Amish Widow's Christmas

by Samantha Price

  Matilda kneeled down by her. “What are you thinking about, Sarah? You go so quiet sometimes.”

  Sarah knew she wasn’t good at talking, since she was used to being on her own. She shared her inner thoughts with Matilda.

  “We can’t know why Gott does things, Sarah. His ways are higher than ours and we can’t begin to know His thoughts. Maybe He’s tested you and you passed the test.”

  “I don’t want to be tested. I’m not strong enough.”

  Matilda leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her friend. “Jah you are, because Gott is giving you strength day by day, all that you need to handle this test. It's selfish of me, but I hope you don’t go, but if you do I’ll always be your very best friend.”

  “Denke, Matilda. You're the best!” Sarah placed her arm around her friend and returned the hug. “If I leave, I’ll write all the time. I’ll never forget you, and we can visit each other.”

  “Gott answers our prayers.”

  “He does, and it seems too good to be true.”

  “Believe it.”

  “Say you’ll come and visit me?”

  “I’ll visit you and I’ll write to you every week.”

  “Ah, but will you help me up?” Sarah held out her hands to be pulled out of the couch.

  Matilda stood up, giggling, and then helped Sarah to her feet.

  Sarah placed her hand over her tummy “Do you hear that, my boppli? We’ve been blessed with a place to live and an income from a farm.”

  Right at that moment, Sarah’s water broke.

  Chapter 3

  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

  the evidence of things not seen.

  Hebrews 11:1

  * * *

  That night, a baby girl was born to Sarah Kurtz. The tiny baby with dark hair and dark blue eyes was named Gretel after Sarah’s late mother.

  Matilda had stayed with her the whole time, assisting the midwife. After the midwife had left, Matilda lay down in bed next to her, exhausted. “It was tough work watching you give birth.”

  “Not as tough as the time I was having, I can tell you that. And that’s the last time you’ll hear me complain about anything. Apart from being exhausted, I’m feeling so blessed right now that I could burst.”

  “I know how you feel. I was like that when each of my boys arrived.”

  “Denke for putting up with me being so horrid lately.”

  “Nee, we all go through tough times. And you’ve been through a terrible upheaval with Joel going unexpectedly in the way that he did.”

  “I know. It was such a shock. If he’d been sick or something at least I might have been prepared for it. There I go, complaining again.” She stared down at the bundle asleep across her chest. “Look at her sleeping so peacefully with not a care in the world. I want her to be this way forever—content.”

  “You should try to get some sleep now that Gretel is sleeping. It’s easier if you do that the first few weeks. Sleep when she sleeps. The idea about sleeping in one big slab at night, throw it right out the window.”

  “Okay. I’ll try. I’m exhausted, but I’m also excited. I hope I can sleep.”

  “You won’t have to take in sewing anymore to make ends meet.”

  “I know, I can concentrate on making a nice happy home for Gretel. Are you staying the night?” When there was no answer, she turned to see that her best friend was already fast asleep. She held Gretel firmly against her, stood up, and placed her baby in her crib. After she had covered Gretel in another blanket, she crawled back into bed next to Matilda who stayed fast asleep.

  “Denke Gott,” she whispered, “and denke, Onkel Harold.”

  * * *

  Matilda had been there every day while her children were at school, and today Sarah was feeling well enough to finally make some real plans about traveling to Sugarcreek.

  “Denke Onkel Harold,” Sarah said aloud in front of Matilda. “And denke Gott,” she added in case Matilda would remind her that’s where her blessing came from.

  “Jah, it’s sad that he’s not going to be around, but him going to Gott right now was good timing for you and Gretel. Did you know your Onkel Harold well?”

  “My vadder was very close with him. They kept in touch quite often. I remember going to visiting him once when I was little, and then I don’t have much memory except that he was a kind man who liked children even though he didn’t have any of his own.”

  Matilda poured out a cup of tea for Sarah.

  “I’ll have to start making plans. Like—how will I get there, for a start? I don’t even know if there’s a bus or a train or what?”

  “Sugarcreek?”

  “Jah. Would there be a bus or a train?”

  “I think it’s about six hours' drive away, and longer by train or bus, or whatever. Everywhere's always longer than it is by car. I’ll have Tom find out for you what’s the best way to get there.”

  “Would you? That would be wunderbaar. I’ll need to write back to Nellie and tell her when I’m coming. I’ve given her a rough idea when I spoke to her on the phone last, but I think it’s always best to confirm things in writing.”

  “Do you think you’ll leave in about a fortnight?”

  “I’ll have to because that’s when the rent runs out. I’m paid up for another two weeks. I’ve got so many things to do.”

  “Tom and I will help with everything.”

  “Denke. I never dreamed a year ago that I’d be sitting here with a baby in my arms and Joel not here.”

  “Life’s like that sometimes—full of surprises.”

  “I wonder if this girl will ever have a vadder.”

  “Would you consider marrying again?”

  “I would. I liked being married and having someone with me all the time, and this girl needs a vadder and more siblings. I don’t want her to be an only child like I was. And that doesn’t mean I love Joel any less. I just don’t want to be on my own, with just me and Gretel. We’d both be lonely.”

  “Of course not. I know you don’t love Joel any less by wanting those things.”

  “I know Gott will find someone for me at just the right time, like He found us the house.”

  “And the income from the farm. You’re totally set for life.”

  Sarah smiled at the thought of it. Such a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

  That had been a pattern in Sarah’s life; whenever she thought she couldn’t take any more, God raised her out of the hard times. When she had been at the lowest point of her younger life, God had arranged for her to meet Joel. Now she'd felt even lower, and Gott had used Onkel Harold to meet her needs.

  * * *

  The next day Matilda arrived with good news. “All the arrangements have been made. Tom has found someone to drive you to Sugarcreek.

  “Drive me all the way there? Won’t that be expensive?”

  “Nee. The man’s a traveling salesman. Tom has known him for many years. He travels around the countryside, and he’s going to Ohio in two weeks time. Everything is falling into place perfectly.”

  “And he doesn’t mind driving me and Gretel?”

  “He said he’d be happy to do it. Tom offered to pay his gas money, but the man said no need because he was going that way anyway.”

  “Denke, Matilda. You and Tom have come through for me again. Can I organize everything in that time?”

  “Yes, because you won’t be doing it alone. I’ll help you, and so will the ladies.”

  Sarah smiled at the baby in her arms. “Everything is working out perfectly. My baby and I will have a new life in Sugarcreek. I never for one moment imagined that I’d be leaving here, but I must go where Gott wants me to go.”

  Chapter 4

  Delight thyself also in the Lord:

  and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

  Commit thy way unto the Lord;

  trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

  Psalm 37:4-5
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  * * *

  Nellie had suggested that Sarah be driven to her house, as it was easier to find than Onkel Harold’s farm.

  As the salesman parked his car beside Nellie’s house, a woman came running out. Matilda guessed she was a little older than herself. Nellie had a kind face and Sarah liked her immediately. The man who drove her there pulled her bags out of the back as Sarah thanked him profusely. Nellie’s husband, Seth, came out to greet her, took charge of the luggage and added his thanks before the man drove away.

  “You must be exhausted. Come inside and have something to eat before we take you to the farm,” Nellie said taking Sarah’s baby from her arms.

  Sarah sat down while Nellie and Seth told her all about the local community. Nellie then listed all the people, and who would be likely to become her friends going by age.

  “And how many kinner do you have?” Sarah asked them. “We never got around to talking about that on the phone.”

  “Gott has blessed us with two boys. They are in schul right now. They’re ten and eleven. Mark and Matthew.”

  “Did Nellie explain to you about the farm income?” Seth asked.

  “A little.”

  Nellie frowned at Seth while still hugging the baby who was asleep. “Don’t talk about that now. Let her settle in first. There’s enough time for all that later.”

  “It’s not something you have to worry about. It’s all been put in place. With the help of Joshua Byler. ”

  Nellie tapped her husband’s arm telling him to be quiet. “I’ve told her all she needs to know for the moment.”

  “You mentioned that there’s a horse and buggy? I’ll need to be able to get around.”

  “Jah. And all your onkel’s furniture is still there in the haus, but we’ve packed his personal things into boxes and put them in a corner of the barn. You can go through them as you have time, and see what you want to keep.”

  “Denke that’s very good of you. My onkel and my vadder were very close.”

  “Harold often used to talk about your vadder and what they got up to when they were younger,” Seth said.

  “They enjoyed their childhood together. They were close in age,” Sarah said.

  “Jah, they weren’t only brothers, they were friends,” Nellie said.

  Sarah nodded. “And is Harold’s place far away?”

  “It’s your place now. You signed those papers and sent them back to the lawyers, didn’t you?” Nellie asked.

  Sarah giggled. “Jah, I did. It just seems funny to think of the place as mine. And I haven’t even seen it since I was a little girl.”

  “Are you ready to see it now?” Seth asked.

  “I certainly am. This is a new start for Gretel and me. And I can tell you that it couldn’t have come at a better time. I had just paid the last of my money for rent, and then I didn’t know what I was going to do.”

  “Gott always provides,” Seth said with a twinkle in his pale blue eyes.

  Sarah nodded. “He always does.”

  Seth smiled. “Weeping lasts for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Now, I’ve got all your luggage in the buggy and I’m ready to go when you are.”

  * * *

  As the buggy clip-clopped along the narrow tree-lined roads, Nellie pointed out the houses they passed and informed Sarah who lived in each one.

  The next farm they came to had an attractive white house with a red roof.

  “And of course, you’ll meet your neighbor, Joshua Byler. He’s a widower with two kinner, a boy and a girl. His wife died some years ago and the children are just delightful.”

  Sarah’s interest was piqued. She couldn’t help but wonder if Gott had brought her all that way to meet another man—a widower with two children sounded perfect. Marrying a widower would be good, Sarah considered because he would understand how it felt to lose someone and he wouldn't be jealous that she couldn't just forget Joel.

  “Well, here we are,” Seth said as they headed up a driveway through double open gates.

  “It’s not far from your place at all,” Sarah said, pleased that she knew people who lived so close.

  “Visit us whenever you want, and let us know if you need anything. It takes a while to settle into a new place.”

  Sarah stepped out of the buggy with Gretel asleep in her arms. Nellie hurried in front and fished the key from behind a chair on the porch.

  When Nellie picked up the key, she said, “That’s where Harold always kept the key if he ever locked the place. Do you want me to show you through, or do you want to explore the place for yourself?”

  “I don’t want to keep you.” She glanced behind her at Seth who was busy unloading her luggage.

  Nellie also glanced at her husband. “Take all those suitcases up to the main bedroom, would you, Seth?”

  “Of course.”

  “Does it all go to the bedroom?” Nellie asked Sarah.

  “Jah. Can I offer you some tea? Oh, I don’t even know if there’s anything here.”

  “I did some shopping for you. There’s enough of everything for a few days and there are chickens in a coop behind the barn.” She pointed over at the large red barn.

  “Chickens? That’s lovely. I haven’t kept chickens for a while. I miss them. The ones I had were raised from babies. They were my pets.”

  Nellie chuckled. “We won’t stay, Sarah. Denke for asking us. The bay horse in the paddock there is your buggy horse and you’ll find the buggy and the feed for the livestock in the barn.”

  Seth came down the stairs for the second load of luggage.

  “I want to thank you for looking after everything and helping me come this far.”

  “It was a pleasure,” Seth said.

  Sarah looked around the house. “This looks very much like the house I grew up in. I do hope one day it might be filled with kinner.”

  “If Gott wills,” Nellie cautioned, raising her eyebrows.

  “Jah, of course. If Gott wills it.”

  Seth trudged downstairs after the second round of taking luggage up to the bedroom, looking a little out of breath.

  “Denke, for doing that Seth.”

  He smiled. “You’ll find everything you need is here, and if not, there’s a phone in the barn and Harold had a book with everyone’s number written down. We made sure our number is in there for you.”

  “Don’t hesitate to call us,” Nellie added.

  “This Sunday the gathering is on at the Wilsons’ haus. That’s the haus we showed you that’s next to ours.”

  “Jah, I remember the one.”

  “Don’t come if you’re too tired. You’ve had a long journey.”

  “I’ll have Friday and Saturday to rest. I should be fine. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.”

  “And everyone’s keen to welcome you, too,” Seth said.

  “Oh, I put the crib that I used for my boys upstairs with fresh linen in it.”

  “Denke. That helps me so much. I couldn’t bring anything like that with me.”

  Gretel opened her eyes and started crying.

  Nellie leaned forward and stroked Gretel on her cheek. “Such a beautiful boppli. We’ll leave you to it, Sarah. Would you like me to come back tomorrow to help you unpack?”

  “Nee, I’ll be fine. There’s not much to unpack; just a few clothes.”

  “I’ll be back in a day or two, then, to see that you’re settling in.”

  “Denke, Nellie.”

  Seth and Nellie hurried to the buggy. Sarah rocked Gretel back and forward, watching the buggy until it was out of sight.

  Chapter 5

  The Lord is my strength and my shield;

  my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:

  therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

  and with my song will I praise him.

  Psalm 28:7

  * * *

  “Let’s go inside, Gretel. I guess you need to be fed about now.”

  After Sarah had fed her, Gretel went right back to
sleep. Sarah set about exploring her new house. The first thing she explored was the kitchen. It was large, with many cupboards and it had a huge utility room off from it. She leaned over the double sink and looked out the window. From there she had a good view of the farm and she could see the chicken coop.

  When she was putting some vegetables on for dinner, she came across a bunch of keys next to the cupboard the potatoes were in. The label told her they were keys belonging to the grossdaddi haus. Knowing it would soon be dark, she decided to take a quick look at it in the daylight. Not wanting to leave Gretel alone in the house, she picked her up and took her with her.

  As she walked around the side of the house, she wondered how much someone would pay to live in a grossdaddi haus. “Depends on how big it is, I suppose, and how many bedrooms,” she murmured to herself.

  Standing at the front door, she examined the keys to see which one might fit. It was a large keyhole, so she tried the largest key. After it had clicked with no trouble, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

  “Who are you?” a startled-sounding voice from within yelled.

  Sarah looked up, momentarily stunned to see an Amish man in his thirties.

  “Who are you?” she shot back. “And what are you doing in my haus?”

  “I live here.”

  “This is my haus.”

  “Oh. So you’re Sarah Graber?”

  “I’m Sarah Kurtz. Graber was my maiden name.”

  “Of course. Sarah Kurtz. I did hear about your husband, and I’m sorry.”

  She shook her head. “What are you doing here? I don’t understand who you are.”

  He stepped closer. “Your onkel said I was welcome to stay here as long as I want.”

  Now she understood. This man was trying to take advantage of her. She shouldn’t have waited so long before she came. It was never good to leave a place vacant. He must’ve seen no one was living there and moved right on in. “Well, I’m the new owner. Not my onkel.”