Evening star., 1938-06-29
Saying Word
Of Thanks
Each Day
Mother Deserves
Appreciation of
Hard Work.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

By ANGELO PATRI.
"COME to table, children. Come,
Daddy. Dinner is ready"
It was . good dinner. Everybody
enjoyed 1t. The meat was Drowned
Just the way father liked it. The
gravy was just right for Brother. The
mashed potatoes were creamy the way
Sister liked them best, and the des-
sert was the family favorite-apple
pie, 80 haky. so exactly what an apple
pie should be that there wasn't q
crumb on a plate when Rover came
asking for his share.
After dinner the family separated,
each to 60 his own way and attend
to his own business. Father took up
his paper, Brother sat down before the
radio, Sister went to her book by the
window, Mother cleared the table,
washed the dishes and put on the
cereal for tomorrow's breakfast. Then
she lay down on the couch in the
living room.
Ma, did you mend my gym shirt?"
mo. didn't have time. You don't
need it until Friday, anyway"
Just the same, wish you'd mended
it. I'd like to wear it tomorrow. Can't
you do it now?"
20, that reminds me, Ma. Did you
get my book changed at the library"
said Sister, looking up from her story
book with an anxious expression.
You didn't ask me to change your
book. could have done it when I
was going by the library this morn
ing, had known about it."
Goodness! You might have thought
about it. Even II didn't say any
thing. You knew it was past due. Now
I'll be fined"
Mother said nothing. If she felt
that her family was inconsiderate and
selfish. that they accepted her serv-
ices as matter Of course, without any
expression Of gratitude or affection in
return, she made no sign.
think that is . mistake on her
part. Wnen mother keeps house,
does all the work that this entails,
and ends the day by cooking = fine
dinner, the family ought at least 70
let her know they appreciated 1t. It
would be q good idea If father were
to say, my, that roast is perfect. Just
the right shade of brown. Mother, you
certainly do know how to make hum
CRY man glad he has an appetite.
I'm going to make that roast disap-
pear like nobody's business. How
about you, son?"
Mother needs that word Of appre-
citation and encouragement. She has
devoted her entire day to serving and
feeding this family. This work COM
mands respect, and it should inspire
gratitude. Children have to be taught
to express that gratitude, to think once
In while about how much mother
does for them, and father Is the one
to attend to their understanding OF
this important matter.
II father takes everything for grant,
ed, 80 will the children. If mothers
services, If all the expression Of her
love, her devotion to duty, her Joy
in their service, are ignored, and the
only expression from her children is
. needless request for more, the quail
ity Of home, the spiritual atmosphere
that should surround it, will never
dwell there. Mother will sink under
the burden Of unappreciated service.
Try saying q word of thanks and
appreciation to the mother of the
family every day. Especially il you are
the father.
Mr.. Patri will give personal At
tention to Inquiries from parents
and school teachers on the care
and development Of children. Write
him in care Of this paper, inclos-
ing Scent stamped, self-ad.
GFeaeed envsle9e fee reely.
HCnm1AnnA. q0nnA