ONE YEAR LATER . . .
Dear Ethan,
It’s been awhile since I’ve written, but I’ve been busy in my new life. And, Ethan, I’m so happy. I’m finally “home,” and I have the big family I’ve dreamed of. Our lenient bishop here in our district allowed Annie and Jacob to get married outside of the normal fall season, and Daniel and I got married a month later in July. Both were beautiful and blessed events. I wish you could have been here.
Ethan, your house has provided refuge for Janell, me, and now it shelters Andrea and Bella. I bet you could have never guessed when you purchased the small house that your family would be making such good use of it. Andrea has turned her jewelry making into a nice business, and she’s able to support herself. And I’m happy to report that she has been dating a nice young man who works with me at the newspaper. He’s a handsome Christian fellow who has been really good for her. She attends his church on Sundays, and occasionally she goes with me to church but dislikes that the Amish service is three hours long. And the first thing our sister did when she’d saved enough money was to put electricity in the house. We bake cakes and bread often together, and it warms my heart to see her making such a good home for Bella.
As for me, I’m living with Daniel at his parents’ house, along with Annie and Jacob. Daniel was able to get Jacob a job with him, building storage sheds, and Daniel often says Jacob runs circles around him. Jacob has grown and matured into a fine young man and a hard worker.
Daniel is building a house for us on the property, and Jacob is refurbishing the daadi haus on the back acreage. Neither Lucas nor Eve’s parents ever utilized the house, but Lucas wants to make it his home eventually. Annie and Jacob will keep the big house. They need the room! Annie is pregnant with twins and has also assumed the maternal role of her sister, Gracie. Lucas adores his younger daughter, but he has slipped into more of a grandfatherly role with her. So, for now, we are one big happy family enjoying God’s abundant blessings.
Lena left us not long after Easter. She missed the birth of Hannah and Isaac’s baby boy, but I feel sure she was watching and smiling from heaven. There are still days that I miss Lena terribly, longing to sit at her kitchen table sipping coffee, eating buttered bread, and having long talks. But even though I miss her so much, I’m forever grateful to her for showing me motherly love, in a way I hope to pass on to my own kinner. It’s hard to stay down for long with all the happiness and new life around us.
Speaking of new life, guess who else is having a baby? Ya, that would be me, and Daniel and I are thrilled beyond words.
I miss you so much, Ethan. I think about you every time I see a butterfly and when I wade in Pequea Creek on a sunny day. You are on my mind as I watch Bella grow into a beautiful little girl. She has your eyes. But I will see you again when I make my final trip home someday.
Love you to heaven and
back again,
Char