I made changes to “Little Things Matter.” This version is more polished than the original. I tried to make changes directly to the original, but couldn’t. This is about the same little girl who got to know her father after he returned from World War II. He had served in Germany and France as a Medic. Her father wants to give her and her mother a nice home, but the only way he can save money is by going without what most people consider the necessities.
The spring of 1946, Patty’s Dad and Mom moved from a World War II housing project. The apartments were heated by furnace. All had not only hot and cold running water, but also a bathroom and electricity. They moved to a shack in the country. This structure shared a parcel of land with a huge old barn and a chicken coop. The dwelling consisted of two rooms, had no running water, bathroom or kitchen and only a wood stove to warm them, heat water, cook and bake. She and her parents slept in one room. Patty slept in a crib, while Mom and Dad slept in a regular bed. The other room was used for everything. However, they hung sheets for privacy around an area where they kept a washbasin, pot and potty-chair. For a while, both kitchen and living room furniture occupied this room.
It was spring and Mom announced, “I have finished icing the cake and have placed four candles on it.” She looked outside and saw the sun shinning. “Daddy, would you take Patty’s table and one her chairs outside. I want to take a picture of her with her birthday cake.”
“Not unless I can lick off the beater or have the spoon and icing bowl.” She handed him the beater. The bowl and a spoon she gave to her daughter. Dad and Patty sat down at the kitchen table to enjoy the sweet icing.
Patty’s Dad had returned from World War II the year before. He had served in the Army as a medic in France and Germany. Now that he had come home for good, he planned to save money for a down payment on a nice home. That’s why he moved his wife and child into this temporary two-room shack. He would not have to pay rent, or pay for water, electricity, or fuel.
“Mom,” said Dad. I am going to build living room onto this. That will give us a little more room.”
While in town buying chicken feed, Dad decided to order lumber, tools, nails, plasterboard, and windows. Then after a fellow delivered the larger building materials, he said, “Patty, I want you help me build this room.”
“What you want me to do, Daddy?”
“You can hand me nails and tools when I need them. Before we start each day, we’ll need to carry in water and wood for Mom.”
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