Chapter 2 - Freedoms


Michael Patrick was protecting his mother's emotions. What Michael was trying to say was that most kids would be mad at their parents for ruining the kids emotions and putting them in the middle of what happened and the mother's emotions. Michael Patrick did the opposite, he protected her. Michael Patrick was one of the special ninth kid that was born within 13 pounds and was the most quietest kid at the hospital. He had his eyes wide open looking around the room while other infants were kicking and screaming with eyes closed. Michael Patrick has Six brothers and two sisters. They included the count of brothers and sisters including the infant that died. No matter what, they include him even he was recently born and died. He was counted in the family, this shows how important he is being part of the family. Ma suffered the spousal abuse and she had to take care of nine kids. Ma suffered the bad marriage, back those days, divorce was not allowed. Catholic religion banned divorce. Even if she married a man that treated her like hell. He can leave and do whatever he wants but no divorce. The reason of one biggest end of the marriage that Ma ended was because Dave MacDonald didn't show up the baby's funeral. He had affair, he drank a lot, the beating was bad, but not showing up to the funeral, that's the end of it and that's it. Ma was done with him. Ma used welfare for financial help for paying the things that kids needed, and food. The father wasn't there for the kids as being a father. Ma turned to Grandpa when she needed a man to be there. He was always there and helpful.

OPINION and QUOTES:  "And we always did include Patrick in the count."   "Soon into the marriage Dave MacDonald beat my mother, fractured her skull on two occasions, and broke her ribs on another. To this day, though, Ma will remind you of that one time she knocked out his teeth with one good kick." She was one strong courage woman because most women wouldn't kick or hurt their abusive spouse because they would hurt them more. Ma kicked his teeth out. She was VERY strong and unbelievable because she had the COURAGE to do that.