on nearly ten years ago, when Miriam was still a teenage girl. She had never been close to her maternal grandfather and didn’t know him that well. Her paternal grandparents were still living, though their health had failed in the last few years. Miriam figured it wouldn’t be long before they were gone, too.
Papa’s somber funeral service began early in the morning and was held in the Stoltzfus home. Miriam, dressed all in black, as were the other family members, was relieved thatshe had managed to get through the ordeal without falling apart. She was determined to be strong for her mother and not give in to the tears pushing against her eyelids, for if Mom saw her daughter crying, she was sure to fall apart.
After the funeral was over, the procession to the cemetery followed, and a short time later, Miriam huddled with her family and friends to watch as Papa’s plain pine box was taken from the horse-drawn hearse and set in place at the burial site. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the memory of her final look at Papa’s face before the lid on the coffin had been closed. Though the local undertaker had done a fine job, Miriam’s father no longer looked like himself, and the stark reality that Papa was gone was almost more than she could bear.
Why, Lord? Why?
she asked, as unbidden tears slipped from under her lashes.
How could You have taken Papa from us?
Miriam forced her eyes open and glanced to her right, where her mother stood, openly weeping as the bishop said the final words over her husband of thirty-five years.
Is Mom strong enough to make it without Papa? Will I be able to offer her the kind of emotional support she will need in the days to come? Do I have enough strength for the both of us?
With a heavy heart and a firm resolve, Miriam decided that she must be determined. Through her own sheer will, she would do whatever it took to remain strong for Mom and the rest of the family.
When the graveside service concluded, everyone climbed into their buggies. Then, the buggy Miriam rode in with Mom and Lewis led the way back to their farm, where they would share a meal with those who had come to say good-bye toMiriam’s father and offer condolences to the family.
Miriam didn’t feel the least bit hungry, but rather than draw attention to the fact that she wasn’t eating, she put a sandwich, some dilled cucumbers, and a piece of gingerbread on her plate. Then she picked up a glass of iced tea and made her way to the stream, where she could be alone. Friends and family had been dropping by the house ever since the news of Papa’s death, and today nearly everyone in their community seemed to be present. Miriam needed some quiet time away from all the sympathetic looks and consoling words.
As Miriam approached the stream, she noticed a change in leaves on the trees and realized that they were on the verge of being kissed by crimson colors as fall crept in. Something about the peacefulness of the water gurgling over the rocks and the gentle wind caressing her face caused Miriam to think about Nick McCormick. Perhaps it was only the fact that the two of them had visited in this same spot several months before that brought his name to mind.
Miriam’s face flushed. Just thinking about how the obstinate man had sneaked up on her with his camera and how he had taken a picture with her hair uncovered and hanging down her back made her feel almost giddy. Now wouldn’t that have made a fine photo for the
Daily Express
?
What was there about Nick that made her feel these unexplained emotions? She had only seen him on three occasions, and each time he had succeeded in making her angry, but he’d also made her smile.
William had been the only man with whom Miriam had ever shared her deepest thoughts and dreams, and whenhe left her for another woman, she had vowed never to get close to another man again. While she wasn’t exactly close to Nick, for some reason she had let her guard down. Was it
Papa’s somber funeral service began early in the morning and was held in the Stoltzfus home. Miriam, dressed all in black, as were the other family members, was relieved thatshe had managed to get through the ordeal without falling apart. She was determined to be strong for her mother and not give in to the tears pushing against her eyelids, for if Mom saw her daughter crying, she was sure to fall apart.
After the funeral was over, the procession to the cemetery followed, and a short time later, Miriam huddled with her family and friends to watch as Papa’s plain pine box was taken from the horse-drawn hearse and set in place at the burial site. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the memory of her final look at Papa’s face before the lid on the coffin had been closed. Though the local undertaker had done a fine job, Miriam’s father no longer looked like himself, and the stark reality that Papa was gone was almost more than she could bear.
Why, Lord? Why?
she asked, as unbidden tears slipped from under her lashes.
How could You have taken Papa from us?
Miriam forced her eyes open and glanced to her right, where her mother stood, openly weeping as the bishop said the final words over her husband of thirty-five years.
Is Mom strong enough to make it without Papa? Will I be able to offer her the kind of emotional support she will need in the days to come? Do I have enough strength for the both of us?
With a heavy heart and a firm resolve, Miriam decided that she must be determined. Through her own sheer will, she would do whatever it took to remain strong for Mom and the rest of the family.
When the graveside service concluded, everyone climbed into their buggies. Then, the buggy Miriam rode in with Mom and Lewis led the way back to their farm, where they would share a meal with those who had come to say good-bye toMiriam’s father and offer condolences to the family.
Miriam didn’t feel the least bit hungry, but rather than draw attention to the fact that she wasn’t eating, she put a sandwich, some dilled cucumbers, and a piece of gingerbread on her plate. Then she picked up a glass of iced tea and made her way to the stream, where she could be alone. Friends and family had been dropping by the house ever since the news of Papa’s death, and today nearly everyone in their community seemed to be present. Miriam needed some quiet time away from all the sympathetic looks and consoling words.
As Miriam approached the stream, she noticed a change in leaves on the trees and realized that they were on the verge of being kissed by crimson colors as fall crept in. Something about the peacefulness of the water gurgling over the rocks and the gentle wind caressing her face caused Miriam to think about Nick McCormick. Perhaps it was only the fact that the two of them had visited in this same spot several months before that brought his name to mind.
Miriam’s face flushed. Just thinking about how the obstinate man had sneaked up on her with his camera and how he had taken a picture with her hair uncovered and hanging down her back made her feel almost giddy. Now wouldn’t that have made a fine photo for the
Daily Express
?
What was there about Nick that made her feel these unexplained emotions? She had only seen him on three occasions, and each time he had succeeded in making her angry, but he’d also made her smile.
William had been the only man with whom Miriam had ever shared her deepest thoughts and dreams, and whenhe left her for another woman, she had vowed never to get close to another man again. While she wasn’t exactly close to Nick, for some reason she had let her guard down. Was it
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