Rules and Regulations… | Grandma’s Stories

Oct 14th Rules and Regulations…

Some “Rules and Regulations” end up being very costly to me! I know that we must have “ORDER” in all of our lives – and especially in the “ORPHANAGE” – but – what happened to a little “HONESTY” when you have the rules that you want the Orphan children to adhere too? With all the nice things that I have given Sister Florence credit for – I just cannot forgive her for causing a “RIFT” between my MOTHER and myself.

When I was in the 3^rd and 4^th grades in Sister Florence’s classroom – certain rules were directed to all the children – and I have to guess that all of us did obey these rules – one was everyone must turn in all money received on “VISITING DAY” which was good for most of the kids – but do not misbehave – because the money you had on the books – you lost for misbehaving! There was one girl friend of mine – Audrey , who told me that she kept her money and did not turn it in – just because they kept all her money – so now she has a large size “DOLL” and one arm was missing – and everything of value goes in a sock and she puts that inside the “DOLL!” Audrey was one gal that you would not want to be an enemy of – she would do some real harm to you when you weren’t ready – I’ve seen that happen.

Another rule was that any food – cakes and cookies you would bring to the BAKERY – any FRUIT and COLD FOODS – you would bring to the KITCHEN – and hope that no one else decides to help themselves to your goodies? Several times I did have a “Birthday Cake” that I did bring to the BAKERY – and it was always safe there for me – so no complaints in that department.

The subject of my complaint is that of turning in “BOOKS” to your “SCHOOL TEACHER” for their approval? I know that there are some books that are real trash – but that was not the case with me. My Mother would not waste her money on trash. On this particular Visiting Day – my Mother brought three (3) books for me. Like the obedient child – I took these books to the classroom for inspection – as other children were bringing some stuff that they had received and or money? The one book was “Song of Bernadette” – I had taken the name “Bernadette” for my Confirmation Name – no problem – this book was okay to keep and take, but the other two she said she would have to inspect – further???

One of the other books, title “Razor’s Edge” and another book I do not know the title and never did pay any attention to it – – at the time – only wish that I would have written the title names down –as Sister Florence – never gave these two books – back to me and when the next Visiting Sunday came – my Mother ask how I liked the books? All I could say – was that I only have the “Song of Bernadette” and will have to find out where the others are???

Sister Florence was not available that Sunday – so when at school the next day asks her for them – that My Mother wanted to read those books! Well, the story was she cannot find them? She never could find them – all the years that I was there – I’m guessing that all the NUNS read the books and that they were thoroughly worn out – as books sure can tell a story all by themselves – “I have been well read – or – No one has even opened me?!?”