Agree. Have had plenty of ups and downs ... started with nothing (as a kid, days without eating... two tops)..... all my fondest memories are from the poor times.. making due, pretending we weren't poor.. fishing, a lot.
I recall those days, now, when my kids look bored or too much in front of the video games/computer.... they never gripe once we're out doing cool stuff, as a family..
PKM, didn't you say you were a 3rd generation UK booster? How does that reconcile with your story about being poor, etc, etc, etc?