own paled in comparison. But it wasn’t Alma’s
cooking Meredith admired the most; it was her sweet, gentle spirit and knowledge of
the scriptures. Some folks—both Amish and English—didn’t read their Bibles often enough,
and therefore didn’t always know when God was speaking to them. Alma, on the other
hand, read her Bible faithfully and liked to talk about some of the verses she’d memorized.
This morning when she’d first arrived, she’d quoted Matthew 5:4 to Meredith and talked
about how God blessed and comforted those who mourn, and how that comfort often comes
from family and friends who surround the grieving one with their love and support.
I needed that reminder today
, Meredith thought as she pushed her chair away from the sewing machine and stood.
Even though at first she hadn’t wanted Laurie or Alma to stay with her, now she was
glad to have their help, as well as their company. She especially appreciated listening
to Alma talk about when she was a girl and how the Lord had given her a heart for
other people’s children when she’d found out she couldn’t have any of her own. Alma
was a remarkable woman, who had not only learned to accept the fact that she was barren,
but had also relied heavily on the Lord, as well as her friends, after her husband’s
sudden death.
Meredith started toward the kitchen, but stopped for a minute and closed her eyes.
Thank You, heavenly Father, for bringing Alma into my home, and for the knowledge
that You know my pain and will see me through this time of grief.
Philadelphia
“I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when we surprise Grandma and Grandpa
tonight,” Anne told Susan as they ate lunch. It was one of those rare times when they
had the same schedule and could actually meet in the hospital cafeteria at noon.
Susan smiled as she sprinkled a little salt on her hard-boiled egg. “It’s not often
we get to do anything special for them, so I hope everything works out as we’ve planned.”
“I’m sure it will,” Anne said in a confident tone, scraping the container of her tuna
salad. “I mean, what could go wrong?”
“Nothing, I hope.” Tonight was their grandparents’ forty-fourth wedding anniversary,
and Susan and Anne had planned a surprise dinner in their honor at Keya Graves, a
lovely seafood and steakhouse in Darby. They’d invited Grandma and Grandpa’s closest
friends, and told their grandparents to meet them there at seven o’clock this evening.
Grandma and Grandpa had no idea that family and friends would arrive half an hour
early and be waiting to surprise them when the hostess ushered them into the restaurant’s
banquet room.
“I’m thrilled that everyone we invited is coming,” Anne added. “Usually with an event
like this, a few people can’t make it.”
“You’re right, and it’s an indication of how well Grandma and Grandpa are liked,”
Susan added. “Everything should be perfect, right down to the old-fashioned anniversary
cake we ordered.”
“Any change with your Eddie fellow?” Anne asked.
“He’s stopped having seizures, so that’s one positive thing.”
Anne smiled and took a bite of her apple. “It sure is. Do you think he’ll be moved
to rehab soon?”
“I don’t know. Guess it all depends on whether he continues to progress.”
Deep lines formed across Anne’s forehead as she slowly shook her head. “I wonder if
we’ll ever know who’s responsible for that young man’s injuries.”
Susan shrugged. “I’m still hoping and praying, but only the Lord knows what lies ahead
for poor Eddie.”
Bird-in-Hand
“I know Mom’s not back from her dental appointment yet, but when she gets here, would
you let her know that I might be a little late for supper?” Jonah asked his dad as
they finished up their work in the buggy shop.
Dad’s bushy eyebrows furrowed. “Are ya goin’ someplace?”
“Thought I’d hitch up
cooking Meredith admired the most; it was her sweet, gentle spirit and knowledge of
the scriptures. Some folks—both Amish and English—didn’t read their Bibles often enough,
and therefore didn’t always know when God was speaking to them. Alma, on the other
hand, read her Bible faithfully and liked to talk about some of the verses she’d memorized.
This morning when she’d first arrived, she’d quoted Matthew 5:4 to Meredith and talked
about how God blessed and comforted those who mourn, and how that comfort often comes
from family and friends who surround the grieving one with their love and support.
I needed that reminder today
, Meredith thought as she pushed her chair away from the sewing machine and stood.
Even though at first she hadn’t wanted Laurie or Alma to stay with her, now she was
glad to have their help, as well as their company. She especially appreciated listening
to Alma talk about when she was a girl and how the Lord had given her a heart for
other people’s children when she’d found out she couldn’t have any of her own. Alma
was a remarkable woman, who had not only learned to accept the fact that she was barren,
but had also relied heavily on the Lord, as well as her friends, after her husband’s
sudden death.
Meredith started toward the kitchen, but stopped for a minute and closed her eyes.
Thank You, heavenly Father, for bringing Alma into my home, and for the knowledge
that You know my pain and will see me through this time of grief.
Philadelphia
“I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when we surprise Grandma and Grandpa
tonight,” Anne told Susan as they ate lunch. It was one of those rare times when they
had the same schedule and could actually meet in the hospital cafeteria at noon.
Susan smiled as she sprinkled a little salt on her hard-boiled egg. “It’s not often
we get to do anything special for them, so I hope everything works out as we’ve planned.”
“I’m sure it will,” Anne said in a confident tone, scraping the container of her tuna
salad. “I mean, what could go wrong?”
“Nothing, I hope.” Tonight was their grandparents’ forty-fourth wedding anniversary,
and Susan and Anne had planned a surprise dinner in their honor at Keya Graves, a
lovely seafood and steakhouse in Darby. They’d invited Grandma and Grandpa’s closest
friends, and told their grandparents to meet them there at seven o’clock this evening.
Grandma and Grandpa had no idea that family and friends would arrive half an hour
early and be waiting to surprise them when the hostess ushered them into the restaurant’s
banquet room.
“I’m thrilled that everyone we invited is coming,” Anne added. “Usually with an event
like this, a few people can’t make it.”
“You’re right, and it’s an indication of how well Grandma and Grandpa are liked,”
Susan added. “Everything should be perfect, right down to the old-fashioned anniversary
cake we ordered.”
“Any change with your Eddie fellow?” Anne asked.
“He’s stopped having seizures, so that’s one positive thing.”
Anne smiled and took a bite of her apple. “It sure is. Do you think he’ll be moved
to rehab soon?”
“I don’t know. Guess it all depends on whether he continues to progress.”
Deep lines formed across Anne’s forehead as she slowly shook her head. “I wonder if
we’ll ever know who’s responsible for that young man’s injuries.”
Susan shrugged. “I’m still hoping and praying, but only the Lord knows what lies ahead
for poor Eddie.”
Bird-in-Hand
“I know Mom’s not back from her dental appointment yet, but when she gets here, would
you let her know that I might be a little late for supper?” Jonah asked his dad as
they finished up their work in the buggy shop.
Dad’s bushy eyebrows furrowed. “Are ya goin’ someplace?”
“Thought I’d hitch up
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