Chapter Four - One Woman's Journey!

To tell her story, which intertwines in and around her sisters becoming part of the fabric of her life, would be impossible without making them a part. For indeed they were a component of her journey and there would be no life without them, each one contributing to her existence in a different way. They each were raised in the same house, on the same rich land their father had purchased in the middle 1930's. Each of the girls knew their place and chores. Each one had their own secrets and desires. Today they share memories of those years.

Linda was born in July 1944, shortly after the return from Detroit. Whether Arthur had accepted he was destined to have daughters and no sons in his future, no one actually knew for he kept his thinking to himself.

Linda was considered premature, weighing in at around six pounds, she weighed less that the three girls before her. She was healthy but small. At her birth, Donna, Nina and Doris were ushered to Granny O'Guins house to play. When returning home, they found a new sister that wasn't there before. They examined the baby, and eventually their lives for the most part was back to normal.

Martha was born in August 1947 when Linda was three years old. This time the girls were told to play outside all day. A hub of activity was going on inside the house, where Granny O'Guinn's two daughters had come to assist in the birth. One of the daughters was Aunt Nora who was married to Arthur's brother. She brought her children so the seven of them run amuck with no supervision to speak of. Donald and Orman, Aunt Nora's two sons were like brothers to Doris and her sisters and whatever they said was just wonderful, fun and funny.

Donald was one who appeared self assured at the age of 10, said. "Every time a Doctor comes to this house with that black bag he leaves a baby!"

Wow the girls had never thought of such a thing. On second thought it was true. It had happened at his house when Evonne was born in 1942, and now that the Doctor was expected to arrive any moment, Donald surmised, "I think I'll trip him this time before he goes up the porch steps. If he has a baby in that black bag and its a girl, we'll tell him to take it back."

That sounded like a plan. Shortly, the sound of crushing gravel was heard, and then the putt putt of the motor of a black car came around the curve at the edge of the field, stopping in front of the house. Dr. Atkins emerged hurriedly from the parked car, made his way up the steps and into the house without being tripped, while carrying his black bag.

Awhile later, Aunt Nora came to the porch to announce there was another baby girl inside the house. The women who served as mid-wives were always jubilant when a healthy baby arrived, however Doris and the others acknowledged the news, but went back to their play.

Then there was Lois. Lois was born in 1954. Dr. Atkins had a clinic by then where he delivered the babies for families all over Houston County. For the first time in all of her child bearing years, Sarah received a new bassinet with a complete layette.

Being fourteen, Doris felt privileged to know about this birth. She was slightly aware of her mother's swelling body and the slowness of her steps, as she grew bigger. She watched her parents get into the car and drive away. Martha knew they were going to town, though she had no idea why. She asked for bubble gum, and was upset when they came back home the next day with a baby sister instead.

Lois was their baby. Each of the older girls appreciated having a little one around to dress, bathe and comb her hair. It took a great responsibility off Sarah, as her housework and farm life didn't slack up because she had another baby in the house.

Six girls, who were not aware of how rich their lives were; how every occurrence on the farm would take them through trials and test of life in years to come, and give them a bond of love that would be difficult to break. A bond that far surpassed blood line and went into friendships, the kind that lasts through lean uncertain times.

Six girls who would go their separate ways after school as siblings will, but would in time, return in one common purpose

As far as they were concerned,as the circle of family they were becoming, would grow, live, thrive, survive and die on the land of their birth. Little did they know that one day the picture would be much different than the scene that played out before them in that day 1954.