The Great Depression dramatically shaped my parents' worldviews. Though he was a boy then, I don't know how different of a man he would have been had he not lived through it. We were brought up not to waste. We were taught that we weren't entitled to anything, and to appreciate everything. My father was one of seven children. Farmers and hard workers all, even from an early age, they lived in poverty during the Depression. He impressed upon me the reality he lived with, that it could happen again.

With that belief in mind, he worked exceptionally hard and took pride in everything he earned. He was very successful, but always frugal. The only extravagant item he ever had was a Mercedes, and I'm not even sure he bought that new, but I know he took great care of it. My mother told me many times growing up that I should be thankful that my father was such a good provider. I took that for granted, but as an adult I understand what that means now. He taught me my work ethic, forged in his experiences in Depression-era poverty.

Most of my grandmother and grandfather's dates involved sharing a sandwich and beer at the brewery (where the food was cheap and the beer even cheaper) and taking long walks. My grandfather was especially affected by depression-era thinking since he had grown up exceptionally poor raised by a single mother of 9. He bought everything on sale and lots of it so that he could have a store of necessities. He was proud because everyone in his house had enough to eat and toys on Christmas.