I just cried while reading this reflection, and I’m not sure of all the reasons why – but I think its wrapped up in what I can and can’t identify with, and the every day, deep human pain that I want to be wounded by and work against – but also sometimes want to ignore. That reality is difficult for me to live through some days; and it probably should be.

BEING POOR
By John Scalzi
September 15, 2005

Being poor is knowing exactly how much everything costs.
Being poor is getting angry at your kids for asking for all the crap they see on TV.
Being poor is having to keep buying $800 cars because they’re what you can afford, and then having the cars break down on you, because there’s not an $800 car in America that’s worth a damn.
Being poor is hoping the toothache goes away.

Being poor is knowing your kid goes to friends’ houses but never has friends over to yours.
Being poor is going to the restroom before you get in the school lunch line so your friends will be ahead of you and won’t hear you say “I get free lunch” when you get to the cashier.
Being poor is living next to the freeway.
Being poor is wondering whether your well-off sibling is lying when he says he doesn’t mind when you ask for help.