Page 23 - Emailing SANTITA FAMIGLIE_ENG

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2. tHe joy oF parentHood and educational commitment

Despite the sacrifices and worries, Zélie writes: «I love children
madly» (Letter Dec. 15, 1872); «I longed to have many of them to
EVERYDAY LIFE OF THE MARTIN FAMILY
raise them for Heaven» .
15
The upbringing of the daughters was by common consent,
exercised with gentleness and firmness, especially through the
example of ordinary life.
It seems that after observing an argument between her parents,
little Marie went to her mother and asked, «Don’t you get along?»
Zélie’s response was clear: «Don’t worry, I love your father very
much». The parents talked about it by themselves and Zélie said, «We
need to control ourselves,» we cannot have such a behavior that raises
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such questions in our children.
This exchange of remarks proved the normality of this couple
in the ups and downs of family harmony but, at the same time, also
the firm will of a serene and constructive confrontation to improve.
They were careful to respect the personality of each child,
but without exaggerating. Louis had confidence in Zélie’s actions:
«Yesterday the whole morning was devoted to buying a complete
outfit for Maria; a beautiful dress, a coat very much to her taste. I
must start over again for Leonia; I thought of giving her your things,
but Maria next to her would be too elegant: everything must be at the
same level. All I do is buy things every day; your father jokes that it’s
a passion of mine! I try to explain to him that I can’t do otherwise; but
he finds it hard to believe. But he trusts me, he knows well that I will
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not lead him to ruin!» .

15 Zélie’s letter to Pauline, 4 March 1877.
16 Cf. Litigavano fra loro i genitori di santa Teresina? (08/02/2021), <it.aleteia.org>.
17 Zélie’s letter to her sister-in-law, December 1875.