My wife grew up in a culture where they never had enough food, clothing or other essentials.
Although she’s been a US citizen for 40+ years, old habits are hard to break.
She hoards food, medicine, and items of necessity. We could probably survive for 2 years or more on her stash.
I’m not going to change her, because it makes her feel secure.
I’ve known older Americans who lived poor and went through the depression of the 1930s.
When times were good they raised and canned lots of food because they knew hard times may be just around the corner.
During WWII my Sister-in-law’s husbands family had their home grown food supply confiscated by government agents because someone said they were “hoarding”. They had to live on food stored in another cellar way out in the Texas hills till the new crops came in.
Even in more affluent times they could not stand to see food wasted. As late as 1963 my aunt would save grease from foods to make soap even though store bought soap was cheap.
It appears many of today’s adults have forgotten those hard times and lessons.
You’re a good man.
I have an 88 yo neighbor who grew up in Appalachia. What she describes about surviving in early twentieth century is remarkable. She said she thought everyone lived like that. Today, she does all her housework and cooking. She loves her washing machine which she has had one only ten yrs; she washes three loads most days! She is so thankful for what she has and considers her life a blessing from God.
“My wife grew up in a culture where they never had enough food, clothing or other essentials.
Although she’s been a US citizen for 40+ years, old habits are hard to break.
She hoards food, medicine, and items of necessity. We could probably survive for 2 years or more on her stash.
I’m not going to change her, because it makes her feel secure.”
Good on you for accepting your wife as she is. Just remember, in our Americanized minds, we are blessed because we can buy what we want whenever we want it. In her mind, she is still blessed to be in America, a country where it is even POSSIBLE to stock enough supplies that she can even feel secure!
It is the same thing really....
I hope you let her read that and feel the love in your words. You and she are lucky people!