Chapter Eighty Eight

This meal is delicious, Henry,” said Father Engelmann as he took another mouthful of the Chicken Parmesan.

Father sat in between Jenny and Henry who sat at each end of the table in Henry’s sun room on the farm.

“I have to admit, Honey, this is delicious. And I love the texture of the rice. It’s so nice and fluffy rather than sticky like mine usually turns out to be.”

“It’s all in the technique,” Henry winked.

“I was surprised to learn that you were still at the prayer house, Father. There is so much snow in the valley.”

“If it wasn’t for Henry’s skidoo, I wouldn’t be able to get out, like today, for example. But I enjoy it just as much in winter as the other seasons. Winter has such a pristine quality; so clean and fresh and the moonlight sparkling off the snow at night is heavenly.”

“I have to agree. When I lived on the estate, walking in the garden covered with snow was so wonderful. I tried to guess which flowers were hidden just below the white, glistening cover,” said Jenny.

“How are you coming along with your writing, Father?” Henry wanted to know.

Jenny’s eyes instantly brightened and sparkled. “Yes, yes, Henry told me you were writing a love story, Father! That’s amazing. Who is it about?”

Father’s lips curled at each end and grew into a smile. “Oh, it’s a love story that involves both of you and also about life and how we choose to live it.”

“About us, you mean? Henry and me?”

Father nodded and kept eating.

“And it’s a love story…?”

“Yes, Jenny. I know that may surprise you. It did me as well when Zachariah asked that task of me. I am surprised how much I enjoy writing and how easily the words and thoughts come to me. Sometimes, thoughts of my Anna generate pages and pages of writing. Sometimes thoughts of you and Henry fill the book with such love my heart rejoices. And sometimes, my guardian angel and the Holy Spirit inspire me with the wisdom and truths of Jesus’ teachings to such depths my eyes are filled with tears of gratitude; I can no longer see the pages. At times, as the day comes to an end, I am astounded even more than you as to what came to life on the pages.”

Father looked at Jenny and added, “It’s another miracle, Jenny. That is all I can say.”

Henry and Jenny gazed at Father in awe over what he just said. A silent hush fell over the room.

“I noticed you titled the book, Pewter Angels. Is there another book or just the one?” asked Henry, as he held a mouthful of food on the end of his fork.

“Yes, it will be a series of books. I am nearing the completion of the second book and there is still much to say.”

“Have you decided on the name of the second book, yet?” Jenny was at the edge of her seat.

“Another Angel of Love,” replied Father.

“That’s a beautiful name… how did you come up with it?” Jenny wanted to know.

“The title is supposed to capture what the story is mainly about. The name came to me in a dream. When I awoke in the morning that was the first thought I had. I just nodded and said, “Yes, Zachariah, that is good.”

Henry was intrigued with the name. It stirred a memory of the time when they sat in the back storage room of the grocery store… Father, or rather, Mr. Engelmann, at the time, explained what God’s divine providence was. He had said a prayer at the conclusion of their talk, which Henry recalled to this very day… “Together we ask that You will provide a sign to Henry that will put his heart at peace in his relationship with Julean; that she is another angel of love…” Yes, that’s what he had said. Henry wondered if there was any connection to the title of Father’s second book.

Father swallowed the last of his food and sat back. “That was a wonderful meal, Henry. After one fasts for several days, food has more flavour and every mouthful such a blessing.”

A silence fell as the last light of day slipped behind the hills and darkness moved swiftly across the valley. The candle in the middle of the table seemed to know and grew more brightly in response. A feeling of warmth and peace permeated the air in the room.

“It is good to have you back home, Jenny. Henry tells me your trip to Ottawa was very worthwhile and rewarding?”

“It was very good, Father, I am so happy that I followed Jesus’ will in the matter. I would never have known just how powerfully God works in our lives to bring us home. The transformation in James was truly miraculous.”

“Your presence, Jenny, was needed to lead your husband home. You were a light reflecting Jesus.”

Jenny recalled James last words, I see God more in you than anything I have read in the Bible. Jenny was going to comment on this when Henry shared much of what she was going to say.

“Yes, I remember so many times Father,” concurred Henry, “you saying how important we are to one another in our words, deeds and actions, which can either lead others to Christ or away from Him.”

Father nodded. “If we only realized our tremendous responsibility and purpose to be beacons of light. As Jenny so beautifully stated in her sharing on suffering that day, Jesus asks us to help Him in continuing the redemption of mankind. We can never underestimate how one act of kindness and compassion affects another who in turn passes it on. The repercussions can be mind boggling and even result in saving another’s soul.”

“You know, Father, I think I have to agree with the Church’s position on divorce. Initially, it upset me. And yet it is based on what Jesus’ said. We do make a vow before God to love and honour in good and bad times until death do us part. There may be instances when separation is definitely required but in most cases it’s a matter of dying to oneself, maturing and taking responsibility for your life.” Henry nodded, “Father and I spoke of this a few months back; dying to oneself and caring more for the happiness of the other is key to making a marriage work.”

Jenny looked at Henry and then at Father. Her eyes seemed to redden, “You know, when Henry and his family came to Ottawa I was so happy to see Henry and yet his presence made me nervous. I wasn’t sure how to be dealing with James at the same time…and yet, everything just seemed to be so natural…”

Jenny paused and looked tenderly at Henry, “Although you were there, you accepted the situation unconditionally and allowed me to just go with the moments as they came. I felt free to be myself, Henry, as if you were ready to accept whatever happened.”

Jenny softly whispered, “Thank you.”

Henry’s blurry eyes returned the tender gaze.

“Yes, when Jesus is at the centre of our relationships and in our lives, all things are possible,” added Father.

Jenny turned to Father, “That’s so true. I was so amazed to see James change before my eyes and he even started to read the Bible! I could see the Holy Spirit working so powerfully in his life.”

“It is faith-building to witness the power of Lord work in our and others’ lives. You mentioned earlier that you also witnessed this in your son’s life and have reconciled with him.”

“Yes! It happened so suddenly. I think James’ mother had something to do with it, but it just confirms how God works through us to resolve conflicts and restore love… It’s amazing. I’m certain, too, that James’ changing and trying so hard to be a father toward the end strongly influenced J.J. as well.”

Jenny paused for a moment and her eyes brightened, “And I couldn’t believe it when Camilla came and met J.J. It was all so incredible how in a matter of a few weeks such harmony and peace prevailed between us all! See, I was meant to go. If I hadn’t, none of this would have happened. All I can say is praise God. I can hardly wait till spring to fill my Angel of Thanksgiving basket with flowers of thanks.”

Father reached over and patted Jenny’s hand resting beside her plate. “The Lord is very pleased with you, Jenny. Despite a one sided marriage, you have brought a family back together. It is so beautiful if each partner accepts the other and a home is a place of love and security. In all too many homes, unfortunately this is not the case as it was in yours—”

“That is why I want to start a women’s group of some kind! When I was on the estate, I felt so alone at times. I’m sure other women are searching for companionship and help in dealing with all the challenges we face in our families, marriages, loving and accepting one another, developing our spiritual lives…” Jenny’s words trailed off. She shrugged her shoulders, tilted her head, smiled and then added, “I feel called in this way…”

“See, the Lord has been preparing you, Jenny. More than ever this kind of support in the community is needed. This is a wonderful idea—”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Henry interjected. Looking directly into Jenny’s eyes, he added, “You mentioned this before, Jenny. And now that you’re back home, it would be great for you to pursue developing such a group. You are such a good role model and could be so helpful in rebuilding marriages, offering insights and learning from the experiences of other women, as well.”

“Yes, that’s right. We can be there for one another… and, yes, now that I’m home, I think I will start exploring what is out there…” Jenny wriggled in her chair and added, “I’m so excited to start!”

After tea, Father asked if Henry could drive him back to the Poustinia. It was past his bed time and he had many prayers to say.

It was a calm February evening. The sky was clear and a full moon hung low in the heavens. Henry sat up front on the skidoo, Jenny right behind with her arms wrapped around Henry and Father sat perched at the end of the long touring snowmobile. Father gripped the side rails beside his seat as Henry started the motor and pressed the accelerator.

As soon as the dogs heard the revving of the motor they were out of their doghouse in a flash. Henry flicked on the lights and slowly moved forward. Ginger and Coco knew where Henry was heading and ran towards the road that would take them down the hill to the Poustinia.

It was different driving at night and more caution was needed. Henry felt Jenny squeeze his waist as the skidoo began to descend around the hill. It was too dark to see the bottom of the gorge but Henry stayed well clear of the edge of the road that dropped off. Soon they were at the bottom and gently sliding over the rolling drifts of snow. The tracks made by the skidoo earlier when Henry picked Father up were hidden underneath fresh fallen snow. It looked like a winter wonderland.

Henry turned off the motor as soon as he stopped by the deck. Father got off first, then Jenny and last, Henry. They stood on the deck and looked out over the sparkling valley. Each snow flake seemed to glisten like a diamond. Jenny wrapped her arms around Henry, “This is so beautiful… no wonder you love it here, Father.”

“Yes, truly a paradise. Well, my dear children, I must get ready for prayers and bed. I have a lot to do. Thank you for that wonderful dinner, and evening, Henry. It will be hard to fast after that. Oh well, just the discipline I need…”

Father hugged Jenny and then Henry. He made his way to the door and turned on the interior light. “Good night,” Father said, just before he closed the door.

Jenny and Henry turned and looked out at the valley before them again. Suddenly, the light cast by the prayer house went off. Henry turned to see just the dim glow of a candle inside.

Just as suddenly, the heavens seemed to blossom with millions more stars. Henry and Jenny squeezed each other ever more tenderly.

“We were out there somewhere spinning around with our angels, Henry. It seems like it was all a dream. I wish we had memory of seeing our angels, like Father does. I am starting to dream more about that… I see us holding hands and spinning around somehow… it’s still so vague…”

“It’s all so incredibly amazing… not only our dying, our guardian angels and returning back to life on earth, but just the magnitude and wonderment of it all… Human beings with the gift of sight, hearing and touch, love… it’s all so overwhelming and to think the universe has no beginning or end. Our conception of God is so limited and restricted by our finite minds…” Henry’s words trailed off.

“In moments like this, it’s easy to sense the divine nature of God in everything; so huge, magnanimous, almighty…so utterly overwhelming.”

Coco nudged Henry’s hand which was hanging loosely at his side. It startled him. He patted his friend.

“I wonder if Julean and James are looking down on us?”

“I wonder about that, too, Jenny. So often I feel her presence.”

“That’s good. That’s how it should be. Our loved ones are always a part of us, even though we feel a void when they go.”

“That’s another thing, our memory and how we can retain the past and bring it to life to help ease the sorrow of their passing…”

“And the power to choose our thoughts… to remember the loving thoughts and to let go of the others,” added Jenny.

“Yes, only when love is present is it real and touches God’s heart… everything else is just our earthly thinking, for better or worse…”

“Oh, my gosh! How did we get so philosophical and lofty all of a sudden?”

“It’s moments like this, Jenny, when I realize we are all at one with the Divine.”