As a child I accepted the world as “given.” It is the way it was because that’s the way it was. That’s how I related to the world in which I found myself. I was on the “home front.” I confronted a central fact of everyday life during the war: scarcity.
There was not enough to go round. If everyone was to get their fair share, then everything had to be rationed. Food. Clothing. Gasoline. Tires. Everything.
If it could possibly be useful in the war effort, then it was rationed.
The Office of Price Administration issued Ration Books to each individual in each family.
Even we children. The OPA’s Ministry of Food issued one to each of us. Although I never touched mine, I knew mine was in Mom’s purse
They rationed almost everything. A “spare” was a wild card that could be used for more than one thing.
Gasoline was especially important.
Every time we stopped at a station I was made aware gas was rationed.
War ration books contained pages and pages of what looked like postage stamps printed on flimsy paper.
When we used them, we knew we were all in this together.
We all know where we stood.
donaldhaynes.com 
So interesting to understand the focus of this time and the degree with which Americans felt they were in it together. Since that time I image there are few examples of the same connection and partnership. While there are many great advances in future years, I know many of us long for a time like this. I know it wasn’t fun or easy, but the common connection is so appealing. The sacrifices made are why this time is referred to as the greatest generation. Thank you for sharing!