Beginning somewhere around 1982, as our family began growing, we needed to do something to survive. I was the breadwinner while Viv was a stay-at-home mom. We had two little ones and another would soon follow. I remember my low-paying job and how little we got paid.
I recall the joy on coworkers’ faces when we got our “raise.” I asked Terry and Hector, “Two dollars?” “Yep!” they replied. “Is that 2 bucks per paycheck?” I asked. “Ha-ha, ha-ha” they laughed. “That’s $2 per year!” they said. I couldn’t believe it! “For this they were so excited?” I asked myself.
It was true, they were practically doing a jig; arm around each other and dancing in a circle! Life was good! They danced some more-Hee-Haw style. Me? I couldn’t believe we were actually working for peanuts; I mean pennies-a-day.
At home, we discovered a meat warehouse where I’d buy 40 lb. boxes of chicken legs for $.29/lb. or $11.60 per box. Sometimes I’d get wings at $.9lb. or $3.60 per 40 lb. box! We also discovered Murray’s on Broadway Ave. (Brooklyn) who sold meatloaf for $4 carton and 100 small patties, good for our tiny tots. A sure winner for us was Big R Supermarket where we’d buy 60 boxes of entrees of varying types to go along with our mashed potatoes, fries, rice, etc.
Hey, being on a tight budget called for extreme measures! One day at my job, I told them we had actually gone out to eat over the weekend! When they asked where we went, and I said “Church’s Chicken,” they laughed! Not understanding what was so funny, I was told, “For a guy who eats chicken all the time, you’d think he’d go to eat something different!” It was fine by me! Would you believe I was earning some $5800 yearly?! I soon left that job during a difficult time for us: my parents were moving to Puerto Rico at the end of October, 1984. We were left with no job and three kids aged 4, 2, and almost 1.
When March, 1985 rolled around, it was great when, after volunteering at a school, I finally got hired as a paraprofessional earning some $11,200 yearly! We were rich! We were finally able to throw some $.59 lb. steaks on the table! We were h-o-w-l-i-n-g and dancing our own jig! No doubt, God was good!
In February, ’88 I officially began teaching. With a promised yearly salary of just over $21k, we were able to purchase our cabin in the woods! Through lots of tears, chicken legs, disappointments, chicken wings, bad news, steaks, and good news, we were no longer flying low. We were scaling new heights! When I finished my BS degree in ’87, my wife began hers right after. At that point, it was my turn to care for the kids after work for the next three years. Armed with degrees, the skies were the limit.
How’s it going with you? Flying high? Flying low? Running around like a chicken without its head? Drifting under tough circumstances? God knows your every doubt as well as your joys. He knows your every fear and disappointment. He knows mine! He knows exactly where we stand right now. “Shed those wings” and invite Him into your heart! He’ll strengthen your “legs” too! Cast your cares upon Jesus and you’ll soon be flying high-in His will!
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29,30).
Recommended Song: Cast Down Your Cares John Michael Talbot
God Bless!
Sam