With Winter's First Frost
Page 32
“Phillip came by yesterday. He brought me watermelon. Cold watermelon. I was so hot and it tasted so gut. How did he know I needed watermelon?”
“He’s a smart man.”
The gasping turned to a shriek that bounced off the walls and flew into the night through open windows where the sun had just peeked over the horizon. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”
“It’s time to push.” Rachel smiled at Hannah. “You’re almost done. Take a breath, let it out, and then give a gut hard push.”
Four good pushes and a little girl slipped into Rachel’s hands. She crowed with delight. “You have a daughter, Hannah, a sturdy little girl with all her fingers and toes.”
“Let me see, let me see.” Hannah struggled to prop herself up on her elbows. “Are you sure she’s fine?”
The baby uttered her first cry. Loud and not the least bit shy.
“Lungs are gut.” Rachel snipped the cord and clamped it. “Color is gut. Everything looks perfect.”
She handed the baby to Laura, who took a quick peek. “She has your hair. Just a few wisps, but definitely red. Another carrottop.”
“Gut. She doesn’t look like her daed.”
Hannah still had forgiving to do. “You’re bound to see Thaddeus in her.”
“I know.” Hannah kissed the baby’s forehead and cooed. “And it’s okay. Looks don’t have anything to do with the way a person acts. I’ll teach her to take responsibility for her actions.”
“You have set the example.” Laura squeezed onto the edge of the bed and rested her weary legs. “What will you name her?”
Tears trickled down Hannah’s cheeks and one dropped from the tip of her nose. She sniffed and smiled. “Evelyn Rose. Daed says that was your mudder’s name, his groossmammi.”
“Evelyn Rose.” Laura swallowed her own tears and breathed. “Such a pretty name. You would’ve liked her. She never had a cross word for anyone and she always listened before she decided who to punish. With eight kinner she needed that patience.”
“She was like you then.”
“I’m like her, I hope.”
“I hope Evelyn is like you.”
“Can I show her to Zechariah?”
“Jah, but bring her back soon. I just met her and yet, I know I’ll miss her.”
Laura carried her precious bundle out to the front room where Zechariah sat rocking by himself. He waggled his eyebrows. “You look so gut with a baby in your arms. Seth went to do chores and Carrie is starting breakfast.”
“This is Evelyn Rose. Evelyn, meet Zechariah Stutzman. He’s your great-great-groossdaadi.”
“I am, aren’t I?” He stood and peered down at the baby. “Another carrottop. Carrottops are gut workers. Are you a gut worker?”
“If she’s anything like her namesake, she will be.”
“Your mudder. I vaguely remember snickerdoodles and gingersnaps when the singings were at your house. And a smile a lot like yours. What do you think she’d say if she could see us now? You and me?”
She’d be smiling, for sure. She was smiling now. With Laura’s father. “She’d say you did well for yourself.”
Zechariah laughed, a sound so hearty Evelyn began to cry.
Laura touched her soft cheek. “Don’t cry, bopli, this is the start of something you’ll like a lot. We’ll be here to rock you when your mudder is tired and change your diaper—”
“Speak for yourself.” Zechariah pinched his nose with both fingers. “I’m not a fan of stinky diapers.”
“I’ll change your diaper and groossdaadi will sing you songs and teach you ‘This Little Piggy Went to Market.’ Life will be hard sometimes, but for as long as we’re here, we’ll take care of you.”
Zechariah tucked his arm around Laura. He kissed Evelyn’s head and then Laura’s cheek. “Just like we do each other. That’s a promise.”
Laura leaned into him and inhaled the fragrance of her husband and this newborn, equally sweet. “You can count on us.” She couldn’t resist. She didn’t want to resist. Kissing Zechariah topped the list of things she loved about married life. Top five for sure. She kissed his lips, then his cheeks, and his nose. “That’s a promise.”
A promise for every season.
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
IT’S HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS THE LAST BOOK IN the Every Amish Season series. I’ve enjoyed writing all four books, and I hope readers will continue to enjoy reading them. My thanks to the HarperCollins Christian Publishing team for all its hard work in producing them. With Winter’s First Frost represents the great work they do in every aspect from editing, to titling, to formatting, to cover illustrations, to printing, to marketing and publicity, to sales.
Much of the material for this story comes from my life. My husband and I are in that season when we’re coping with our own aging and that of our parents. No need to do much outside research when the hurdles regarding health and independence are at our own front doors. My love goes out to Mary and Stan Irvin and Larry and Janice Lyne. Our lives are enriched by the multigenerational nature of our lives. We’re blessed to have these experiences.
I truly appreciate the readers who make it possible for me to continue to write these books. Thank you for reading in an age when there are hundreds of other ways to fill your days.
Thank you to our Lord Jesus Christ. Every blessing flows through Him.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.The Amish educate their children through the eighth grade. They believe their children learn enough “book” education in this manner followed by “vocational training” for farm- and home-related tasks for the remainder of their youth. How do you feel about not offering higher education to children? Do you see value in steering children away from formal education in order to better control their exposure to outside culture?
2.Tamara wants to be a doctor. In order to continue her education, she must leave her family and her faith. Could you make that choice? Why or why not?
3.The Amish believe premarital sex is grounds for excommunication. How is this different from what the world tells us about confining sex to marriage? Has the church shifted in its acceptance of worldly views on this topic? How do you feel about this shift or lack thereof?
4.Hannah is required to do a kneeling confession in front of the congregation and spend six weeks under the bann. Do you feel that this is too harsh or not harsh enough punishment for her sin?
5.Scripture tells us we are to forgive the sin and accept the repentant sinner in our midst. If you were Hannah’s parents, could you forgive her sin? Could you forgive Thaddeus for his role in her situation?
6.Thaddeus decides not to marry Hannah despite being the father of her child. Do you think he had an obligation to marry her despite his feelings? Why or why not?
7.Not only did Thaddeus not marry Hannah, he chose not to beg forgiveness. Instead he left Jamesport. How do you feel about his choices? Do you think he’ll be able to leave behind the situation, or will it follow him to Indiana?
8.The Amish care for their elderly family members at home. It is rare for them to go to assisted-living facilities. They live in a dawdy haus and continue to contribute to the family. In Zechariah’s case, his disease limits his ability to function on his own, but he doesn’t want to give up his independence. Have you had to help an elderly family member who refuses to give up his or her independence? How have you handled it? Do you think Zechariah’s family handled it well? What would you have done differently?
9.The Amish choose their church leaders by lot. They have no additional training for preaching sermons or leading services. That also means the men cannot choose to become ministers. How do you feel about this method of choosing leaders? What are the pros and cons of this practice? How do you feel about women being unable to assume church leadership roles?
10.A member of an Amish church district is able to approach leadership and confess any sin with the understanding that he or she will be forgiven if repentant. This includes sin
s that may also be criminal such as spousal abuse. Do you believe the leadership is obligated to report these church members to legal authorities? Why or why not? Could you forgive someone who confessed to these types of crimes and repents? What is the role of the church in these situations?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo by Tim Irvin
KELLY IRVIN IS THE BESTSELLING author of the Every Amish Season and Amish of Bee County series. The Beekeeper’s Son received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, who called it a “beautifully woven masterpiece.” The two-time Carol Award finalist is a former newspaper reporter and retired public relations professional. Kelly lives in Texas with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin. They have two children, two grandchildren, and two cats. In her spare time, she likes to read books by her favorite authors.
Visit her online at KellyIrvin.com
Facebook: Kelly.Irvin.Author
Twitter: @Kelly_S_Irvin