I’m writing this on Mother’s Day and as I do every day, I think of my mother in the most loving way, remembering all that she did for my sisters and I. I know I could never have endured the hardships and sacrifices that she experienced in her 84 years on this earth.

The one instance that identifies her is the day I was standing too close to a wood burning stove and my skirt caught on fire- I was so mesmerized I could only stare down at it and repeat “my skirt is on fire.”

My mother heard me from another room and came rushing to rip my skirt off burning her hands so badly she was under medical treatment for weeks. She bore four daughters and lost twin boys.

It was during the Depression and things were rough enough but my mother was at each of our bedsides through many illnesses.

After spending nine days with me in the hospital when I was seven years old, one month later she was to spend another 30 days in the hospital with my sister then 5, who had escaped death with advanced peritonitis. Just a few months later she was at my third sister’s side in the hospital as she recovered from a kidney ailment.

Later, Mother tended to my father during the 18 months he suffered from terminal lung cancer. During that time, my youngest sister was hospitalized with appendicitis. Mother, also, underwent two major surgeries during those years.

She worked along side my father on the farm where there were no modern facilities. She never complained and no matter how busy they were, she and my father attended every event in which we participated at school.

Following my father’s death, my mother, only 47 and an accomplished artist, studied and became a successful Realtor. She also made every effort to attend the games and programs which involved her grandchildren.

She was always on call in case one of us became ill, comforting and encouraging. My mother’s art pieces, her hand painted jugs, greeting cards, and framed scenes are in homes across this country I can recall, also the school buses sitting in our yard while she painted new letters on them. To me, her most admirable quality was her faith. I wish I could emulate

my mother whom I think of every day.

I know each of you have your mother tucked in a special place in your hearts. I know I do.

May of 1936

An operetta based on an old Indian Legend was performed by Cardington High School students: Winifred McCabe, Curtis Rengert,, Jean Gandee, Frank VanSickle, Paul Sprang, Wayne Snyder, Gary Dodds, Carl Wasson, Horace Francis, Ruth Shaw and Dorothy Young.

May of 1946

Inducted into the U S Army were Theodore Kittel and Doyle Clark, Marengo; Earl Geroge, Donald Sautter, Robert Gompf of Mt Gilead; Lowell Hershner, Shauck, Walter Neal Smith, Cardington; George Enck, Lexington and Richard Warren, Galion. Will Welber, former owner of the Union Department Store in Mount Gilead, died in South Bend, Indiana. He operated the Union Store from 1915 until 1926 when he sold it to the Holland Co.

May of 1986

Inducted into the Cardington-Lincoln High School National Honor Society were Kelly Kirkpatrick, Susan Graham, Jeni Nichols, Eric Curts, Brad Wears, Mat Johnson, Scott Blough, Rod Squires, Michelle Staiger, Todd Edgell and Becky Bauman.

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By Evelyn Long

The Sentinel

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