We were raised dirt poor but we never went to school dirty and our trailer was spotless even though it was old and falling down. Crime was rampant in our extended family but grandma was determined to do the right thing after my mother abandoned myself 1 yo and my older brother 3yo. So that she could live with and marry an older man who didn't want her kids. Until I was 14ish years old she woke me up and picked out my school clothes (everything else continued I just insisted on my own clothes choices). A hot breakfast was ready and waiting after we showered. We didn't stand outside in cold weather (grandma warmed the car up a we could sit safely until it arrived. Upon our return she would be waiting in that warm car to take us back up the country road to our trailer where a late lunch was hot and waiting - after lunch it was a grilling session on our homework etc. Us brothers made perfect attendance almost every year and she won awards year after year for her never missing a school event or PTA meeting. My point to the story is this. This woman, who I still speak to every single day, dedicated every ounce of her life to raising her grandchildren on the brink of poverty but she did it with grace. She sometimes makes comments like "I just tell people all of the time how lucky I am that you boys turned out so good and how I don't have to worry about you gong to jail or being out causing trouble."

In the entire history of her immediate family everyone around her did the wrong things. They were either in jail, lying, cheating, or abusing each other in one way or another. And the only thing she takes from the gift of sacrificing 18 years of her life to where she lived, eat and breathed taking care us is that we aren't In jail. She, single handedly broke the cycle and she doesn't even realize it. The men we became, the families we have grown, and the successes we all have are because of her.

No I'm not in jail, I'm a living breathing thriving member of society who contributes and tries to help those who need it. She has no clue what she ended up with when she took over a job she didn't deserve. She didn't just keep us out of jail, she put something much better out there.

I am 34 my brother 36 we speak to her every day provide her with whatever it is that she needs (I don't need the government to care for her needs anymore - I do it out of love and respect not obligation. I have tried explaining to her what her sacrifices have meant for so many people down the line in the coming generations but she doesn't seem get it. She just says "the day you and your brother were born were very special days for Mamaw. Those times we went to ball games and cook outs,'well those were just the best times of my life and I wouldn't change a thing."

So I get why mom is proud, however trashy it may look..