Lena went to the back door and down the shoveled steps to meet Rebekah, relieved to have something to occupy her troubled thoughts. Rebekah had brought along Henner’s Lydia, the children’s book that her granddaughter Emily had wanted her to read weeks ago.
Indoors, settling into the front room near the stove, Rebekah took one line at a time, doing as Lena had suggested the week before—Rebekah reading silently first, then reading aloud, albeit painfully slowly. Lena joined in as they repeated the same line again and again.
After a time, Lena proposed that Rebekah attempt to read with a bit more expression, if she felt comfortable trying. There were no puffy eyes this time and no tears in Rebekah’s voice, but she did set the book aside to say that a dear friend in her hometown had sent a pretty Christmas card and letter. “It sure makes me homesick,” Rebekah said, going on to mention how much she missed that community, as well as her family. “My husband’s buried there, too.” She said it so quietly, Lena nearly had to lean forward to catch the words.
“If he was still alive, he’d want me home,” Rebekah whispered as her chest rose and fell. Then, shaking her head, she added in the same soft voice, “It was such a complicated marriage.” She sighed and ran her hand over the cover of the book. “Ach, no need to tell you any of this.”
Feeling at a loss over how to respond, Lena said nothing and reached to cover Rebekah’s hand with her own.
She wished she were as bold and wise as Mimi and had something meaningful or even helpful to say to the woman. But no words or Scripture verses came to mind. All she could think to do was offer a silent prayer for her friend.
O Lord, comfort Rebekah, and grant her peace.
Harley could see that the sky to the north was almost clear of clouds, and because of it, he felt a lift in his spirit as he helped Mimi and Lena into the family carriage.
“Our grandchildren will be thrilled you’re goin’ to see them in this year’s school play,” Mimi told him as he picked up the driving lines. “All of Aaron and Caleb’s school-age children are in it, and Ada’s Johnny and Ada Mae, too.”
Lena sat quietly in the back, and Harley wondered if hearing Mimi talk so would make her all the more homesick. For that reason, he didn’t comment, though he could see how very excited his wife was about going to the schoolhouse for the annual event. Mimi had faithfully attended each and every Christmas program since their first child was in school.
When they arrived, Harley waved at Aaron, his eldest, and his wife, Sadie Ann, as well as their four children, now climbing out of the buggy. “Hullo! Real nice day for the play, jah?” he called as he went around to help Mimi and Lena down.
“I was kinda hopin’ we’d get more snow,” Aaron said, shifting his black felt hat.
Harley chuckled at that. “Ach, there’s been no shortage of that this year. Seems like I’m always out shovelin’.”
“Dat says we’re gonna have a white Christmas,” said Aaron’s youngest boy, Levi, as he came around the carriage and stood beside his father.
Harley gave a nod. “Say, I hear there are candy canes for everyone at the program.” He winked at his grandson.
Levi’s eyes grew wide, and he glanced up at his father for confirmation.
Laughing, Aaron patted his shoulder. “We’ll have to see about that, son.” He turned to Harley again and added, “We’re lookin’ forward to having Christmas dinner with yous.”
“Your mother’s tickled pink ’bout it,” Harley said, nodding at Mimi.
“That’s for certain,” Mimi said with a smile and a hug for Levi. “I’m bakin’ a real big ham,” she said. “There’ll be plenty for everyone.”
“We’ll see ya inside,” Harley said with a glance at Lena, hoping that the sight of all these youngsters would boost her spirits.
———
During the play, when the scholars lined up at the front of the large classroom in front of the chalkboard and began to sing carols, Lena’s memories flew back to her siblings’ school programs.
The Amish teacher and her assistant motioned for everyone to join in singing, and Lena’s mouth went so dry that she could only mouth the words. It was all she could do to keep her emotions intact, so acutely aware was she of not being able to see her brothers and sisters perform the Nativity back home.
Lena took a deep breath, wishing to sing along with the others. This special program was one of the highlights of the Christmas season, and she wanted to enjoy it and appreciate the heavenly Gift that had inspired it.
Spotting Harley and Mimi’s grandchildren sprinkled throughout the scholars, Lena watched their joyful little faces, the way they opened their mouths wide to sing, eyes shining with happiness. Observing them and eventually joining in was the best remedy she could find for getting over the surges of sadness that had a way of sweeping over her when she least expected. Some days, she would start to think she was all right, and then this would happen. Today, however, it was worse than usual, because she knew that her younger siblings were likely singing some of the same songs and saying some of the same recitations this very day.
And I’m not there to witness it.
Lena was surprised when, late that afternoon, Mimi urged her to carol with the youth that evening. “I daresay you’ve already baked plenty of pies and cookies for our Christmas dinner,” Mimi said as she wiped her brow with the back of her hand.
“Are ya sure?” Lena asked, quickly doing another count of the dozens of cookies. “There’ll be lots of people at the table. We’ll want to have enough.”
Mimi nodded and reminded her that Ada and Tessa planned to
