The Zembal Family History

March 3, 1952, Tuesday morning

Hi Everyone,

This noise maker holds enough interest so I expect to dash a few lines with the assistance and distractions, proper to little children such as Patty, age four, and Mary. Oh we are the busy folks.

I could tell so much but have so little time now for chatter. Actions rule the day. Seven personalities decidedly set in their ways trying to get adjusted and these few days at the start are hard, long and full of problems.

However, I will briefly give you a few facts you are interested to hear.

The children are adorable, not pretty. Mary is twenty seven months old, very tiny, but not thin. She weight just a little over nineteen lbs., the tiniest little body. Has brown eyes and auburn hair. She has the tiniest voice that only speaks when you say something to her and then it’s to repeat whatever you say. But once started she will go on and on, happily chanting what I most quote, “love the baby, love the baby.”

I am trying to (toilet) train her. Mary is very gentle, terribly affectionate, and the sweetest smile at all times. Cries very little now but that first night and next day was the most homesick child. Couldn’t bear to be out of some ones arms and then came night and she was so tired and weepy and that went way on into the night.

Right now we are waiting for the report on her which we didn’t tarry to get Friday. Orally they gave us a few details. Mary is a minor heart case. Til, it’s something about a valve from the heart to the lungs that is not functioning correctly or too small or some such. She may outgrow this if not it can be corrected by surgery.

However, this accounts for her being so quiet and slow of action.

Then there is Patty. They said she had been completely neglected. On her own she became very independent and self reliant and obstinate and set in her ways and loud and noisy and disobedient and bossy. **Isn’t that awful to describe our darling daughter with such uncomplimentary facts. Well, it’s to inform anyone who comes to visit that she has had a tough time and as a result it will take a while for her to correct these habits. The one I am working on now is the eating habit. All she knows is bubble gum and suckers, and “I don’t like that.” “I won’t eat that.” “Mary won’t eat that. Don’t give that to Mary, etc., etc.”

But she too is very affectionate and most pliable by praise and attention and PATIENCE. This is where all my time goes. Patty was never taught to nap. Her day begins at seven and winds up at six. She has green eyes and I mean green, blonde hair, a pretty smile, long thin hair and too much cut in front for bangs. She is perpetual motion.

And every word is dammit, or doggone or you are dumb or dummy.

I am so glad the older ones are gone all day so I can devote all my time to the important problems on hand and Patty shows she is making an effort. In a short while the worst will be over. Right now it’s a full time task.

Poor Grant. When we wearily get to bed, he asks, “Franny do you think we will ever get time to listen to the radio or read or just relax? A guy is too tired to do anything when we wind up our day with them.”

Little Kaky is terribly jealous of Patty (EDITOR'S NOTE: I was NEVER jealous of Patty ... the day she and Mary arrived Patty flung off her pajamas and tossed them in the toilet and was screaching like a banchee. My developing brain said, "Oh-oh ... red-light person" so I tried my youngest best to stay out of her way. That wasn't jealousy ... that was survival). and so Daddy has taken over Bill and daughter Kak to show special attention to them. They made kites yesterday and few them until it was late. They are such pals so that angle is straightening out well now. Grant is so wonderful. He is a saint with the children. They all pile on him and hug him when he holds Mary. And he helps dress them. Fortunately they feed themselves.

Little Mary and Patty are sisters. Their mother was Pennsylvania Dutch, the father German. He was 5 ft. 4 and weighed 129. The mother was 4 ft. 11 and weighed 113, so tis no wonder the children are small. Patty doesn’t appear too much that way, just Mary … especially when you look at her little fingers and hands. Like a doll.

Mother was at EZ’s until Saturday night. When she got back the children were all in bed for I had thought I might go to church next day if I awake not too weary. So she didn’t see the children until Sunday morning. Oh she likes them.

Fr. Auer hustled over Friday late afternoon with his camera. We had just gotten them fed and bathed.

Sunday after mass he was out front to give us the photos. They are such a large size I can’t very well mail them and one a bill fold size Daddy took to show of his little ones. So you will have to wait until I can snap a few with my camera.Only problem is that it’s rainy weather and the clothes we bought them are Sunday dress up and play clothes for indoors. When I take them out now to swing or play they wear those awful brown things they came in. So wait until I can get a pretty picture.

Sunday Mother stayed in town to visit at Carl’s. She went there for breakfast, then to Joe’s and to her old friend’s home. Joey and family brought her back in early evening in time to see the children before they went to bed.

Joe came out yesterday, working in his berry patch. He had driven to the farm and brought a truck load of manure. He spread that around and started his weeding. He joined us for lunch, carrying that lunch pail of his. Mother was so glad to chat with him. He isn’t working in the woods now. Waiting …

(and the rest of this letter is missing… ~Editor)

 

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