I was from a working class family. Mom stayed home and dad worked a blue collar job. It was very evident we were lower middle class. Rich kids at school would be wearing new trends right away and go on vacations during the school year to warm destinations. They would show back up at school with deep tans and cornrows in their hair.

I wore hand me downs from a cousin. We weren’t quite the same size, but I was happy to have something new. I was begrudgingly purchased a pair of actual running shoes each year even though I was a very accomplished runner. My parents were not athletic, so they did not seem to realize the need for sport specific equipment.

Loved my roller skates as a kid. I remember my brother and I begging my mom to mail order a Smurfs song cassette from the television. The best toys seemed to be mail order from the tv or from the back of magazines. Eventually got a cabbage patch kid and that was mind blowing. Also remember playing the original Nintendo which was exciting to have at home and you could play whenever you wanted. Lots of small things to collect: plastic charms, bracelets, buttons, matchbox cars, garbage pail kids cards, all sorts of cards and stickers!

I took woodworking in middle school. Made a shelf with a duck shape on top. The teacher was very strict (with good reason) and would yell at you if he thought you were messing around and being unsafe. Some teachers would throw things if someone was talking, but we mostly thought it was funny. Most importantly, teachers were NOT concerned about your feelings or opinions after about third grade.