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Their child had taken a cold
and had been very sick for days. Jayleen, the Mother, was shut in with the
sick baby and cold weather until she felt worn and thread bare as the old
house slippers she was wearing. She padded about the house for several
days just half dressed in a robe spending every moment caring for the sick
child. The little girl's injury at birth had caused her to be fragile and
with delicate health. With being ever alert and watchful even when the
child was well she had survived up until this time when she was two years
old.
Jaylene heard the tapping at
the door but did not want to answer it. She was sure she looked to be a
total wreck. The attention she had been giving the baby did not leave the
house in a much better state of affairs. The small rooms demanded that one
continually keep things picked up and she had not done even this much. She
peered through the front glass window of the door and recognized the
woman. Jayleen did like her so she let her in.
"Kat!" "How are
you?" "Come In," Jaylene invited her into the house.
While Katheryn glanced about
the house, Jayleen knew she was wondering about the condition of things.
It was evident the visitor did not seem bothered by what she was seeing.
"I guess I should not
have answered the door." " The baby has been sick and I'm
thoroughly worn out," Jayleen apologized.
Kat could be described as
being a vivacious fire ball. She had five daughters in stair step ages.
Wherever you saw them, they were always sparkling clean with hair combed
to a point of perfection. They were lined up one behind the other like
little walking dolls marching to the steps of the one just older than the
other. If Kat was ever depressed, frightened or lonely no one ever knew
about it. She was the one who was always there first to lend a hand when
someone needed help. She seemed to actually have a spiritual direction
leading her to this or that person who was floundering in one or another
human suffering.
If Kat's red hair suggested
she was Irish certainly, her personality agreed. She was quick to tell you
her folks were "Arrrish." Really, she didn't need to explain.
The obvious was there. Her culture came through when she cooked with
certain herbs to make something plain become special. The background could
be well noted with her dedication to her family's education going toward
music and most especially with her careful Christian instruction of the
children. They were well advanced in their memory work and reading
abilities
Kat seemed happy to play with
the baby for a few minutes. "I came by to ask if you would go with me
to see Elvis Presley in, Blue Hawaii, tonight?" "Jim will
babysit for me."
"Oh what a great
thought!" Jayleen exclaimed.
"Good! With that Kat was
out the door in her quick way. Jayleen would learn to know over the many
years, Kat's ways. The woman would develop into something of a pillar in
the little community where she lived. She would energetically raise the
most beautiful of children, grandchildren and on to great grandchildren.
As their little numbers began to swell and grow each of them was as varied
as the notes of music they all played. Like their mother they were
constantly on the move with activities of strength and goodness. Probably,
the only difference in Kat and her girl's was that they were a little
different in their personalities. They were daughters of a man who was
one-half Choctaw Indian. This gave them a different turn to their ways and
it was very pleasant. Some were darker to show the Choctaw, and others
were fair to the maximum going to their Irish blood.
Seven o'clock and Kat was
there without fail. "Careful" she called from the car window.
"It's slick. uh-huh. It is too," and she giggled mischievously.
"Br-r, couldn't Elvis have waited until a better day to come
around." She laughed.
"I'll speak with him
about it," Jayleen smiled dreamily.
"Yeah, you do that, you
just speak with him, Ha!" Kat grinned.
Naturally, they were among a
very few out that evening but, surprisingly, there was a good crowd.
The music, the clear sparkling
Hawaiian waters, the costumes and, of course, Elvis, darkly handsome in
white, all wove a spell. They came out of the movie doing the hand motions
and hula dances under their heavy winter coats. When Kat dropped her off,
Jayleen waved to her. "I'll never forget what you've done for
me."
"Yeah, you'll forget, you
won't even remember it in the morning," and even on the ice she sped
out of the drive way slipping back onto the street and was gone.
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