All the holydays were special
Lent began weeks before Easter. All the childdren were encouraged to preform an act of self denial, usually refraining from eating candy. This made the Easter candy all the more delicious. On Holy Saturday morning, the family took a basket of food to be blessed. The whole church was filled with the aroma of sausage, baked ham, boiled eggs, and fresh coffee cake. My mom baked the best coffee cake, it was a all day affair. No one spoke from 12 noon until 3 p.m. in respect for the crucified Christ. The grown-ups went to the entire service. We children only stayed a short time. A life sized crucifix , was laid at the foot of the alter. Each of us were allowed to kiss the feet of Christ. This was emotional and a little scarry. All the statues and crosses were draped with purple cloth. It stayed this way until sun rise service on Easter Sunday. I should state, the crucifix and statues are not prayed to, but are there to remind us of Jesus and the saints. On Easter Sunday the church was no longer subdued. The alter was filled to over flowing with white lillies. The fragrance was almost over whelming, the purple cloth was removed, and there on the side alter was a bare cross depicting the risen Chrst.		Of course Easter meant new clothes. We were outfitted from the skin out with new spring underwear, shoes, dresses, and of course new spring coats and hats. One Easter it snowed! We begged, and cajoled until mom gave in, and we were allowed to wear those light weight clothes. I remember my coat was navy blue with a white collar, and a beautiful white straw hat. It had a band of blue ribbon, a bow, and streamers hung down my back. It was so cold, I had to jump up and down to stay warm, but it was worth it. Joan my youngest sister, was born August 19. 1934, ten days after our mom's birthday. I don't remember who was there to take care of the other children. Mom told us a grand secret! In a few days we would have a new brother or sister, she would be our new play-mate. We certainly looked forward to the day. I would teach it to play chop-sticks on the piano, after all, I was seven! We could play games.. But, on that morning, there in moms arms was this TINY pink baby. She looked like a small doll. This was no playmate! Mom always suprised me with her gentle wisdom. She saw my disappointment, without a
All the holydays were special All the holydays were special
word, mom put that wee babe in my arms. She was so soft and warm, my sister! Those tiny fingers held more than my finger. They grabbed on to my heart! To get us out of the house, so mom could rest, Claire would walk us to a nearby pool. We packed a lunch of graham crackers,bananas, and milk. Some times our cousins went with us. The pools later were all closed, because of the fear of polio (infantile paralysis). Family was always stopping by. It seems that year went past very quickly. Joan grew bigger, soon she could walk. It was fun having a baby in the house.		On hot afternoons mom would let us play with the hose. We would wash the porch and steps, drive way and any thing else that was around, including our baby sister! Our house and our neighbors, the Domskis, were separated by our ONE DRIVE WAY! We had to stay on our side of the drive, or we would have heard about it from mom. While playing, I some how stepped on a huge safety pin. It went straight into my foot. I screamed and hopped around. Loretta pulled it out. That was the bravest thing I ever saw!