“NOW… I Lay Me Down to Sleep”

This Photo is of the “BIG GIRL’s” dormitory… and the “NUN” that slept in that small cubicle …in that far right hand corner… was “Sister Seraphine”. She was also the “NUN in charge”  of the third floor dormitories and all of the “Girl’s” clothing – – that is the numbering of  each girl’s identification number  into each and on  every piece of clothing – – and my number was … #91.

Looking down this row of beds – – near the windows – – count down about six beds – – and that would be where I slept for the last three to four years – – till GRADUATION DAY – – and then I  left. Before this “BED ROOM” – – I was in another DORM and the  “NUN in charge”  was the same “NUN in charge of the LAUNDRY” – – “Sister M. Radegundis”. – –  I slept right next to her cubicle when I first came here – – and later was moved to a bed in the opposite corner of the room – – and that is ‘the spot’  for this part of the story. 

When I received the “Sparton Radio” I would plug it in to the electric on the Pavilion – – so as to be  re-charging  the battery – – so then we could listen more often to  music and dance and other programs elsewhere. Some of the girls that like music and had lots of “get-up-and- go” would do all kinds of dancing – – some of the dances the older girls would do – – we younger girls would copy. 

If you watch any of the old time movies – – the ones of the “Army Canteen” since we had just finished WWII – – and most of the movies featured  music and dancing – – and that is what we ‘girls’ were  doing – – so much Fun – – and the time went by faster. At… “ten after seven”  every evening  – – it was then…  time to head for the dormitories. When you were in the  ‘eighth grade’ – you were allowed to stay up till … “twenty five minutes   past eight” – –  as everybody would get up at “five-thirty” in the morning – – since we had to all be in CHURCH for Mass at “six o’clock” – – rain or shine.

So… I would undo the plug from the electric and plug it into the back of my radio – – and get in line with the rest of the girls… carrying  my radio. We had a procedure which we did have to  follow – – each night – – saying our set of evening prayers aloud and unmaking our own  bed – – folding the spread just so…so – undressing and hanging our play-clothes correctly on the chair beside our bed- – even the socks hung on the rail of the bed. Your clothes never hit the floor – – you did have to wear them tomorrow – – for a whole week  – – except for in  Church and  in School –  – and  at each  time  – – we changed clothes… they were hung  up with care!

In a short amount of time…all lights were out – – a few vigil lights would be burning in front of different statues of SAINTS on high pedestals throughout  the corridors – – a night light in the bathroom – – and the NUNS were all off for PRAYERS and or recreation?

So… now I would turn my radio on very low – – had it sitting on my chair – – right near to my bed – – and would have one of the terrific story programs on — and in those  days – – they were all “top drawer” stuff. Well … “Linda Crow” was in the bed next mine – – and she whispered… “Can I listen… too?” – – “SURE” – – “Just pull the head of your bed closer.”  So,  for many a night the two of us would listen to stories – – until…  we would hear the “NUN” coming down the corridor – – each  “NUN” would have a certain way of walking – – and the way they walked and the way their  “Rosary and beads” would rattle along within  their  garments – – each “NUN”  had a distinctive sound – – and you would know “WHO” and how much time you had – – so that you would not get into any trouble.

“Radio off… my dress thrown over the chair and radio – – and… then  I slept like a “new-born baby” – – finishing the “radio story”  as I fell asleep!”


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