February 15, 2021 – Favorite Memories of my Children

February 1, 1952 began sixty-six years of marriage, and the beginning of our family. First, Dan and his twin brother, Don, arrived. We were saddened that Don was born dead. I know Dan missed his brother through the years. Then there came a miscarriage when Dan was six months old. Fifteen months later our Paul was born. Exactly a year later Tim was born. Then fourteen months later our Anna was born.

Each child was different, and I learned how differently they each hugged. Danny was impatient and was satisfied with a hug, Paul hid his face in my neck, while Tim patted me on the back, in response to me patting him. Anna accepted the hugs.

Dan began school at Sunnyside School in Dodge City KS. The next year, Dan and Paul left for school together. Paul was shy and I was concerned about how he would get along. Having a conference with his teacher surprised me. She was concerned because Paul hit one of his classmates. I responded, ‘Good!’ I had to explain to her why.

Another teacher told me my children were very well behaved. Another surprise, I asked, “Are you sure you are talking about my children?”

When they were all in school, I began substituting, and also teaching. My children taught me so many things about how to teach.

One asked why he had to go to school with people who did not want to learn, it was difficult for him to wait until everyone else, ‘got it.’

The second son’s grades were not as high as they could have been. I asked why. He wanted to know why he should convince the teacher he knew the information, when he already knew it.

The third son found short-cuts when there weren’t any when writing about a president. I found him copying every other sentence from our encyclopedia. He enjoyed reading the encyclopedia for fun.

Our daughter was gifted with persistence. She wanted to learn to play the piano and we moved the piano to her bedroom, and she proceeded to learn to play from, ‘what is that note” to a rollicking beat.

Another teacher told me my children were very well behaved. Another surprise, I asked, “Are you sure you are talking about my children?”

When they were all in school, I began substituting, and also teaching. My children taught me so many things about how to teach.

One asked why he had to go to school with people who did not want to learn, it was difficult for him to wait until everyone else, ‘got it.’

The second son’s grades were not as high as they could have been. I asked why. He wanted to know why he should convince the teacher he knew the information, when he already knew it.

The third son found short-cuts when there weren’t any when writing about a president. I found him copying every other sentence from our encyclopedia. He enjoyed reading the encyclopedia for fun.

During our time in Kansas I learned:

- That the oldest thought using psychology was a matter of ‘what to hit him with’. This was in reference to learning to share one tricyle with his little brother. “Play with something else and act like it is fun, and then your brother will want to play with it, leaving the tricycle.”
- That our third son, still in the crib, banging his head on the end of the crib while getting ready to take a nap, had perfect pitch. The piano tuner played a pitch on the piano, and each time he did, our third son hummed the same pitch.
- When I played the piano I learned that the rapt attention of my children didn’t come from enjoying the music, but the side of the piano was a wonderful place to cut teeth. Teeth marks still attest to their ‘interest’ in music.
Their teen years were filled with many of their experiences that spilled over into learning lessons for their mother.
- A sucession of boy friends for my daughter.
- Driving lessons…..that were sometimes frightening family outings as dictated by their father.
- As the third son drove to the ‘Y’ on Vandalia in Collinsville, I uttered my favorite words, “Be Careful.” The third son stopped the car, looked at me patiently and asked, “Mom, how long have I been driving?” Six months was my reply. “Then do you think you could not tell me to be careful every time I drive?”
- Our oldest son went through the phase of the long hair during the hippy age and all that went with it. Again I learned many lessons that teenagers tend to teach their parents.
- Watching our 3rd son and daughter leave in the old green rambler for highschool as the snow continued to cascade on the 6 inches already on the ground. I saw my daughter lean out of the window at the 45 degree turn and yell, “Turn.” I hoped the windshield wipers would soon be fixed.
- Our evening meals turned into a time of creative word jousting and constant laughter.
- Whose-turn-is-it-to-wash-the-dishes was a nightly discussion. For bright children, their chore-memory often failed.

For all these memories and many more, I thank you, each and every one. For the laughter, the lessons and constant joy, I thank you. For your faith in God and teaching your children, I thank you.