Outgoing and active, the siblings rarely got into trouble. Danny was once expelled from school for a week for skipping classes. His parents confined him to his home, but relaxed their prohibitions on outside activities long enough for him to attend a course on transcendental meditation that he had earlier signed up to take.

Each of the children knew what was expected of them. Rules were made

— and observed for the most part. “Do your best and be honest” was the maxim with which they were instilled, and in turn, they tried to live up to the high standards of which they were expected. They were a very close— knit family, spurred on by the evident sense of pride that accompanied their accomplishments. Each of the Murphy children grew up with the sense that they were loved unconditionally.

They were also given a great deal of latitude to make their own decisions. When Michael finished high school, he considered taking a year off

to travel. Although Kathleen and Bill encouraged him to continue his education, they left the final decision to him. They also recognized the temptations that their children would face growing up. One was caught with some marijuana at home one evening, and although he was not disciplined, was given a serious warning about the problems associated with addictions.

114 KATHLEEN MURPHY, MAITRIARC