The talking died down to a murmur, then ceased altogether.
“It’s nice seein’ all of yous here today. We have the opportunity to honor someone who has come to mean so much to us all.”
Lena smiled over at Rebekah, who smiled back at her. How sweet to have found love after all the dear woman’s been through, she thought.
Harley continued to talk. “I’m sure ya can agree that she has become like a daughter to Mimi and me, and much more than a friend to our community. . . .”
Lena resisted the impulse to raise her eyebrows. More like a mother, he surely means.
Harley motioned to someone, who brought him the hat brimful with envelopes.
This is odd, Lena thought.
Then Harley turned to Lena’s table and looked directly at her. “This here’s just a small token of our love for ya, Lena Rose.”
What on earth?
Harley walked over and placed the upturned straw hat in front of her. And she frowned, ever so confused.
“This’ll help ya remember us,” he said, a big smile on his ruddy face.
Lena was so surprised she could scarcely breathe.
“You have your friend Rebekah to thank.” Harley pointed to Rebekah, who had returned to sit at the next table over with Cora Ruth and Fannie Smucker, Lydia’s mother. “All of us pray you’ll go with God, Lena Rose.”
Touched at their loving gesture, Lena put her hand on her chest and shook her head. “I hardly know what to say. Denki to everyone.” Lena rose and saw the large gathering . . . all of them looking her way. And Arden smiled at the perimeter, arms folded as he stood there with Eli.
She caught Harley’s eye where he’d returned to sit with Aaron and his other sons. How could she forget the times he’d dropped everything to drive her places? And there was Mimi, eyes shining . . . oh, all the heart-to-heart talks they’d enjoyed! Looking then at Lydia, Lena was sincerely grateful for such a friend. Like a close sister.
Truly, there were so many people here she had come to care for: wise old Solomon, as his father had so astutely named him; and Preacher Elam King, whose sermon her very first Preaching service there had brought tears to Lena’s eyes.
And little Levi, Aaron and Sadie Ann’s youngest, sat on one of the quilts with his older sisters—the little boy who’d fallen for Solomon’s Christmas story about the shrunken pony.
So many wunnerbaar-gut friends, she thought, her heart full. “I’ll never, ever forget your kindness to me,” Lena said. “Not just today, but on all the days I’ve spent here in beautiful Leacock Township.”
Now everyone was clapping, and Rebekah hurried over and whispered in her ear, “Look at all those cards and notes! You’ll have plenty of reading material for the journey home.”
Lena gave her a hug. “Ain’t you somethin’!”
A line began to form then, the men coming to shake Lena’s hand, and the womenfolk hugging her neck. Lydia’s tears threatened to spill over, and Tessa gave Lena a gentle embrace as little Joey crawled over to Lena and wanted to be picked up. She reached down for him, cuddling Joey for a moment before he wiggled, wanting down again.
Later, when the visiting ended in time for afternoon milking, Lena helped Mimi clean up the kitchen. “Well, I have to admit you took me completely off guard with that picnic. And here I thought James and Rebekah were going to tie the knot in some informal sort of wedding!”
“You really thought that?” Mimi looked surprised as she dried her hands on the kitchen towel. “Nee, this was always gonna be your day, Lena Rose.”
“I don’t know how to repay ya.”
Mimi shook her head. “That’s the beauty of giving . . . and you’ve certainly done just that from the moment you arrived.” She smiled and suggested that Lena take the brimming straw hat upstairs to read the cards in private.
Lena felt quite humbled and almost shy. “You all kept it such a secret.”
“Oh, we tried.” Then Mimi added, “And lest I forget, Eli offered to accompany you to the bus depot when it’s time.” She paused. “No rush on our end, I hope ya know.”
“So nice of him, but there’s no need, really.” I came here on my own; I can manage, she thought. “I’ll be sure to thank him, though.”
“Let me know what ya need as far as packing . . . or whatever else.”
To think she was actually leaving—Lena’s head was whirling with the knowledge. Assuming Clara Yoder had kept it a secret, Lena would arrive in Centreville even before her siblings heard the news. What a grand surprise!
With that wondrous thought, Lena headed upstairs with Harley’s full straw hat, still amazed at this lovely turn of events.
Before opening the envelopes, Lena placed the hat on the bed and knelt down. Folding her hands against the bed quilt, she remembered what Solomon had said back months ago. “No one but Gott knows our comin’s and goin’s from one day to the next.” He had also encouraged her to give her worries to the Lord, she recalled.
Uncle Solomon was right, she thought, bowing her head to give thanks.
She lingered there after her prayer was finished, pondering how often Mimi offered gratitude to God. I’ll remember to do the same.
When she rose, she dumped the contents of the hat onto the bed—it was soon apparent that everyone had brought a card or letter.
There were pretty homemade cards from Lydia and Rebekah, and one especially thoughtful note from Tessa, who assured Lena not to worry about Mimi working alone—I plan to sew alongside Mamm again like before I got married. Manny thinks it’s a good idea, and besides, it’ll be nice for Mamm—well, for both of us. But we’ll miss you, Lena Rose!
Lena wiped away a tear, thinking how far she’d come with Tessa. Then, reaching for the next card, she recognized Arden Mast’s handwriting.
Dear Lena Rose,
I hope you enjoyed your special picnic. Harley and Mimi are far better at keeping secrets than
