As sad and tragic a scene presented here, what makes it more so is the incongruity of the (late 20s?) luxury of that car indicating the family struck hard times, really fast and the car a glimpse back to the prosperous life they came from.

[This was the kind of car Okie families bought for $100 to make the trip west. - Dave]

A timely reminder in these strange and uncertain times to appreciate what we have while we have it and always be ready to take on something not so comforting.

My late maternal grandmother had a classic Depression-era profile: a young widow with three children, she worked as a teacher in one-room schoolhouses in a succession of towns across the Canadian prairies in the 30s and 40s. She came out of it ferociously strong. She was extremely resourceful, stern when she had to be, kind when the situation warranted. I feared her a little, and respected her hugely. Throughout my life, I have used her as a standard against which I measure the behaviour and values of other people. Her daughter, my mom, was no slouch in the backbone department, either.

As usually the case in these Depression era photos, it's always touching to see how people maintain a good appearance despite living in such squalid conditions. This mother is wearing heels (and possibly stockings) to get her picture taken. Her children look loved and well-cared for.

Not many government programs to assist people back then. Many were left to their own devices to support themselves and their families. Stoic hardworking people.

The Great Depression. Those poor pitiful people trying to get by. This family appears better off than most, with a newer car, clean and nicely dressed.

My mom grew up in west Texas during this time and they were desperately poor also. She said that her uncle would drop off government "commodities" once a month and that's how they survived. Usually it was a big bag of pinto beans. She was embarrassed for the rest of her life because as the oldest child it was her job to write a letter to the newspaper for her siblings telling what they would like to get for Christmas and maybe ----- some church or generous soul would deliver the presents to the newspaper for distribution.

I find it so sad that 86 years later, there are people in our communities that are still homeless and struggling as this brave lady and her young family were in 1936. I hope that her life, and those of her children, became easier.

The girl is a miniature of her mother, not only in facial features but even down to her body language and the way she attempts to comfort the toddler.