times like that in my younger years.
ReplyDeleteI remember the days of scrimping and saving. I used to pay for everything with cash, and I couldn't even afford to buy my kids treats at 7-11...not even a cheap sucker.
ReplyDeleteTimes are easier for us now, but I know they are hard for many people out there. Good story, Jenny.
=)
Jenny! I know I'm such a slacker. I haven't been by in along while but I'm always inspired when I stop by to read your post. Remember you can't enjoy the rainbow if there is no rain...
ReplyDeleteYou did 98 words proud, Matlock!
ReplyDeleteYou can tell a story with a gut punch like no one else.
Yeah, hard times, for sure. This is so well told, the thought process of the mom - and that last tidbit of cheer she gave her child, making a game of it. We do everything to protect our children.
ReplyDeleteGirl, 98 words are perfect to tell this story.
ReplyDeleteI fear you told the story of many of folk out there just tryin' their best to keep a roof overhead and some grub on the table. So sad!
Great job my sweet friend.
God bless and have a grand week!!!
I had one of those wrinkled emergency hidden twenties...
ReplyDeletexxoo,
RMW
Beautifully written! And, how timely for so many! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSuch a true and sad tale! Of course, you write it with humor and love!
ReplyDeleteThe queen of ninety-eight words!!! This was great and it made me think....it must be going around.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about a woman I worked with many many years ago. Before my career. She had one son to raised all by herself and she told me she needed the tips so she could buy a chicken and a bag of rice. She said it would last them a whole week.
As I was staring out the car window going down the road to somewhere I remembered this conversation out of the blue. Maybe it was God's way of reminding me how well off I am, since I have never heard him actually speak to me. Something for you to ponder. ((Hugs))~Ames
Oh, goody! We LOVE cereal, don't we, kids???
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny ~~ A sad little S. Centsus story about a happy mother and daughter.
ReplyDeleteI am glad the daughter points to the bright side. :)
..
I remember weeks like that when I was little, and the steel mills were all shutting down. Every kid was snacking on government cheese after school!
ReplyDelete