This article is a part of "The Amish Cook Column", a weekly series of featuring a story & recipe from Gloria Yoder, Amish widow2 & mother of six from Flat Rock, Illinois
Graduation day dawned crisp and beautiful. It was a day I looked forward to with a keen sense of sadness. How is one supposed to feel when your baby girl graduates eighth grade? I don't know, so I'll quit trying to decide what it should be like and just be me.
Fifteen years ago Daniel and I eagerly anticipated the arrival of our firstborn. When we learned it was a girl we were elated. Weeks before, baby clothes were washed and prepared. Due to minor complications she was born in Ohio where trained midwives took the challenge. My dream came true. I was a mommy for real. Life changed dramatically as we shared our time with our darling daughter. We loved her, and with some time we found our new niche.
A little over a year later we were delighted to watch her take her first steps; by then she was bonding more and more with her daddy. I don't know who had the most fun as he pitched her in the air and caught her. Some of my fondest memories of the three of us is when we went camping together at a local state park for a few nights.
When preschool started, Daddy would set her on the back of his bike and pedal her to school, which was a mile from where we lived at the time.
When first grade rolled around our hearts once more welled with joy; our little treasure was growing up. "Look out," people would say. "When they start going to school, before you know it they'll be through all eight grades."
She loved when we would bring hot lunch or when Daddy came for devotions.
As four brothers and a sister were added to the family she loved on them all and shared her parents with them. Daddy was who she adored, and in her young mind, was perfect.
When she was 10 years old Daddy was in the hospital between life and death. I watched as he left earth behind. Instinctively I flung myself crosswise over the body of my husband, sobbing, "Julia, Julia, Julia..." I could see no way that life could continue for her without her daddy. I wept for her, then for the other children, then the reality of being a widow.
It was not the end of the tears, but it was also not the end of the story. The One true Father watched as Julia and I grieved with the rest of the children. She was not forsaken, neither were any of us. Last spring when the Father in heaven called her she answered and became adopted into His family through the redemption in Jesus Christ. It became real to her that unless she asks Him to cleanse and forgive her, she will not be able to live in true joy and abundant life. The Bible tells us that in heaven the angels rejoice when one sinner, or soul, repents. With the angels, we rejoiced in her love relationship with Jesus Himself.
What I could never do for her is provided by the Maker Himself. If you have not found that heart connection with Him in your own life, don't give up. If we seek, we find.
Now graduation day was approaching. It was a time of keen anticipation for the milestone, mingled with sadness of the empty spot. Julia and I knew that the God of heaven could not and would not forsake us now.
Yesterday morning Joshua sat with me as we listened with keen interest as they sang songs and shared inspirations centering around the passage in Ephesians that tells of putting on the armor of God to stand against the enemy of our souls. They demonstrated it by dressing Austin like a soldier; piece by piece they gave him portions of the armor, declaring what each item was for. Boots were given which he wore as the Gospel of Peace, a sword (cardboard) for the Spirit, a helmet of salvation, girt with truth (homemade apron), and a breastplate for righteousness, and a shield of faith. When they finished he joined the others in singing of being protected by the armor of God. Truly, if we ask to be protected by the armor He provides, we will not only be saved but also blessed.
Last of all Julia stood to the front and shared her poem. The last lines stood out to me: And may I ever be aware, In everything I do, That knowledge comes from learning, And wisdom comes from You.
The children were all seated and Cousin Josh made final announcements, acknowledging the milestone etched with pain and gladness. In closing he suggested we sing the song we as a church have sung many times since Daniel went to heaven. It was Daniel's favorite, which he led many times when we sang as a family.
The afternoon passed with annual softball games of the parents playing the students. It's a time for everyone to just enjoy each other and cheer for others, regardless of who is on what team. Snacks were served throughout the afternoon. We took root beer floats as a little bonus on behalf of Julia's graduation. The younger children spent most of the afternoon taking barrel train rides around and around the premises. A John Deere garden tractor served as the engine. A few games of volleyball topped off the day. It was past suppertime when we returned home; everyone was sun-kissed, tired, but happy.
Check out this week's recipe for Homemade Strawberry Delight!
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