Stranded.

When we first got to Maryville, Pat was in high school so was placed in the high school dorm, Sharon, Kathleen and I were in grade school  so the three of us were placed in Isabelle Hall together and Suzanne my four year old sister was placed in Mercy Hall, all by herself. I was so desperately trying to deal with my feelings I didn’t think to feel or understand how lonely and scared Suzanne must have felt. I was soon to see a demonstration of exactly how she felt.

The following Sunday after arriving at Maryville my Mother was allowed to visit us. The six of us sat on chairs outside talking; it was a beautiful sunny day.  I don’t remember any of the conversation but I do remember when it was time to say good-by to my mother.

As I saw my Mother say good-by and start to leave, I stood there motionless, too scared to do or say anything but Suzanne wasn't.  As my Mother started to walk away, Suzanne ran up to her, took her hand and said “OK mom let’s go”. My Mother said “oh no you have to stay here” but Suzanne persisted “no I am going with you!” and with that my mother let go of Suzanne’s hand and just walked away.  Suzanne began to scream and cry, then fell to the ground screaming and kicking her legs in to the concrete walk. Seemingly oblivious to the situation, my Mother just kept walking away.  A nun came over picked Suzanne up and tried to comfort her, but there was no comforting to be had; that time had passed – it was the most painful day of my life.