The iron was hot as she leaned into the shirts laid out on the ironing board. Each shirt earned her 10 cents. She would dip her fingers in the little cup of water and sprinkle the shirts with a bit of water to help get out the wrinkles. She worked hard in these years when Daddy was gone to earn a little money for her family.
The ironing board was a prize Mom won at the local fair. She had my older sister, Joan, write her name on the piece of paper because she couldn't write that good. What a prize it was! It enabled her to work and save money for a rainy day. Mom has always been good at saving.
The clothes came in from various sources. Some from Joan's teacher and and the rest I assume by word of mouth. Mom worked hard. In the end she had saved up $400, all stashed away in the little container on top of the refrigerator. Little did she know that the money she saved would be just what was needed to move herself, Joan, Marie, James and myself to California when Daddy came home.
Mom has lived a hard, but good life. My feelings are both sad and yet proud at the same time. This tiny little Korean woman is strong and she's taught me to be strong as well. She is a good example of not only surviving, but of pressing through hard times and living well.
Amazing story!!
So sweet! I come from the same kind of women. I love this story!