Growing up on Walton's Mountain, it seems that each of us in my family had at least one occasion in which we got very sick or injured. Often times, these got very serious. These were scary times for my family, but we pulled together and got through these times. I remember in particular, on such instance in the Winter of 1935 that affected my sister Erin. That January brought paralyzing fear to everyone and made us much more thankful for each other.
January 21, 1935
"Children, breakfast time!" Olivia called. "You don't want to be late for school."
"Yes we do." Jim Bob replied.
"Jim Bob." Olivia scolded.
Jim Bob laughed and went to sit at the table next to Ben.
"Where's Jason and John-Boy?"
"They were standing outside talking." Ben replied.
"What about Erin and Elizabeth?"
Mary Ellen shrugged. "I'm guessing in our room."
"Mary Ellen, get that rouge off your face!" Olivia scolded. "You're much too young to be wearing it."
"Mama, I'm gonna be 14! I'll be 15 this Spring!" Mary Ellen protested.
"I was there when you were born, I know how old you are. Take it off!"
Mary Ellen groaned and went upstairs to the bathroom to take off her rouge.
John-Boy and Jason came in.
"My gosh, it's freezing out there today!" John-Boy shuddered coming in. "Be sure to bundle up, children."
"The snow's still coming down pretty good?" Olivia asked.
"It sure is." Jason replied. "Daddy said he would drive us to school."
"All the more reason for you children to be on time. Now, where are those girls?" said Olivia.
"Mama, come quickly!" Elizabeth called.
"What now?" Olivia muttered under her breath. She then called out, "Coming Elizabeth!"
Olivia came into the room.
"Erin doesn't feel good."
"I can't stop coughing." Erin said, continuing to cough.
Olivia felt her forehead. "My land, you've got a fever. You're going nowhere, Child!"
"Is she gonna be okay, Mama?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course, Sweetheart." Olivia smiled. "She just caught a cold. She should be fine in a few days. Go downstairs with your sister now."
"Get better Erin." Elizabeth hugged Erin.
Mary Ellen took hold of Elizabeth's hand and went downstairs with her.
"Where are the boys?"
"Probably getting in the truck." Mary Ellen said. So she and Elizabeth went outside.
They climbed in the truck cab.
"Just six today, Daddy. Erin's sick." Mary Ellen said.
"Hopefully she feels better." John replied.
After school, John-Boy and Jason were in charge of their younger siblings. While John could take the children in the morning, he was busy with work and couldn't pick them up in the afternoon.
"Elizabeth Tyler, why don't you have your jacket on?" John-Boy asked. "Do you wanna get sick like Erin?"
"No."
"Well get it on!"
"What a crab." Elizabeth said.
"I'm sorry, Honey. I just got handed a huge assignment that's due TOMORROW."
"That's not the only reason." Ben smiled.
"Shut your yap." John-Boy snapped.
"He misses his fiancée." Ben teased.
"She's visiting her mama this week." Jim Bob added.
"One more word, Jim Bob and Ben…" John-Boy said.
The two younger brothers just looked at each other and laughed.
"Now where are Mary Ellen and Jason?" John-Boy said impatiently.
"Right here John-Boy." Mary Ellen said.
"Oh. Everyone ready?"
"Yeah."
"All right."
Once home, Olivia told the children that Erin wasn't any better.
"She isn't any worse. But she isn't any better. She still has fits of coughing."
"I hope it's nothing serious." Mary Ellen replied.
"Is there anything we can do for her?" Jason asked.
"Let her rest." Olivia replied.
"That means quiet, Ben." Mary Ellen said.
"You're one to talk." Ben snapped back.
"All right, you two. Bickering will get Erin nowhere. Do your homework and chores. Supper will be around seven."
"That means no snowball fights." Elizabeth said sadly.
"Not today, Precious." Mary Ellen smiled, kissing her sister's forehead. She took her hand. "Come help me feed Chance."
That night, everyone ate supper. They then listened to the radio.
"Another snow storm is moving in on Friday." John said after hearing the weather forecast.
"We need the moisture." Olivia replied. "It will help things grow this Spring."
"I just with Winter would let up." Esther replied.
"It's only January, Old Woman. We've still got a good seven or eight weeks of Winter left. Then there's that good ol' March snow as well."
"You're a real day brightener, Zeb."
He chuckled.
January 22, 1935
The next day, Erin was no better.
"Erin's still sick?" John asked John-Boy.
"Yeah, she is." John-Boy replied. "I sure hope it's nothing serious."
"Me too. I'm starting to worry. Your mother is too."
"So am I." John-Boy said.
After school, the children went home. They ate supper with their parents and grandparents and went to bed.