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There is one question that victims of the Great Depression knew not to ask: what did I do to deserve this? The answer was the same for nearly everyone; it was your turn. Homer and Ella Dickinson suffered the worst of times-lost jobs and lost homes as life and tragedies caved in on them. They were forced to relocate six times while Homer looked for permanent employment. When all that was going on, they had kids to care for, and sadly, two children to bury and mourn.

As the Depression loosened its grip, Homer found steady work for the railroad in Pendleton, Oregon. The family started again with their two remaining sons, George and Gibb. Then came terrible luck-World War II.

 

The oldest son, George, went to war in the summer of 1943 and trained as a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne. On the night of June 5, or very early morning on June 6, he parachuted into Nazi-occupied France during the D-Day invasion. George would be part of a very large task force of courageous young American men who fought their way into Germany. George survived and returned to Pendleton and soon married his high school sweetheart, an intelligent young woman from the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Of course, there were comments, complaints, and whispered insults about the mixed-race marriage of George Dickinson and Sulema Lopez. Both families were very supportive of the marriage and headed off many rude and unwanted objections that were aimed at George and Sulema. That support eased much of the tension that may have arisen, and the couple led very fulfilling adult lives that were blessed by twins. The person most responsible for the family's strength and cohesion during the hardest times was Ella, who had enough love and compassion for anyone who entered her circle. Her motto, "God loves you, so do I," was introduced to her by her father, a Baptist pastor. She lived it and took care of her "little corner of the world" right up to the time of her death.

Hard Times: Good People is about those who step up and take on life's most demanding challenges and setbacks. To get through those times took nothing short of everyday heroes.

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Comments (5)

Catherine Kale
Jul 07

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful story you've written. 💙 Just reading about it touched my heart. 🥰 You have such a wonderful way of bringing history and family to life that it feels so real. Stories like this deserve to be remembered and shared with future generations. I would absolutely love to see Hard Times, Good People turned into a movie, or even a trailer, because I can already picture these powerful moments on the screen. Wishing you every success with this wonderful book. You should be so proud of what you've created! 👏

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Liam Thompson
Jun 24

Congratulations to the author on such a fantastic achievement. This book is a true testament to your creativity, dedication, and passion for storytelling. Every chapter reflects the hard work and commitment that went into bringing this story to life. It's the kind of book that resonates with readers, leaves a lasting impression, and deserves to be shared with audiences everywhere. I have no doubt that many readers will find it both enjoyable and inspiring. Wishing you continued success and hoping this book reaches the wide recognition it truly deserves!

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Trexie14
Jun 24

As someone who values family, I really connected with Hard Times: Good People. The story of George and Sulema especially touched me, and their courage and commitment were truly inspiring. This book reminded me of the importance of love, resilience, and family. This is the kind of story that more people should know about because it has such a powerful and inspiring message. I can easily see it reaching a much bigger audience. Great book!! #lovethis 👍❤️


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Armando
Jun 01


Finally! A book that reminds us what true resilience, sacrifice, and family strength look like. This book is a powerful tribute to the everyday heroes who endured hardship with courage, faith, and love. A story worth reading and remembering. 📚👏❤️
Finally! A book that reminds us what true resilience, sacrifice, and family strength look like. This book is a powerful tribute to the everyday heroes who endured hardship with courage, faith, and love. A story worth reading and remembering. 📚👏❤️

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Sid Spurgeon
Jun 16
Replying to

Thanks for the kind words. I'm pretty much of a rookie author so these words of encouragement are kind, and important

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