Patience

Mom Stories by Jackie #2

Another story about Mom has to do with her patience. She did have lots of patience when I was very young, but I think we all took our toll on it. When I started kindergarten I did not want to go to school. I wanted to stay home with Tommy, Liz and Mom and play. To show my displeasure, I would sit in class and cry or just not do anything. I also didn't like it because two boys in my class would say to me every day "Ebel, you're dropping a bubble!" I don't know what it meant, but I didn't like being singled out and I thought it must be bad since everyone would laugh after they said it. The teacher would take me to the principal's office and they would call Mom. She would walk from Thornton Drive to Howard Elementary (about a mile) with Tommy walking at her side or riding his tricycle and Liz in the baby carriage. This went on for the entire month of September. I don't remember Mom ever being mad or yelling at me since I kept doing it! I did finally stop due to peer pressure. Our neighbor and my classmate, Tom Wellinghoff, started calling me a baby because I didn't go to school and stayed home with the "babies". I'm sure Mom was glad!

Jackie touches on another endearing characteristic of our Mom…..her patience! She had more patience than anyone I have ever met. I can only remember a couple of times growing up that my mom was visibly upset and frustrated. I have no idea how she kept her cool with so many children, but she did.