The month of May seemed to have no more than just started when Elsie woke up one morning beside a snoring Ike and realized the month was almost over. Where did the time go? Over four weeks since Sarah and Arnold left, and no word from them yet. Please let them be safe and happy, she offered a brief prayer before rolling over and shoving her legs from the covers.
It was early still, the pale pearl of sky telling her dawn wasn’t far off. The sun came early and set late at this time of year. Good for offering long hours of daylight for planting and other chores, but hard on getting enough sleep.
Elsie yawned and stretched. The older she got, the harder it seemed to keep up with the steady stream of duties and chores. She blessed the fact Agnes and Walter lived with them and considerably lightened her load. Ike sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes. She regarded him in the mirror of the dresser while gathering her clothes for the day. Iron grey hair spiked with sleep stuck up on the crown of his head.
He wasn’t getting any younger, either, Elsie realized with a jolt. The years of their union spread out between them, odd and disjointed images flashed across her mind. Happy and sad mixed together, and she wouldn’t change any of them. A pang of sorrow speared her heart, well maybe a couple. Sarah’s troubles, and the blizzard that took Anna, for a start. Still, it was a good life they’d had.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Ike’s reflection frowned at her as he got out of bed.
“Just remembering. Just remembering.” She patted her hair into place and secured it with some hair pins. Smoothing her skirt, she turned toward him with a smile. “Don’t be long, I’ll have coffee on and breakfast started by the time you get down.”
Ike grunted and stumped over to the wash basin. “I’ll be down as soon as I’ve dressed.”
Agnes was already in the kitchen when Elsie came through the door. The newly risen sun shone hot and red through the open back door. The room was already hot and humid. This time of year it seemed the heat never ended, the nights almost as sultry as the days. In many ways the weather sometimes reminded Elsie of the heat of Paraguay. It wasn’t a pleasant memory to be sure.
“I’ve started the stove in the summer kitchen for breakfast. No sense making the house any hotter than it is. I just came in to fill the sugar container.” Agnes lifted the clear glass canister to emphasis her words.
“It is warm already, isn’t it?” Elsie swiped at a bead of sweat trickling down her cheek. “Do we have everything else we need out there?”
“I believe so, Mome. Can you take this out for me? I need to tend to the twins. Walter’s already out doing the milking.”
“Of course.” Elsie took the canister of sugar. “Walter’s got an early start today.”
“Well, you know how it is this time of year. Even with the long days there never seems to be enough hours to get done what needs doing.”
Chuckling, Elsie pushed open the screen door, the scent of the pansies and geraniums lining the short path to the summer kitchen redolent in the sun spangled air. The mosquitoes hovered in the shadows along the way, but were thankfully avoiding the already strong sunlight. A few steps brought her to the door of the small building. Colourful curtains hung at the windows, the glass clear and sparkling. Checkered oilcloth covered the wooden table. Elsie set the sugar on the shelf with the other supplies and checked the fire in the stove. Satisfied it was well caught, she scooped some water out of the big cauldron kettle on the side of the stove and started the coffee. By the time Ike arrived, Walter was back from the milking. The voices of Agnes and the twins heralded their arrival.
Bacon she’d sliced from the side in the ice box sizzled in the fry pan scenting the air with its smoky fragrance. Toast lay in a napkin covered basket in the centre of the table, along with a butter dish covered against the flies. No matter how carefully the screens were mended the flies always seemed to be able to find a way in. Idly, she shooed one away from the jar of jam beside Ike’s plate.
Breakfast was over quickly and the twins sent off to look for eggs in the new hen house. Agnes left Elsie to wash up while she went out to start weeding the large garden. It was a never ending task, she thought watching her daughter’s back bent in the relentless sunlight. When the dishes were done, she turned her hand to separating the morning’s milking, pouring the thick rich cream into cream cans. There was butter to be churned once this task was done and the majority of the milk to be put away in the cool milk house. Ike or Walter would make the trip to New Bothwell with the surplus milk to be delivered to the cheese factory.
* * *
The family gathered for the evening meal in the summer kitchen. The sun was still high in the sky and the men were planning to be back out on the land once their bellies were filled. The twins were quarrelling, cranky from the heat and being tired. It was a chore to get to sleep when the sky was still light and the upstairs of the house was like an oven in spite of the windows being opened to create a cross breeze and catch whatever coolness was available. The high pitched song of cicadas rang across the now shaded garden. Please don’t let the grasshoppers come through this year, Elsie prayed. The insects could strip a field bare in a matter of hours once they descended, and short of firing the crop, there was nothing to be done. Either way, the crop was lost.
“I’m going to take the twins down to the creek to cool off. Do you want to come with us?” Agnes folded the dish towel and hung it on the rack to dry.
“That sounds wonderful, but Sadie is coming over to study her catechism. She’s having issues with a few things,” Elsie replied hanging up her own damp towel.
“Why?” Agnes leaned a hip on the counter. “She not questioning the faith is she? I can’t imagine that.”
“No, I think it’s more the other way. She doesn’t feel the pastor really cares about her personal thoughts, only that she knows the answers to his questions by rote.”
“I guess I can understand that,” Agnes replied.
“I keep telling her to focus on the fact she needs to know her catechism and be baptized before they get married so they can forge their new lives based on a spiritual foundation. And the girl does want to be married very badly.” Elsie moved toward the door. “I’m going to go get my Bible before she gets here. I think we’ll sit out under the big trees if the mosquitoes aren’t too vicious.”
“All done here. I’m off to take the twins for a paddle. We’ll be back soon.” Agnes let Elsie precede her and pulled the screen door shut behind them, catching the hook in the latch. Otherwise the dogs would be in there in a flash.
Elsie went into the main house, passing through the kitchen she carried on to the living room and picked up her well-worn Bible from the small table by her chair. With it tucked under her arm she went back out to sit under the shade of the Manitoba maples and wait for Sadie. A flash of yellow caught her eye just before Sadie joined her on the wide bench.
“Am I late? I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.” Sadie was a bit breathless. “Abram gave me a ride over, he had to stop at Onkel Jake’s to pick up that wheel spanner thing Grosspape wants to borrow. I left them working on the old truck over by the barn.”
“No, not late. I just got here myself. So,” Elsie settled more comfortably on the bench, “have you been studying?”
“I have.” Sadie nodded, a small furrow of concern marring her smooth brow.
“What’s bothering you?” Elsie patted her granddaughter’s hand. “Still the same thing?”
“I can’t help it. It just seems like the pastor isn’t concerned about whether I actually believe what I’m saying, only that I can repeat the information back to him word for word.”
“Do you believe?” Elsie waited for Sadie to answer.
“Of course, I do,” Sadie declared.
“That is what matters. It is between you and God, Sadie. I’m sure the pastor is concerned with your faith, but your relationship with God is a personal thing. Do you remember that verse in the Bible where Jesus speaks about belief to Thomas the doubter? John Twenty Verse twenty-nine Jesus said Thomas, because thou has seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. A person’s choice to believe or not is a personal one and one that cannot be forced and should not be. If the love of the Lord and His Word is not in a person’s heart, then they are only mouthing empty words. Your love of Him shines in you, and you have always been dutiful and sincere in your worship and in how you live your life. Now, shall we get started?”
“Thanks, Oma. You always know what to say to make me feel better.” Sadie leaned across and hugged Elsie.
“Now, where can the church of God be found?” Elsie laid her Bible open in her lap.
Sadie folded her hands in her lap and dropped her head. “The church can be found around the globe. Mathew 18:20 Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
“Good. Why is it important that Mennonites adhere to the teachings and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation?”
Sadie cleared her throat. “It is important that we keep to the traditional ways. We should not follow the ideals of the world rather than those of God. Do no harm is an important tenet of our faith which is why our men can’t serve in the military. We must teach our children in our own language in our schools so the heritage won’t be lost. Language is an integral part of our faith.”
Elsie nodded. “What is the first article of faith?”
Sadie was quiet for a moment, pleating a fold of her skirt between her fingers. She looked up at Elsie. “God is the Creator of all things. We believe that God created heaven and earth and all things visible and invisible as it is written in Genesis One. He sustains, rules over, and keeps all things in motion with His Almighty word. He is a holy and mysterious Spirit. John Chapter Four, Verse twenty-four, and Acts Chapter Eleven, Verse twenty-five.”
“Go on,” Elsie encouraged.
“He alone is God and all of mankind will one day kneel before Him. We should abide in our Lord and God with a living and everlasting faith,” she paused and took a breath, “we should be obedient to Him, love Him and serve Him with our whole heart and soul and mind. The third Psalm , Verse nine, Isaiah Chapter Forty-five Verse twenty-three to twenty-four and Mathew Chapter Twenty-two.”
“Well done, Sadie. Now the second article?”
“Jesus is the Son of God. We believe Jesus Christ, who is called the Word and has been with God since the beginning, is the true Son of God. Colossians Chapter one verse sixteen and Ephesians Chapter three verse nine. There is no other salvation by which we can be saved. I confess that he is the true God, and the eternal life, my own Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, and our salvation. John Chapter Twenty and Acts Chapter Four Verse twelve.”
Elsie tapped the Bible with her finger. “And the third article?”
Sadie took a deep breath and released it before replying. “The Holy Spirit. I believe in the Holy Spirit, ‘the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father. The Holy Spirit leads us in all truth, and all He guides are His children. John Fifteen and Luke Twenty-four.” Without waiting for Elsie to prompt her, Sadie plunged on. “The fourth article of faith is the Holy Trinity. I believe that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are one almighty and sovereign God.”
“Very good, you’ve been practicing a lot since last time.” Elsie smiled in approval.
“Oh, I have. I want to be baptised and able to marry Corny as soon as possible. It’s only a little time before we leave for Paraguay.”
Her words cast a pall over Elsie’s heart although she took care not to let it show and dampen the brilliant joy on Sadie’s face. She cleared her throat. “The fifth article of faith?”
The younger woman opened her mouth and then closed it, an expression consternation on her pretty face. “The Church of God…? No, that’s not right. I can’t remember.” Frustration coloured her voice.
“The Birth,” Elsie prompted.
Sadie’s face lit up. “The Birth of Jesus Christ. I remember now.” She sighed in relief. “I believe, as the entirety of the Scriptures testifies, that Jesus Christ came from eternity with God, and was born of God. At the preordained time chosen for the salvation of the world, God sent his Son, conceived through the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. Isaiah Chapter Seven Verse fourteen and Luke Chapter One Verse thirty-five. He came from heaven to earth as God in human form. First Corinthians Chapter Fifteen, John Chapter One, John Chapter Six and Timothy Chapter Three Verse sixteen. Jesus was pure and without sin. Hebrews Four. He remained the true God and human in one entity and has saved us through His sacrificial blood, His suffering and His death on the cross. Only through belief in Jesus do we attain heaven. Colossians Chapter Two Verse one, First Corinthians Chapter One Verse thirty and Philippians Chapter Two Verses ten to eleven.
“Next is The Church of God,” Sadie continued. “We believe that God has had, from the very beginning, a visible church or people, whom He loves. Acts Chapter One.”
“Teachers and Servants of the church?” Elsie prompted her to go on.
Sadie nodded, more confident now. “Teachers and servants of the church. We believe the Lord Jesus has ordained shepherds, teachers and deacons to lead the church of God with exemplary teaching and conduct. Mathew Ten and Second Timothy Chapter Two Verse one.” She paused. “The Holy Baptism. We believe Jesus Christ instituted baptism upon confession of faith. Mathew Twenty-eight and Mark Sixteen. The Lord’s Supper. We believe our Lord Jesus ordained a communion of bread and wine for his followers in remembrance of His great innocence, suffering and death, done for sinful mankind. It was out of His true love that He allowed Himself to be sacrificed on the cross and gave His life as a willing Lamb to carry the sins of the world. First John Chapter One and Colossians Chapter One.”
“You have been studying,” Elsie declared. “Do you want to take a break? I can go bring some lemonade from the house.”
“Let me do it. I need to stretch my legs.” Sadie rose with fluid grace. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
Elsie watched the tall slim young woman cross the shade and sunlight spangled grass. She got up herself and arched her back, holding the heels of her hands to the small of her back. The achiness and twinges of pain were the result of weeding and transferring the tomato plants from the cold frames to the garden. Things she’d been doing for years and now gradually the small tasks were becoming more and more arduous. Old age creeping up on her, she supposed. Elsie held her hands out in front of her, the wrists were slim, the fingers tapered and pleasing to look at still. She ran her hands over her waist and hips, still trim and only a tiny bit larger than when she was a younger woman. It pleased her to realize she had aged well and kept her looks intact over the years.
“Here we are, Oma.” Sadie returned with two glasses of lemonade. “I didn’t bring the pitcher in case the sweetness attracted the flies.” She handed Elsie a glass and sat down on the bench.
Elsie joined her and they sat sipping companionably for a few minutes while the birds sang and flitted through the spreading branches overhead. Wiping the condensation from the glass with a handkerchief, Elsie set the glass down beside her.
“Shall we carry on? Agnes will be back from the creek with the twins any time now.”
“Of course. The Washing of Feet is next, right?” Sadie asked.
Elsie nodded.
“The Washing of Feet. We believe the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savour, lay his robe aside and washed His disciples’ feet as a symbol of servanthood, whereby, He saved us and purified us from all sins. Therefore, as His followers, we should also serve one another with the same humility and love. John Thirteen.” She stopped and grinned. “Now, the one closest to my heart at the moment. Marriage. We believe God ordained marriage when He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and blessed them. Jesus also spoke various words regarding marriage. Genesis Chapter One Verse twenty-eight, Mathew Nineteen, First Corinthians Chapter Seven Verse thrity-nine, First Timothy Chapter Two Verse fifteen and Mathew Chapter Nineteen Verse six.
“The next one is a little dry, and I can see also how it may have gotten us Mennonites into tight situations in the past. But we have to stay true to the Word of God. Am I right, Oma?” Sadie raised an eyebrow in question.
Elsie nodded. “Yes, we must stay true to the tenets of our faith, even when that means going against government wishes and laws. We follow only God’s laws. Go on.”
Sadie frowned and thought for a moment, taking a sip of her drink. “The Government and Authority. We believe God has ordained the government and placed it in power, and all that oppose the government also oppose God’s ordination. However, in matters that go against the scriptures, we are to obey God rather than men. First Peter Two Verse fourteen, Romans Thirteen Verse four and Acts Five Verse twenty-nine.
“It’s kind of conflicted isn’t it? We need to obey the government, but then, only if their laws don’t contravene our beliefs and faith.”
“I agree. It does kind of say two things at once, but what we must remember is that, as Mennonites, we must always follow the Word of God and God’s laws.”
“Yes, Oma. I just had to puzzle over it for a while to come to truly understand what it was saying. Okay. Now. Revenge, Enmity and Non-resistance.”
“Yes,” Elsie prompted her. “Go on. We’re almost done.”
“Revenge, Enmity and Non-resistance. We believe Christians who have died to the world and were born again in God should not exercise revenge, but repay their enemies good for evil. Matthew Five Verse thirty-eight and Romans Twelve Verse nineteen to twenty-one.”
“The last one?” Elsie asked.
“Man’s Freewill.” Sadie nodded decisively. “We believe everyone has free will with which to choose between good and evil and death or life in Christ, for him or herself. Deuteronomy Chapter Thirty Verse fifteen and Jeremiah Chapter Twenty-one Verse eight. God will judge the world. The righteous will be rewarded and the unrighteous, who have not accepted Christ, will perish eternally. Titus Chapter Two Verse twelve and Matthew Twenty-five.”
“Very good, Sadie. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble when the pastor quizzes you.”
“There might be another question, one they asked your mother when it was her turn. ‘Is it necessary, then, to be born again, to be a true Christian?” Do you know how to answer that one?”
“I think so. Yes, without regeneration no one can see the kingdom of God. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that answer should do nicely.” Elsie patted her hand.
“Thanks, Oma. Oh, I hear the twins!” She laughed and got up to turn toward the house.
Elsie stood up as well gathering up the lemonade glasses. Agnes and the wet bedraggled twins came into sight through the gap in the caragana hedge. It was a pretty picture, Elsie thought, the bushes just starting to go golden with blossoms and the sun highlighting the shining faces flush with youth energy and happiness. “Oh, the innocence of childhood,” she whispered too low for anyone to hear.
“Sadie! Are you around here somewhere? I’m ready to go home,” Abram, Sadie’s brother, called from by the barn.
“Coming!” she answered.
Elsie accompanied her to the barn yard, stopping to kiss the twins on the head as she passed. “Hello, Abram,” she greeted her grandson. “Did you and Opa get the truck fixed?”
“Hi, Oma. Yes, I think we’ve got it in working order.” Her tall dark haired grandson kissed her cheek. “We need to get going. I still have the milking to do when I get back.”
“You run along then. Sadie and I are done now, too.”
“I’m going to run into Landmark to get some fuel and pick up the mail. Do you want to ride along?” Ike arrived, wiping his hands on an oily rag. “Right after I wash up.” He gave her that devilish grin that even after all these years turned her heart over.
“I have some things that need doing, go on without me. I do hope there’s a letter from Sarah and Arnold. They should be in Mexico by now, don’t you think?”
“Depends on a lot of things, Elsie. You know that. Worrying over something never made it happen any faster. There’ll either be a letter or there won’t.” Ike walked away, stuffing the rag in his overall pocket as he went.
* * *
The house was quiet when the crunch of wagon wheels announced Ike’s return. He had taken the horse and buggy into town in order to save fuel. Fuel that could be put to better use in the farm equipment, although when times were a bit tight, the horse powered equipment was still used. The racket of magpies arguing over something in the yard brought a sigh to her lips. With the calendar turning from May to June in a week or so the early wheat would be entering the milk stage when the all-important kernel of grain would be developing. Then it would be a daily struggle to keep the flocks of marauding birds away. Most of the children were old enough now to help with that which would save the men precious time away from the myriad of other tasks which required their attention in the long summer days.
She got up to pour a cup of coffee for Ike at the sound of him scraping his boots at the back door. Opening the ice box Elsie took out the newly churned butter and set it on the table. The bread baked fresh this morning was in the wooden box, she took it out and sliced a few thick pieces, setting them on a plate and adding a small jar of last year’s Saskatoon jam. Which reminded her she needed to keep an eye on the strawberry patch. The first pale green berries were starting to blush pinkish red and soon it would be time to harvest the sweet fruits. There was nothing nicer than opening a jar of strawberry preserves in the dead of winter and eating a mouthful of summer while the winter winds raged outside.
“Let me take that. You sit and have your coffee.” Elsie took the handful of mail from Ike as he came through the door.
Ike handed it over without speaking. After sitting and taking a drink he slathered the brown bread with a thick layer of butter and jam. Elsie caught the amused look on his face out of the corner of her eye as she shuffled though the envelopes. After so many years together there was no chance she could fool him. She knew, he knew, she was anxious to see if the much anticipated letter from Sarah was in the bundle, but didn’t dare mention it and let her thoughts be known in case her hopes were dashed.
Elsie sorted the flyers from the other correspondence with trembling fingers. The letter had to be here, it just had to. Her heart leapt in her throat and a rush of excitement and relief flooded her when she came to the last envelope. From Sarah! Praise the Lord. Postmarked in some strange sounding place so they must have reached their destination and be settling in. For some unexplainable reason Elsie was reluctant to open the letter. While she held it in her hand unopened and unexplored, all things were possible both good and disappointing. Kind of like the idea Erwin Schrodinger talked about in 1935 with the theoretical cat in a box. Ike and Walter had discussed the paradox over the course on a long cold winter a few years ago. Heavens only knew why it stuck in her head. All Elsie had ever thought about was the poor cat. She sighed; even though there supposedly hadn’t really been any cat in a box with poison it still bothered her.
“Are you going to open that letter or just look at it?” Ike’s amused voice brought Elsie out of her wool gathering.
“Open it, of course. It’s just I’m both excited and scared to know what it says. What if Sarah’s sad and thinks she’s made a mistake? What if—”
“What if she’s happy and everything is wonderful?” Ike interrupted her. “Sit down and let’s open it together. You can read it to me.” Seeing the doubtful look on her face he added. “Or I can read it to you if you like?”
Elsie stroked the paper with her fingers and made a decision. “You read it. But wait until I go and get Agnes and Walter. They’ll want to hear the news too.”
“Fair enough.” Ike went back to finishing his coffee and snack, the letter lying by his plate.
By the time he was done everyone was gathered at the table. Taking his pocket knife Ike slit the envelope and took out the folded sheets of paper. Glancing around the table, he met Elsie’s gaze and lingered there a moment before taking the reading glasses out of his shirt pocket and perching them on his nose.
“Ready?” His gaze swept the occupants of the table one more time. When everyone nodded he unfolded the letter. “It’s dated May 7, 1947 and written someplace called Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico in the Manitoba Colony. Now that’s surely a mouthful isn’t it?” He paused and looked up.
“It all sounds so odd and strange. It doesn’t seem possible our Sarah could be living there,” Elsie said.
“Your parents most likely felt the same way when we went off to Paraguay and wrote home to them,” Ike replied.
“You’re probably right, but they never said a word about it to me, or to you.” Elsie frowned.
“Nor will we, to Sarah and Arnold. This is their decision and their life, and I’m sure God has a plan for them and this is part of it.” Ike resettled the spectacles on his nose. “I’ll read it straight through first, and then we can go back and read the parts any of you want to hear over again. So here’s what it says…
May 7, 1947
Manitoba Colony
Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico
Dear Mome and Pape and family,
We have made it to our new home! I must admit the journey was not as exciting as I thought it would be. At first it was, of course, but then it just seemed to take a very long time get to where we were going. I don’t mean to sound like I’m complaining, just trying to give you an idea of how long and hot the travel was. Even though it is only May the temperature hovers in the mid 80s. I can’t begin to imagine what it will be like in July and August. Mary assures me we’ll get accustomed to the heat. Right now I’m not so sure. It’s wonderful to see Mary and her family again, it makes missing all of you a little easier.
We have our own small place, not much yet, just a couple of rooms but it is all ours and Mary is helping me make it more homey. We haven’t been allotted any land yet, but Arnold assures me it is only a matter of time. So far everyone has been very welcoming and we seem to be accepted quite willingly by the community. Some of rules are more strict than what they are at home in Manitoba and that will take some getting used to. But I’m sure in time I will not find any of the restrictions onerous.
Arnold and I saw some amazing things on our trip down here. We traveled from Winnipeg to St. Paul, Minnesota and honestly it didn’t look any different than Manitoba. I wasn’t fond of the train, too much jerking and the sound of the wheels on the iron rails made me grit my teeth. Some of the others found the clatter soothing, but it’s beyond me how that could be so. As we went further south the landscape became much different than what we were used to. We stopped briefly at some place called Topeka in the state of Kansas to change trains. It was a time of much upheaval and confusion getting everyone organized and all our belongings from one train to the next. Arnold made sure our few possessions were transferred without any problem, but some of the women complained later that boxes of theirs were missing. I must count myself lucky that Arnold took control of our things. The next leg of our trip took us out of Kansas with its flat landscape and into Oklahoma.
I must tell you about what happened as we crossed through Oklahoma. It was unbearably hot and the humidity was terrible. Then out of a clear blue sky these huge thunderheads appeared. They were beautiful, all white on top and darker belo,w silhouetted against that brilliant blue sky. But then the wind whipped up and there was so much dust and dirt blowing around a person couldn’t see out the windows. It howled and whined around the train and actually rocked the cars on the tracks. The children were crying and some of the women were weeping, the rest of us were praying. A few women wanted to stop the train and get off. They were sure the storm was a message from God that they should go home. Of course, the train couldn’t be halted and we carried on into the teeth of the storm. Then the rain came, sheets and sheets of it. The land on either side of the tracks ran with water. The thunder was deafening, even over the roar of the wind and the sound of the train. And the hail! I have never seen anything like it. One instant the rain was sluicing down and the next the world outside my window turned white and huge balls of ice hammered on the roof making communicating impossible. Everything outside was smashed and flattened by the hail. Lightning was the only illumination as the world was dark as night except for the lightning and the balls of ice bouncing off the car. I’m not ashamed to say I was afraid and prayed for our deliverance. I clung to Arnold and although I could tell he was frightened as well, he was very brave and it made me feel a bit safer.”
Ike paused to look around at her audience. “They must have made it through safely or Sarah wouldn’t be writing us about it, but it sounds like a horrible storm. Now, where were we? Ah yes…
“Some of the coach windows were actually smashed by the hail. I didn’t think it could get any worse, but it did. The sky was a strange black-blue colour and the clouds looked like they were touching the ground. Everything had a weird greenish cast when the hail finally stopped. At first I thought the worst was over. It was still raining very hard and the wind hadn’t let up a bit, but the noise was less. It was still thundering and lightning and then, oh it was the most strange and terrifying thing I’ve ever seen, a thick finger of cloud poked down out of the bottom of this huge low cloud that took up the entire sky, and then the finger seemed to twist around itself, getting longer and shorter and then lengthening again. Suddenly it seemed to make up its mind and it reached out and made contact with the earth. Later the conductor told us it had been a least a mile away from the tracks, but at the time it looked like it was very close. The wind swirled around the angry looking cloud finger and picked up all sorts of things that got in its way. It ripped up a whole fence line of barbwire and flung it around like a child’s toy. The posts and wire tangling itself like a skein of wool. Small trees, of which there weren’t many where we were at the time, got plucked out of the ground and shot way up into the air before being carried away or dropped like matchsticks.
Everyone was terrified. I was certain the train was going to be carried away and us with it. Finally we left the funnel behind us still tearing up the land. Then the rain lessened and the sun came out. It was a glorious sight, pale blue sky peeking through the dark clouds and the most magnificent rainbow. It reached from one side to the other, intact, not a partial one like we so often see. And the glory of it! The colours were so vivid and there were actually two rainbows, one inside the arch of the other. Of course, we’ve all heard about tornadoes, I just never thought I’d ever get to see one. As I said before, both awe inspiring and terrifying.
I believe, and I told Arnold this as well, that the storm and then the rainbows were a sign that we were doing the right thing and God approved of our decision to move to Mexico. The storm was like the hard times we’ve been through, but we’ve left that all behind us now and the rainbows are a promise of better things to come. It’s all in God’s hands and I trust Him.
We finally crossed into Texas and arrived in Austin. I don’t know what I expected Austin to be like, but it was nothing like what I imagined it would be. Enough said about that for now. I’ll write more later. Then we changed trains again, leaving Austin for Presidio, Texas which is right across the border from Ojinaga, Mexico. Finally, we crossed into the country that would be our new home.
The heat was like an oven. Hot and dry and the air seemed to suck the moisture out of my skin. My face felt like it would crack if I smiled or talked. The sun burned me even through my clothes and I was very glad I had brought more than a few bonnets as it didn’t take long for them to become wet with sweat.
When we arrived there was a delegation at the station in Cuauhlemoc to meet us and Mary was there as well. I was so happy to see her. I can’t tell you how it felt to see a familiar face in that sea of strangers. I quite embarrassed myself by laughing and hugging her. Not at all like a mature married lady should act, but I couldn’t help myself. I soon got myself under control as there was much to organize regarding getting our belongings from the train and packing them into the vehicles brought to meet us. I found out that they don’t often use the vehicles except for farming and special occasions like this. Mostly it is horse and buggy or walking. I’m sure I’ll get used to things in short order.
I must thank you, Mome, for insisting I learn Spanish. The form they speak here is a bit different than what you learned in Paraguay, but it helps immensely. It’s only when dealing with people outside of the colony that language is an issue at all since we mostly communicate in Low German amongst ourselves.
I will close now and promise to write again soon. I’m very happy to be here finally, but I miss you all very much. Please give Sadie a hug for me on her wedding day and give her our best wishes for a happy life. You can write to me at the address on the top of this letter.
God bless you and keep you safe.
Your loving daughter, Sarah.
That’s the end of it.” Ike folded the sheets and handed them to Elsie who slid the paper back into the envelope and propped it against the sugar bowl.
“She sounds happy,” Agnes offered. “I just can’t imagine being that far away from everyone here, but I’m glad for her if it’s truly what she wants.”
“We all wish her happiness,” Ike said. He pushed his chair back and got to his feet, snugging his cap down on his iron grey hair as he stepped into the mud room. “Still some things that need tending to before supper.”
Walter followed him out. Elsie started to work on supper while Agnes went to check on the twins. It was all too quiet which usually meant there was some devilment in the works. Elsie allowed herself a small smile at the trouble those two could get into. Doris reminded her sharply of Anna sometimes which sent a spear of loss through her heart. Hopefully the younger girl learned something from her sister’s death. Such a tragedy, she shook her head while her hands were busy making coleslaw. Just that morning she’d walked out to the hill where Blackie was buried to tend the small rose bush Anna had so lovingly planted. Anna and her animals…
* * *
Sunday June 1st, 1947 was bright and clear with the promise of heat later in the day. Elsie took longer than usual getting ready. She paid special attention to her hair, still thick and shining. Tipping her head this way and that to catch the beams of light coming in the bedroom window she admired the way the pure silver streaks of age served to highlight rather than detract from the over-all affect. Unlike Ike, whose hair was a stronger iron grey, Elsie was pleased her blond hair had faded to a silver that shimmered in the light. Like angel hair, Ike often told her.
The dress she selected was new, bought at Eaton’s in Winnipeg for just this occasion. The pale rose colour suited her, she thought eyeing herself critically in the mirror. Smoothing the material over her hips Elsie smiled at her image in the looking glass. Satisfied all was in order, she picked up the matching hat and sat it on her head at a jaunty angle. She almost forgot her purse lying on the chair by the bed, but remembered it just in time before she left the room.
Ike was already outside with the big touring car he’d borrowed from one of his onkels. Elsie really preferred to take the horse and buggy to church. There was something about the slow pace and the rhythm of Polly’s hooves on the road. God seemed all around her in the golden morning sunlight streaming across the land, the heady scent of roses blooming by the side of the road and later the sweet heavenly perfume of large clumps of milkweed where butterflies and bees flitted to and fro going about their business. She had to admit the vehicles were better on days when the weather was less than cooperative, but the horse and buggy would always own a small piece of her heart.
No time for wool gathering, she reminded herself taking the last few risers of the stairs and halting in the dim coolness of the hall. Agnes came down the stairs behind her mother herding the twins before her. They were dressed in their new clothes bought for Easter on the same shopping trip Elsie bought the dress she was wearing. The shining innocence on their small faces brought a smile to Elsie’s face even while a surge of protectiveness engulfed her. What she wouldn’t do keep the little ones from losing that uninhibited joy and belief the world was a kind and loving place. Goodness, I’m indulging in odd thoughts today when all I should be thinking of is Sadie and Corny getting married.
“Are we ready?” Elsie bent to adjust the tiny hat on Doris’s fair hair.
“I think so. All we have to do is get these two in the car without getting a speck of dirt on them.” Agnes gave a rueful smile. “Walter’s already gone out, he’s waiting with Pape.”
“We’d best get out there too then.” Elsie led the way through the living room and out the front door.
The big car purred in the drive, the back doors open. Walter swooped in and picked up Willy before he could kick his newly polished black shoes in the dust. He deposited the boy in the back of the car and turned to assist Doris who was daintily picking her way toward him. Elsie and Agnes settled on the back seat, one on either side of the twins. Walter and Ike got in the front and Ike put the car in gear.
“Roll your window up, Ike. The wind is going to ruin my hair,” Elsie complained.
“It’s hot, Elsie.”
“My hair, Ike. And the dust is coming in. I don’t want to show up at church all gritty and dirty.”
“Please, Pape? It’s hard enough getting these two cleaned up and harder keeping them that way.” Agnes wiped a smudge of dirt off Willy’s cheek with a handkerchief.
“Fine.” Both men rolled up the front windows except for a tiny crack at the top. The action was accompanied by long suffering sighs.
It was hot, Elsie allowed. But a little heat was preferably to windblown hair and dusty clothes. Mercifully, the journey to church was quick in the fancy car. She stroked the material of the seat. It truly was a nice vehicle and very kind of Ike’s onkel to lend it to them so everyone could make the trip up to St. Vital to see the newlyweds off. A spurt of panic made her lean forward and tap Ike on the shoulder.
“You did put the picnic basket in the trunk, didn’t you? I left it on the kitchen table and totally forgot to check before I came out.”
“Yes, Elsie. It’s safely tucked away in the back, along with the going away present you want to give Sadie.” Ike caught her gaze in the rear view mirror for a moment, amusement crinkling the corners of his blue eyes.
“Thank you for that.” She settled back and tried to ignore the way her dress stuck to her back.
Ike parked the big sedan with a flourish under the shade of the line of Manitoba maples. A blessed breeze wafted over Elsie’s skin when she opened the door. After getting out, she straightened her dress, smoothing the creases out and shaking the skirt so it fell softly around her. Taking a handkerchief she leaned down and wiped Doris’s smudged face while Agnes ministered to Willy. Agnes took the twins’ hands and started toward the church. Ike and Walter wandered off to speak with the other men gathered in the shade by the side of the building.
Elsie surveyed the people gathered, searching for Sadie and Susan in the small crowd. She spied them in the midst of a small group of women. Recognizing her daughters and daughters-in-law she hurried toward them. Sadie looked radiant, blond hair shining golden in the sun. A luminous string of pearls encircled her throat and small pearl studs adorned her ears. A gift from Susan and Martin to commemorate her baptism, the occasion of her joining the church, and her wedding day. Elsie thought of the small gift still in the trunk of the car. There would be plenty of time later for her to give it to Sadie.
“You look wonderful.” Elsie hugged her granddaughter as she joined the group.
“Thank you, Oma.”
“How did your catechism go?” She smiled already knowing the answer.
“I did well. Poor Corny struggled a bit with some of it, but the pastor was pleased enough, so nothing stands in the way of our marriage. There were some other instructions for the baptism candidates and then we were baptised on our confession of faith in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” Sadie’s smile was brilliant.
“Let me borrow my granddaughter for a moment.” Elsie took Sadie’s gloved hand and led her a short way away from the group. “Now Sadie, did Susan have a chance to speak with you about your duty to your husband?”
Sadie’s cheeks flushed pink and a dimple appeared in her cheek at the corner of her mouth. “She did, yes. I realize that living together as man and wife there will have to be some adjustments and compromises made. Mome has impressed on me the importance of respecting my husband and his wishes.”
“That’s good, then. A wife should look to her husband for guidance and protection. She should defer to his wisdom in all things. You realize that, don’t you?” Elsie raised an eyebrow at her.
Sadie threw her head back in peals of laughter. “Oh Oma. If you could see your face!” She giggled again. “You look so serious. Of course I realize that. Haven’t I watched my parents, and you and Opa, while I’ve been growing up? Please don’t worry about me. Mome was very thorough in her explanation and instructions.” She hugged Elsie close. “I love you, Oma. And I’m going to miss you very much.”
“And I you, Sadie.” Elsie released her granddaughter and smoothed her dress again.
“It’s time! Hurry along, Sadie,” Susan called from the church steps where the congregation was starting to file into the dim interior.
Grasping her hand Sadie pulled Elsie toward the church. The pale peach dress she wore was simple and suited her youthfulness. The matching shawl had small cream flowers in the pattern which highlighted the delicate flush on her cheeks. Elsie’s heart swelled with pride at the picture her granddaughter made, laughing in the June sunlight.
The inside smelled of beeswax and lemon along with the peculiar scent of books and onion paper when Elsie stepped into the cool of the interior. She took her place in the pew with the rest of the females in her family. Sadie squeezed her hand before releasing it. This would be the last time Sadie sat with the family during service. Elsie’s vision blurred a little and she blinked back the moisture gathering on her lashes. Such a day of joy and of sadness. Just as in life, she supposed. Happiness and joy leavened with a dollop of sadness and duty. She pulled the well-thumbed gesangbuch out of her purse and opened it to the selection indicated by the Vorsängers.
The familiar service flowed around her. Elsie paid attention and joined her voice in the praise of the Lord, Sadie’s clear soprano soaring to the rafters beside her. When the regular service came to a close, Susan opened the cardboard box she’d carried into the church and handed Sadie a small bouquet of wild flowers and roses. Small shooting stars nodded over the brilliant yellow of marsh marigold, along with the yellow throated purple spikes of wild iris. Delicate feathery fronds of yarrow draped artistically from the sides and bottom of the arrangement. The twins had wanted to include the last of the tiny purple violets that were so fragrant, but the sweet smelling blooms were far too delicate and tiny to last. The whole bouquet was tied together with wide pale yellow and cream ribbon. Sadie’s eyes were shining as she went to join her husband to be.
Another couple were also being married at the same time. They were also part of the group leaving for Paraguay that afternoon. Memories flooded Elsie’s mind as the couples pledged their faith and took their vows. Were her and Ike ever that young and full of excitement at the promise of adventure and new life? A sigh escaped her. It seemed a long time ago now, that thrill of thinking about the long journey on the ship and the time to just get to know her new husband better. She remembered the happiness and contentment of those long days and nights.
She joined in the hymns and songs praising God and his love and asking his blessing on the young couples.
After the ceremony the newly married couples left the church followed by the congregation. Family and friends were invited to Susan and Martin’s farm for a lunch before the trek to St. Vital. Elsie pushed the knowledge of Sadie’s imminent departure to the back of her mind and determined to enjoy the upcoming celebration. The long tables under the trees by the house were loaded with potato salads, cheese, pickles, soups, and different types of bread along with roasts of ham and chickens. A special treat of watermelon with follkuaken was also present Everyone had contributed to the feast. Ike had driven Elsie and Agnes’ contributions over earlier that morning almost before the sun was up.
Elsie found a quiet time during the chaos to draw Sadie aside and present her with the small gift.
“Grossmama, it’s lovely.” Sadie stroked the pebbled leather cover of the Bible.
“I’m glad you like it. It’s the Bible my mother gave me on my wedding day and just before your grosspape and I left for Paraguay. I want you to have it and you can pass it on to your children when the time comes. Your opa and I wish you and Corny every happiness, Mrs. Hildebrand.”
“Mrs. Hidebrand. Do you think I’ll ever get used to being called that? It sounds so grown up, and I don’t feel that way at all. I’m all giddy and so full of happiness.”
“That’s exactly how you’re supposed to feel on your wedding day, Sadie. Full of happiness and promises.”
“Oh, Oma! I’m going to miss you most of all.” Tears sprang to her eyes.
“Now, now. No tears. This is a happy day. Your past will always be with you, but the time has come to look forward, to your future. Yours and Corny’s. You will always have a place here, Mrs. Hildebrand. Now, I think I see Hilda looking for you. You best go see what your new mother-in-law wants. I see Jacob over by the house speaking with Corny, looks like a father son talk, so I imagine Hilda wants to have a private conversation with her new daughter.”
“I love you, Oma. And thank you.” Sadie hugged her and kissed both cheeks before hurrying off across the grass toward where Hilda Hildebrand waited.
Before it seemed possible it was time for those who were accompanying the emigrants to St. Vital to depart. Agnes and Helena, along with Nettie, Betty and Frieda volunteered to take care of chores and clear up the remains of the celebration so Susan and Martin could ride with Ike and Elsie in the big Tudor sedan. Elsie hesitated with one foot already in the door of the car when she caught sight of Sadie standing off by herself under the big apple tree she used to love to climb as a child. She rested her hand on the smooth bark and seemed to be trying to commit the scene to memory. Elsie empathised with her. She’d done the same thing on her wedding day before leaving for what she thought was forever.
“Mome, come on. Get in, everyone’s leaving,” Susan urged Elsie from inside the car.
“Coming.” Elsie eased through the open door, settling in the seat. Her feet hurt in the new shoes and there seemed to be grit inside the collar of the new dress irritating the back of her neck. With the evening the day would cool off, but at the moment the June sun was still high and hot in the afternoon sky.
“All set?” Ike put the car in gear and the engine purred as they pulled away. The windows were rolled partway down, but Elsie was more interested in being cool at the moment. She pulled the pins holding her hat from her hair and set it on her lap. Beside her Susan did the same, laying her head back on the seat and closing her eyes.
“It doesn’t seem possible my Sadie is married. I swear it was only yesterday when she was running around chasing butterflies and learning to sew.”
“It seems like only yesterday you were doing the same thing, and now you’ve got a married daughter going off to Paraguay.” Elsie smiled at her.
Elsie must have dozed off in the heat, she didn’t remember closing her eyes, but when she opened them they were pulling into the parking lot by the train station. A small picnic was laid out under some trees on a patch of grass and the more intimate goodbyes of immediate family were said. Baskets of sandwiches and snacks for the journey were brought out and given to the travellers, and before it seemed credible it was time for the emigrants to board the train cars. Elsie stood in the crush of well-wishers gathered to see the travellers off. Sadie and Corny leaned out the open window of their train car, calling goodbyes and waving. They looked so happy and sure of themselves, Elsie thought. Please God, let all their dreams come true. Let them always be as happy with each other as they are today.
The engine hissed and smoked and with a great release of steam screech of wheels the train slowly started to move. Elsie stood on her toes and waved her handkerchief, shouting well wishes with the rest of them. Sadie leaned out the window, hanky fluttering in her hand from the increasing wind caused by the train’s movement.
Elsie kept on waving until the train was out of sight. Sinking back off her toes, she tucked the handkerchief into her pocket and smoothed the wrinkled dress with her palms. Beside her, Susan wiped tears from her cheeks. Martin came and stood beside her, slipping an arm around her waist. Together they turned and walked toward the car. Ike appeared at Elsie’s elbow and smiled down at her.
“Well, they’re off. Do you remember what it was like?” His gaze was warm on hers.
“I do. I think it was easier to be the ones leaving than the ones left behind.”
“I think you might be right.” Ike took her arm and they moved toward the parking lot.
Elsie paused to look down the track where the east bound train had disappeared around a curve. “I hope she doesn’t regret it and things turn out exactly the way those young people want it to.”
“It will be as God wills it,” Ike said, turning her back toward the car and home. “It worked out just fine for us, didn’t it?”
Elsie glanced up at him with a tremulous smile. “It did, didn’t it?” Her step was lighter as she accompanied her husband to the borrowed car and the trip home.