September 6, 1938
In the Fall of 1938, there was change in the air. I was only a few months away from being the father of three, the worst of the Depression was over, and Elizabeth was soon going to be a decade old. But perhaps the biggest change came for my sister Mary Ellen. She had graduated back in May. Now it was September and she would be leaving behind the predictability of high school and moving into the unknown future of college.
"Well Honey, I guess it's time we say goodbye." Daddy told his oldest daughter.
"Bye Daddy." She hugged him.
"Bye Honey." He smiled.
"Bye Mama." Mary Ellen hugged her mother. "Oh don't cry, Mama. I'll be home every other weekend and I'm only two hours away if you want to come and see me."
"I know," Olivia sniffed. "It's just the thought that my baby girl is going to be away from home for the first time. We love you Mary Ellen. We'll see you in a couple weeks."
"I love y'all too." Mary Ellen smiled.
Mary Ellen hugged her sister-in-law. "Have a great birthday next week, Jenny. I'm so sorry I won't be there to help you celebrate."
"Don't worry about it." Jenny smiled. "Your schooling is more important. Besides, I have Joy. It's pretty cool to have a sister-in-law who shares the same birthday as me."
"Bye Honey." John-Boy kissed Mary Ellen's cheek.
"Bye John-Boy. Give Jenny and Joy the best birthday ever." Mary Ellen smiled.
"I'll try." John-Boy grinned.
John-Boy was holding John. Mary Ellen kissed her nephew's forehead.
"Bye Jen." Mary Ellen kissed her niece's cheek.
Jen began to cry. "Auntie Ma-wy E-wen!" she cried.
"Oh Jen," Jenny picked up her daughter. "Shhh… It's okay. You'll see Aunty Mary Ellen in another two weeks."
Mary Ellen began to tear up. "I love you Jen." She said.
"I wuv you." Jen choked out through sobs.
A tear streamed down Mary Ellen's cheek.
Joy was crying too. "I'm gonna miss."
Mary Ellen hugged her. "I love you Joy. Have the best birthday ever."
Joy nodded.
Erin hugged Mary Ellen. "Have a good time." Erin teased, but Mary Ellen could tell that her oldest younger sister was trying to hold back the tears as well.
"Thanks." Mary Ellen smiled. "I love you Erin. I'll see you in two weeks."
"I'll see you in two weeks…" Erin got a lump in her throat and she knew there was no more hiding the tears. "I love you Mary Ellen." Erin said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Mary Ellen choked back a sob.
Jason kissed Mary Ellen's cheek. "Have a great Fall semester, Little Sis. I'm so proud of you. You're going to make the most amazing nurse."
A lump rose to Mary Ellen's throat before she could speak. "Thanks Jason. I love you so much."
"I love you Mary Ellen." He smiled.
Elizabeth was crying and came to hug Mary Ellen. "I'll miss you Mary Ellen."
"I'll miss you." Mary Ellen choked out, hugging her sister tight. "I love you so much Elizabeth."
"I love you Mary Ellen." She said, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Have a great start to your semester Mary Ellen." Ben smiled.
"Thanks Ben. Love ya."
"Love ya. See ya in a couple weeks."
Jim Bob hugged Mary Ellen. "I'll see you in a couple weeks."
"See you Jim Bob. Love you."
"Love you."
Grandma hugged Mary Ellen. "Oh Mary Ellen, I can't believe this time has finally come. I'm so proud of you. Have a great first couple weeks and we'll see you soon."
"I love you Grandma, thank you." Mary Ellen began to cry again.
Grandpa kissed Mary Ellen's cheek. "I love you, Sweet Granddaughter. Have a great start to your nursing school."
Tears streamed down Mary Ellen's cheeks. "I love you Grandpa. Thank you."
"Well we'd better leave her to get settled in. Either one of the boys or I will come to get you in two weeks Mary Ellen. We love you. See you soon." John smiled at his daughter.
Mary Ellen couldn't help but cry.
"Two weeks will go fast Honey. Just wait and see." John added.
Mary Ellen forced a smile. "Bye everyone."
"Bye Mary Ellen." They called as they left.
Mary Ellen sat on her bed and cried for a couple of minutes. Then her roommate came in.
"You all right Honey?" the girl asked.
"This is just my first time away from home." Mary Ellen replied.
"Mine too. I'm so glad we have that in common." Her roommate smiled. She extended her hand. "I'm Nancy Jacobs."
"I'm Mary Ellen Walton." Mary Ellen smiled and shook her hand.
"How old are you Mary Ellen?"
"Eighteen."
"So am I. When was your birthday?"
"April 16th."
"Mine's July 26th. Well Mary Ellen, I have a feeling we are gonna get along wonderfully. I'm so glad to have a nice roommate like you."
"So am I." Mary Ellen smiled.
"I'm gonna go finish getting my things and then I'll be back. See you later Mary Ellen."
"See ya Nancy." Mary Ellen smiled.