I was surprised by my mother’s reaction yesterday to the announcement that there will be no cost-of-living increase next year in Social Security payments. 

She had not yet heard the news when we talked in the afternoon and her first response was simply, “Wow!” Then she told me she had been expecting something to happen with the payments, considering all the economic problems. “I can hold on,” my mother said. “I’ll just have to make do. I’m just happy it isn’t going down.”

I was expecting her to react with more worry and perhaps a bit of anger at the hardship she and other seniors will continue to deal with as they cope with increasing health care and prescription drug costs. As for the White House’s proposed $250 one-time payment to ease the sting: she’ll be appreciative if she gets it but isn’t counting on it. 

I should have known better. My nearly 80-year-old mother grew up living everyday in hard times. She knows how to make something from nothing, as the old phrase goes. 

As our conversation was ending, my Mom started talking about the future. I’ll make ends meet, she said, but I’m worried there won’t be any Social Security for my grandchildren. What will they do when they’re old and need a helping hand? 

How are your parents coping during these tough economic times?

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