The Mercy Seat, a Chair of Discipline

As a child with nine siblings, growing up was very exciting and unpredictable. We had make believe heroes and villains. We had unlimited imaginations. We had our own individual talents and characters we played. I will only reveal the characters that I played.

I was a preacher, nurse and sheriff. My siblings and I had typical sibling rivalries and our share of disagreements. Sometimes resulting in us to receive "time outs". My Mom would direct us to retreat to a little red rocking chair - "The Mercy Seat", for us to sit and reflect on the negative behavior that put us in this position and to figure out what positive behavior could have prevented us from being there.

The black and white photo is of four of my sisters and me. Look closely you will see the rocking chairs. I know we look like Our Gang, "The Little Rascals". But this is really a photo of the Morris Sisters. I am the one hugging my younger Sister. Little did we know, there were others yet to be born.

The second photo in color, are the mercy seats for my four children. I used the same method my Mom used, because I knew from experience that it was effective.

In the third photo you will see how I used the same mercy seats in my kitchen around my harvest table to hold the overflow of things needed to prepare a meal, especially when I am baking.

Have a great Day!