Susanna's Christmas Wish by Jerry S. Eicher Page B

said. “It’s been such a wonderful day, hasn’t it?”
    “ Yah …” Mary was still looking toward the barn. Finally Mary turned away from the window. “Well, speaking about a wunderbah day, how about you and Herman having the family’s Christmas breakfast this year?”
    Susanna swallowed hard. Why hadn’t she told Mary about Herman’s problem with Christmas while she was alone with her the other day? Because of Matthew, that’s why. All the kafuffle of seeing Matthew had driven the thought from her mind.
    Mary smiled, patting Susanna on the arm. “I’m half teasing, Susanna. You don’t have to turn so white. I just thought it would be perfect to have our newlywed couple host the day. Sort of add all the sweetness of your new love to the mix. Of course, not that we older married folks don’t love each other, but being newly married is such a special time in one’s life.”
    Susanna glanced behind her. Thankfully the other women had gone into the kitchen and were busy cleaning up the last of the dishes. Now would be a gut time to break the news. Mary was an easy one to talk to, and waiting would only make everything harder.
    “I think Christmas breakfast had better be at Mamm’s as usual. Because…I…I don’t think we will come this year,” Susanna managed.
    Mary looked at her as if she didn’t believe what she’d just heard.
    “ Yah , you heard me right,” Susanna added. “Herman has a problem with Christmas celebrations. He thinks it’s following the Englisha ways. He believes the time should be celebrated on Old Christmas only—and then very quietly. His whole family believes that way.”
    “Oh,” Mary said, comprehension dawning. “I suppose when I think about it, I do remember that. The Waglers are one of the few families in the community who feel that way. And last year Herman didn’t come. I’d forgotten.”
    “Herman hasn’t forgotten.”
    “Susanna,” Mary had her by the arm now, “you don’t mean…really…like you and Herman won’t come?”
    “I’m afraid so.” Susanna looked away.
    “But there must be some way. Will Herman let you at least come?”
    “He’s my husband, Mary. I’m not coming without him.”
    Mary groaned. “This will be quite a shock to the others. You know how much the day means to Mamm and Daett . Won’t Herman consider that?”
    “It’s our new tradition against their old one. And you know which will win out, don’t you?”
    “So you’ve talked of this at length…” Mary let the sentence hang.
    “ Yah , and I’m ashamed of the fight I put up,” Susanna said. “I’ve made it my Christmas wish to learn my husband’s new ways and make them truly my own.”
    “You’re a saint, Susanna, but this is awful. Christmas morning will never be the same without you. What are we going to do?”
    “Carry on as usual. You know an Amish man’s mind is hard to change.”
    Mary groaned again but said nothing more.
    “Speaking of an Amish man,” Susanna said. “There’s Herman coming with his horse. We must be leaving early.”
    “He doesn’t look happy,” Mary said, staring across the lawn at him. “Do you think he doesn’t approve of the men wrestling? Could that have upset him?”
    “I don’t think so,” Susanna said.
    Mary ignored Susanna’s denial. “Oh no! If Herman’s upset, maybe you won’t be able to attend Thanksgiving gatherings again. Tell him Ernest and I are very sorry this happened at our place. It won’t ever happen again.”
    Susanna shook her head. “He’s not that way, Mary. He’s a decent man. He’s not going to forbid me from coming to the family gatherings on Thanksgiving Day because of a wrestling match. His parents celebrate Thanksgiving. Not quite as elaborately as we do, but they get together.”
    Mary looked relieved as she followed Susanna to the bedroom to help her find her wrap.
    “Aren’t you going to say goodbye to everyone?” Mary asked when Susanna draped her shawl over her shoulders and