Where did you grow up and how has it affected you in life?

Old Salt said:
I grew up in a small town (3000 inhabitants) in the central Black Forest of Germany! The scenery is breathtaking and incredibly romantic. The ruin of a castle dominates the town!
I won't pretend I grew up in paradise because my story would be filled with hunger (1940 - 1947) and fear verging on terror on most days (1944-1945)! There were happy days for us youngsters as well but they were few and far between, especially toward the end of the war!

Later addition! I forgot that the subject also was "how did it effect you!"

1) I hate all the confrontational challenges (saber rattling) to other countries to prove who's the mightiest!

2) There have been a few justified wars, like WWII, but I still think the Iraq war was a crime and the instigators should have been prosecuted as such!

3) I dislike folks who thrive on conflict and nasty confrontation!

4) I like gentle and peaceful folk!

5) Why can't we all get along? (Wishful thinking)
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Old Salt....thanks, yes I was lucky, my childhood was wonderful. I was born in 1950, so part of the happiness I had was due to WWII being over and the USA was celebrating not being at war. Of course, the Korean war messed up the early part of that time, but it was over before I was old enough to remember. My Dad fought in Europe with 3rd Army under General Patton. He was injured in Germany on 4/16/45. Shipped home and discharged after he got healed up. He too was lucky!

I know a lot of people who are a few years older than I am and many of them suffered during the war years as did you. My best friend is 6 years older than you and he came from Estonia. They were refugees who fled Estonia when the Russian came in. They spent years in a relocation camp for people without a country, but they were sponsored by a family in the USA. His story is very much like yours...God Bless you all!
 

Timewise 60+ said:
Old Salt....thanks, yes I was lucky, my childhood was wonderful. I was born in 1950, so part of the happiness I had was due to WWII being over and the USA was celebrating not being at war. Of course, the Korean war messed up the early part of that time, but it was over before I was old enough to remember. My Dad fought in Europe with 3rd Army under General Patton. He was injured in Germany on 4/16/45. Shipped home and discharged after he got healed up. He too was lucky!

I know a lot of people who are a few years older than I am and many of them suffered during the war years as did you. My best friend is 6 years older than you and he came from Estonia. They were refugees who fled Estonia when the Russian came in. They spent years in a relocation camp for people without a country, but they were sponsored by a family in the USA. His story is very much like yours...God Bless you all!
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I, too, actually consider myself to be part of the "lucky" generation. Despite early childhood traumas. I have mostly lived a life free of the horrors of war. I was a sailor but the closest we came to danger was when Castro came onto the scene. We fought him by being tied up in Bermuda for three months ... just in case!

Your last paragraph reminds me of my landlady when I first came to Canada. Her family fled from Riga, Latvia from the advancing Russians by pulling a cart with some of their belongings, sick husband tied to the top, all the way to Hamburg! They were contemptuously called DPs in those days by folks who didn't know any better. The husband died in Hamburg and she and her two sons ended up in London, Ontario.
 
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Leaving Brooklyn - Fuhgeddaboudit Sign on Belt Parkway, Ea… | Flickr
I'm a native New York City-er, having lived the majority of my life within 4 of the 5 boroughs. One of our favorite past times is called the 'rank out'. It requires sharpness, quickness & one-upmanship. It's just the way we roll. New York City-ers are blunt. Forthright. Up front. Some say rude. When they focus on that they forget the ability of our residents to come together for each other. Since I've been old I've met with nothing but kindness. People of all ages fall over themselves wanting to help me. I love that about my city.

I'm more than willing to work on the rudeness aspect. I'm more than willing to announce in advance if I'm being blunt while being Honest. I'm more than willing to embrace someone's delicate feelings, believe me, I have them too.

If I have to give up my personality based on where I grew up and how it has affected me, I can't be here. I can't be Casper Milktoast. I don't want to be afraid to express myself after 73 years of living.
 
Pepper said:
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I'm a native New York City-er, having lived the majority of my life within 4 of the 5 boroughs. One of our favorite past times is called the 'rank out'. It requires sharpness, quickness & one-upmanship. It's just the way we roll. New York City-ers are blunt. Forthright. Up front. Some say rude. When they focus on that they forget the ability of our residents to come together for each other. Since I've been old I've met with nothing but kindness. People of all ages fall over themselves wanting to help me. I love that about my city.

I'm more than willing to work on the rudeness aspect. I'm more than willing to announce in advance if I'm being blunt while being Honest. I'm more than willing to embrace someone's delicate feelings, believe me, I have them too.

If I have to give up my personality based on where I grew up and how it has affected me, I can't be here. I can't be Casper Milktoast. I don't want to be afraid to express myself after 73 years of living.
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Love the sign. Hey you're three years ahead of me in this race. Wonder who's going to win. ;)
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I was thinking of my old home in Massachusetts, when I ran across a thread by Gael, on March 16, 2014 It seemed as relevant today as it did 9 years ago.

Where did you grow up and how has it affected you in life?​

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I grew up in 30 states almost 3 a year being a military brat and the father was a trucking company inspector at times. I hated it because just as I made good friends we moved. That’s why I am still planted in Montana, the longest time I’ve ever lived anywhere and I love the state!
 

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