I hadn't really given joining in with today Poverty theme a second thought to be honest. I don't know why either. I have been around everyones blogs today and have been totally humbled by some of the posts. The fact that some folk have really been through the roughest of times and that they wanted to share it with the world is wonderful.

I had a very happy childhood. Never wanted for anything and being an only child I suppose I was spoilt (OK yes I was!!). Growing up was happy but life was difficult as my father was disabled. He had Multiple Sclerosis. Of course he eventually become so ill that he was unable to work. Times were hard. Not only was money tight but so was that happy homely feel. Mum was always tired, worn out and dad, well he was just so unhappy. He was a fit man, always able to get about and now there he was, wheelchair bound and reliant on others. I felt deprived of a father really. He wasn't able to do all those fatherly things in the later years. Mum didn't cope too well. She took to gambling. She somehow got involved in fruit machines. This would be her outlet, her escape from it all I suppose. I never did understand why fruit machines and how she just spent so much money every day. I think the owner of that place she visited loved her...she kept him going and in fast cars! Anyway, as I told her, it was her money and she was entitled to do what she wanted with it but I wasn't happy about her wasting her pension and savings.

Many years later after money not ever being a problem one particular day 10 years ago changed all that overnight. My husband was unable to work and of course, the bills ran up. The story is a lot more detailed than what I have mentioned but life was far from easy. Today we are still suffering from the fall out from this day. Other peoples lies have made our life a misery. 2 people lying in court wrecked our lives. Changed our lives beyond recognition due to their greed. We only wanted what should have been ours. We now know that perhaps we were too honest and only told the truth. I was bought up to believe that honestly pays. I don't really believe that now as I am sure you may understand.

Today sees us struggling on a day to day basis. Life is tough enough as it is. I see people whizzing about in their fast cars and expensive clothes and thing "yeah, I used to be able to do that" and I am glad to say that now I just know that money isn't everything. Happiness is everything and no amount of money can buy you that. I consider myself to be rich in the happiness stakes and poor, but not povety stricken. I could be a lot worse off...a lot more worse off! I could be living in a cardboard box, begging or worse. I'm not and I thank my lucky stars for that.

Hugs to you all xx