preparation

My housemate once told me that people who had a tough childhood were better prepared for life as adults than people who had a "normal" childhood.  He said if you grew up tough, you'd seen enough disasters by the time you grew up to know how to deal when things fall apart.  When the shit hits the fan "normal" people are standing in front of it freaking out and wondering what to do, while people who had hard childhoods expect this to happen and just calmly take a step to the side, outta the way, wait for it to blow by, and move on while other people are laying on the floor shocked and covered in poo.  *shrug*  I guess he might have a point.  But I don't think I wanna trade my happy, easy childhood for a hard one anyway.