Honor Your Mother

Having Merrym and the kids live next door to me was a joy and work at the same time. It got to the point that the only place I went without them was to work. I didn't mind, but I definitely did not have a life of my own.

I would get home from work about 4:30 PM. I would park in the driveway between my house and walk directly to Merrym's house to make sure all was ok. I very seldom went to my own house until around 8:00 PM. Much of my time was spent teaching the kids what they needed to do or helping with homework.

We have told some stories about Asab and Courtney that show their behavior problems, but today is "pat them on the back day". As you know they were 6 and 7 when they came back from Seattle. They would come home from school and immediately have to start doing things to help their mom. Merrym could not load the washing machine or dryer. We taught the kids how to load the washer, how much soap to put in and how to turn it on. They also took care of putting it in the dryer. After it was dry, they would bring it in the living room and Merrym always tried to make a game out of the three of them folding the clothes and putting them away.

They also helped with the cooking, the dishes, the vacuuming, dusting etc. Even at this early age they could make an extremely nice meal that gained praise from any company that was invited to dinner. We tried to praise them for all they did, but I'm sure to them we were always nagging them to do something else. I would help do the deeper cleaning and help the children so they wouldn't feel like all they did was work. It was hard getting them to do their chores, but eventually it would get done.

Asab and Courtney never got to go anywhere without having to help me lift the wheelchair into the trunk and lift it out. They took turns pushing their mother in her chair. We would see other children running and jumping freely everywhere we went. Courtney and Asab always had the responsibility of making sure their mother got in and out of the car all right and then they had to stay very close to her in case she needed something. I really never heard them complain about any of this. In fact they would fight over who got to help with the chair.

Much of the responsibility of helping Merrym fell on Courtney, because she was a girl. She helped her mother in the bathroom. She would get up at night and help her mother to the bathroom. She helped her mother get dressed and all the female things. There were times when Asab had no choice but to help his mom, even in these situations. There could not be any such thing as embarrassment for Merrym or her kids. They just did what they had to do.

They have certainly been brats and you will hear more of that, but much of their childhood was taken away from them due to Merrym's illness, which makes a lot of sense. They were hurt, confused and angry. But there were also many times such as those addressed here, that these two wonderful children (gifts from God) had to be responsible, strong, helpful etc. beyond their years and I'm so proud of them for that!

And am sure Merrym is too!

Honor your Mother and Father, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long. Deut. 5:14

Love, Mother Hen Glory