Len: You were blessed with a mother, who raised some very fine children, through hard times. In doing so, she taught you that it is not wealth that makes a person happy, it is a family, who look out for each other, though thick and thin!
You are not alone, growing up learned to do without, what other children had. I was raised in somewhat the same conditions, of before ever spending any money that I worked for doing odd errands to think about "Needs, Wants, and sometime Doing Without!"
Because of living through difficulties in your life, it made you a better person. I know living through hard times, made me a better person. Thank you for sharing, your experences, growing up!
~Parnelli