so after being beaten unmercifully at home, there was church and it was about as harsh as home. the adults would set us kids on the seats in front of them. this is so we would be in easy reach where we could be slapped (in front of all present). and we were not allowed to move from those seats. not even to go to the toilette. i still remember kids peeing on the floor because they were not allowed to go to the toilette. i remember after sitting there for hours. this was usually from between the hours of 7:30 pm. to approximately 10:00 pm and even later in some cases. if they supposed that the "spirit" was moving it would end up going on sometimes until 1:00 in the morning. we would fidget and move about in our seats. while my sisters were tolerated somewhat. this was never allowed to me! i remember turning around in my seat to look to the rear of the church because someone had come in the door to see who it was. and i was promised a beating when i got home. and she my mother kept her promise! it was with a metal fly swatter. and i remember the sting of it on my bare legs as if it was today. i do not remember my sisters ever being beaten after coming home. most of the harshest treatment was reserved for me. my sisters were indulged while i was not. the usual treatment was that i would be forced to stay in my bedroom in the cold weather and forced to stay outside in summer weather. the neighboring kids would go and play ball across the street and most of the times mom would not allow me to go over with them. so i was forced to watch them play. i used to take refuge in the woods out back and pretend that i was a "great hunter of some INDIAN TRIBE". i remember that i spent a countless number of hours in the forest. this was my way of hiding from the school bullies. i will talk about this in the next post............ thanks for your time