By: Silver S
Missouri, Grade: 7

Life is hard for my family and I. We no longer have any money to support ourselves. We barely have food on our table and clothes on our backs. It is hard for me when Ma and Pa argue. Sometimes, I want to cry, but I know I have to be strong for my little sister Kristy. She is not yet old enough to understand why we can't have things, or why we don't have very much. She will turn five next week, and it hurts to know she won't have any presents. There's nothing I can do to help. I have tried to get work, but everyone tells me I am too young. Pa works in the field sometimes, but doesn't get very much for his hard labor. Ma stays home with us girls, and cooks the vegetables we eat. It's always carrots and potatoes. Sometimes, though, Granma comes to our house and brings some meat. It is not much, but at the least, we have something different. I hope times will change here in the very near future.