October song (13 page)

I’ve been thinking ‘bout giving your mamma a call encourage her, you know. I’m praying ‘bout this, you can be sure. It’s time the gap is breached, I should say. ‘Tis past time.

She wouldn’t go on and on ‘bout the thorny problem, the wedge that had come between Esther and her mamma. No, best to trust the Lord on such matters.

Rachel continued writing.

It’s hard even for me to believe it, but Annie’s in the second grade this year al ready. Reads fairly well, I must say, and she’s right happy ‘bout printing her own name, as well as her new baby brother’s. Every day she comes home all smiles, eager to show her pop and me the lessons she’s learning. Philip went down to the neighborhood general store and bought a

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tiny chalkboard, just big enough for her to write her numbers on. ABC’s too.

Ach, you’d be surprised at how my Philip’s takin’ to fatherhood to the whole of the Amish community, too. So good, he is, with our little Gabriel. Likes to sit out in the yard with both Annie and Gabe of an evening, soakin’ up the things in nature that attracted him here in the first place, I s’pose. Things like an abandoned bird’s nest, a garden path strewn with scarlet leaves, and lightning bugs. Why, sometimes, it seems as if he’s seem’ things through the eyes of Annie and our baby son.

Philip says he’s learned more from the children ‘bout the pleasure of nature — than the other way round. Creek beds and apple orchards are all places where wonder begins. We need only to join our children, get right down on our hands and knees, in order to see the miracle of God’s creation. Jah, our youngsters teach us ever so much, ain’t?

My husband is forever sharin’ with me bits and pieces of his former life in New York. Says it’s just too easy in the mod-ern-day culture to lose touch with nature. English folk don’t seem to have much time for the natural world, even though

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we’re all made by God to hunger after the earth and sky. So nature’s rhythms get lost in the shuffle of livin’, and how sad ‘tis.

For me, I can’t imagine marchin’ to another beat-the drumbeat of the city-spending day after day inside, breathing secondhand air, awash in artificial white lights, bounded by concrete and glass and whatnot all.

“Any relationship demands time and plenty of it,” says Philip. I’m a-thinkin’ he’s feelin’ the loss, having missed out on a connection with nature, so to speak, by growing up in a big city, by not playing heartily as Amish youngsters do (when chores are caught up) in the dirt, makin’ mud pies, splashin’ through streams, gatherin’ up stones and shells, and occasionally catchin’ bullheads out in the pond. Outdoors is where a body can let thoughts wander to high heavens. But, then, I’m not telling you anything new.

Well, things are wonderful-gut here with my dear husband by my side. He’s happy as a lark, I do believe, working the land by day, writin’ his stories by night. He wears the black broad fall trousers I sew for him tan suspenders, too

‘specially on the days he works alongside

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our Old Order neighbors up the road apiece. With his full beard, I daresay Philip looks as Plain as any of the rest of

US.

So, a cheerful foursome, we are. Isn’t God good to bring such joy to this former widow’s heart?

Best be thinking ‘bout supper here perty soon. Before I sign off, though, here are two Scriptures that’ve kept me goin’ myself a number of times: Philippians 4:7 and 13. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” And, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

May the Lord bless and keep you always in His care, Esther. Please give your baby trio a hug and kiss from their cousin

in Lancaster County dren, too.

the older chil—

Love

always, Rachel

She set about preparing supper, peeling potatoes and putting a thawed ham in the oven. That done, she dialed Aunt Leah’s telephone number. “Well, how’s the new grandmammi?” Rachel said after exchanging greetings.

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“Oh my three at once,” came the reply. “Can you imagine?”

She couldn’t, not at all, but didn’t say so. “Sounds to me like Esther’s head-over-heels in babies.”

“Surely she’s got herself some extra help. She’dhaveto.”

“Folks from the church is all I know.” She wondered if Aunt Leah might take the hint, think of giving Esther a hand.

” ‘Spect Levi’s more of a hinder than a help, the babies being’ so tiny ‘n’ all.”

She didn’t know ‘bout that. Levi was prob’ly a right gut father, far as Rachel knew.

“I’ve been thinkin’ things over,” Aunt Leah said, out of the blue. “Thought I just might hire me a driver and make a trip out there, help my daughter with her babies.”

Rachel was ever so relieved. For too long there’d been a rift between Esther and her parents, ‘specially after Levi Click decided to up and leave Lancaster County, taking his wife and young family along. Other things, too certain church teachings had gotten in the way of the tie that binds for the past few years.

“I’d say your going oughta cheer Esther up. Fact is, I/enova it will,” Rachel replied.

“Oh? Is Esther blue, then?”

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“Well … a little, jah.” She wouldn’t re veal too much.

“Ach, I’m awful glad you said so, ‘cause I know just what she needs.” Aunt Leah seemed eager to talk all of a sudden. “I’ll take along some catnip tea, that and rasp berry tea. Both’ll perk her up a bit, help her sleep better at night, I ‘spect. She’ll feel gut as new.”

“Hadn’t thought of it, but, jah, such a gut idea.”

There was a slight pause. Then Aunt Leah said, “You and Esther seem to see eye to eye, ain’t so?”

Rachel didn’t quite know what to say. “We’re cousins by birth, friends by choice.” She might’ve said, “And sisters in the Lord, because of Calvary’s cross,” but let it go at that.

“Esther, she’s in need of close friends, way out there so far from home and all,” Aunt Leah remarked, her voice a bit forced

now.

Rachel agreed. “I would think she’d get homesick, jah.”

“Why they ever left, I’ll never know… “

Truth was, Aunt Leahdidknow. Her son-in-law was a-hankerin’ for land. There was plenty of it to go around farther west.

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Rachel sighed. “Well, I mustn’t keep you, Aunt Leah. The Lord bless you and

give you a safe trip and a right good

time in Holmes County.”

Another pause, then “You say you’re still close with my Esther?”

“Oh my, yes, ever so close.” Rachel could’ve gone on and on, tellin’ her aunt just how dear her Ohio cousin was to her, but Aunt Leah should know that. “Esther and I… well, I daresay, we’re just like you

and Mamma. Close as sisters.”

Aunt teah said no more.

“I wrote her a letter. Thought I’d mail it off tomorrow,” Rachel said quickly, thinking she oughta bring the conversation to an end.

“Why don’t I deliver it in person for you?”

“Wonderful-gut,” Rachel replied. “Denki—thanks.”

“One gut turn deserves another.” Rachel had to smile as she said goodbye and hung up the phone. Hurrying off to check on her own little one, she couldn’t help but think that just maybe things were starting to move in a new direction for Esther and her mamma. ‘Course, then, only time would tell.

Thinkin’ on it even more, Rachel won

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dered, too, if the Lord might’ve blessed Aunt Leah with triplet grandbabies as a way of healing the families. Just maybe

twas.

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Raising Zool(s Barn

Let us do good unto all men, especially

unto them who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:10

Philip Bradley, former New York journalist, had lived most of his life far from the fold of the People. Marrying Rachel Yoder, a beautiful Amish widow, had been the best choice he’d ever made for himself. That, and embracing wholeheartedly the conservative customs of the New Order Amish church.

Promptly, he had abandoned his fashionable attire, technological conveniences, and even his car, although he kept it in good repair parked behind the house for dire emergencies. He had voluntarily grown a beard without a mustache, as was Amish custom donned the traditional clothing of the brethren, and “unplugged”

his freelance writing a big adjustment in and of itself.

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Another challenge was keeping Rachel’s relatives’ names straight in his mind, his in-laws as numerous as the sands of the sea. They consisted of nearly two hundred folk, counting Rachel’s parents, her aunts, uncles, grandparents, first cousins, and their spouses and children. Remembering which Amos Esh or John Zook was mar ried to which Mary Esh or Rebecca Zook was a significant feat. The People recycled their first names, frequently intermarrying, creating the obstacle of recalling both firstandlast names for the newcomer and former outsider. Which he would have been naive to think otherwise — was how some of the People still viewed him.

Even after two years of wholly following the Lord and working the soil, he won dered if some of the brethren might still be talking among themselves.Does Philip have staying power? Will he eventually throw in the towel, abandon the rigors of Plain life?they might ask, though discreetly. Especially one such soul.

Moses Raber.

The exceptionally tall, middle-aged car penter had a way of showing up when Philip least expected, overly scrutinizing, observing him.

To set the record straight, Philip had not

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entertained thoughts of leaving the corn munity, not once he’d vowed “to love and to cherish” Rachel, promising to raise her daughter, Annie, and now his own toddler, Gabriel, “in the fear and admonition of the Lord.” His new family was his very life, his purpose for living. God had picked up the pieces of his wandering soul, set him on a straight and narrow path, given him an un mistakable spring in his step. But, no matter the power of his original decision to unite with the People, the process had been far more difficult than he might have first thought upon falling in love with Ra chel. . and this tranquil piece of God’s green earth.

He had been fitting in fairly well, or at least he thought so, until the day John Zook’s barn was hit by lightning. After that, things went directly south in a New York minute.

Philip had been helping fill Rachel’s great-uncle Amos Yoder’s silo. A whole group of men were on hand, since Uncle Amos had suffered a fall a few days before and was laid up in bed with a bad hip, being nursed back to health by his faithful wife, Becky Ann.

The afternoon was balmy; the sweet scent of ripening apples hung in the air like

181the tantalizing promise of dessert after a meal. The men worked hard and fast, each with his straw hat secured on his head, hoping to beat the rains. (“Severe thunder storms,” the newspaper had forecast.)

“Looks like a storm a-brewin’,” Jacob Stoltzfus said, removing his hat and wiping his brow. Jacob was one of several Amish farmers helping fill the silo.

Pausing in his work, Philip noticed black clouds building in the northeast. “Maybe we should call it a day,” he suggested.

“Jah, best be headin’ home,” another farmer said. The others nodded silently.

“Tomorrow we’ll work again . bright and early.” Jacob frowned at the angry sky.

“Da Herr sei mit du ….the Lord be with you,” Philip called as the men headed to the barn to hitch up their horses to parked buggies. On foot as usual, he hadn’t learned to drive a horse-drawn buggy.

“Care for a ride?” Jacob asked while hitching up his horse.

“I’ll walk this time . . thanks anyway.” At the end of the lane, he headed north to ward Lavina Troyer’s sprawling farmhouse, where he and Rachel lived with their growing family in the larger main section. Lavina had been so kind to offer the resi dence, apparently more than ready to have

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the newlyweds move into her side of the house. She promptly moved to the smaller addition — the Dawdi Haus — where she now lived and cared for Adele Herr, their aging English friend, who had ties to the People.

When the first bolt of lightning triggereda snap,Philip was walking on the treelined road, headed for home. After a few more near misses, he decided to take cover in a nearby tobacco shed at the home of neigh bors Amos and Rose Mary Beiler.

Safe inside, he peered out between the boards in the shed. Jagged, unpredictable voltage plunged from the dark sky like the hand of God. A powerful wind came up, bending small trees and spinning windmills. Rachel, he knew, would be anxious for his return, so he crept out of the shed and sprinted the rest of the way, praying for God’s protection as one bolt of lightning after another zapped the ground.

Rachel was waiting at the back door, just as he expected. “Ach, ‘s’good to see my husband in one piece,” she greeted him.

Kissing her cheek, he assured her while in his strong embrace — that he was all right. “We don’t have lightning like this

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in New York,” he joked, going into the kitchen.

“Awful close, was it?”

Nodding, he engaged in a bit of small talk, then headed up the steps to change clothes. At the landing, he stopped and leaned over the banister. “Do I have time to shower before supper?” he asked.

She said he did. And at that instant a powerful lightning bolt burst to the ground outside the living room window, followed by an ear-piercing crack of thunder that shook the house. Annie shrieked with fright downstairs, and young Gabe began to howl.

Within minutes the loud dinner bell started ringing at John Zook’s farm, their neighbor to the south. It continued to toll, indicating an emergency. “Lightning must’ve hit the barn,” Philip told Rachel.

“I hope it’s not the house,” said Rachel, a concerned look on her pretty face. “Prob’ly it’s the barn on fire. If so, they’ll need help getting cattle and equipment out. Best go ‘n’ help save as much as possible.”

Having never assisted in a fire, Philip had no idea what he was getting into. He made a dash across the open field that led to Zook’s dairy farm. Surveying the men

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animals heading loudly. next.

acing sky, he hoped for rain.God has nat ural ways of putting out fires,he thought. But as he ran he saw in the near distance the ropes of smoke beginning to ascend heavenward as orange flames licked at the barn roof.