By Gloria Yoder
As you recall, last week a widow from Ohio, whom I had never met before, offhandedly invited me to come to a widow gathering in Holmes County, Ohio.
By 8:40 the next morning I had traveled another hour east, where I got off the van and walked toward this huge building, not knowing if I'd know a single soul besides the lady I had met the night before. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by seas of unknown faces, but in some ways it felt more like family — I knew we shared similar stories. At about that moment, this dear lady showed up with a warm welcome, and take this — she had been sitting clear on the other side of the building and at this very moment had come up front, not thinking she would meet me. I was pleased to follow her to her table. But first I helped myself to a cream stick, not because I was hungry, but it would give me something to do. After all, just the day before I had made the remark about how I'd enjoy having a cream stick — now I smiled. God has a way of bringing things around, doesn't He?!
I had never before seen so many people who had walked similar journeys. As it turned out, there were probably 300 widows and 125 widowers. By 10:00, the Toby Graber family stood to sing for us. I absorbed it; their family has also experienced death in their midst and had walked the path of foster care and adoption. It was evident that their family has a heart for those who are hurting or alone. I was deeply touched to see how God brought me to the right place at the right time to meet them and simply receive what God had for me through them. I loved watching the three generations as they all sang unashamedly. It was not about style or prestige, but simply being who they were and allowing God to flow through them.
Lunch was delicious. We all filed through to have our plates filled. I did eat a bit, but my heart was so full I didn't need much food. After lunch I connected with more widows — some I hadn't known, and others I've known for years who have walked this way much longer than I have. One widow especially touched deep chords. As a girl, we'd go to see her. We'd take a box of groceries, and Mom would help her with whatever needed to be done as they talked. I can still see the look in this widow's eyes back in the day. They spoke of pain, questions, and the realities of the missing father figure in their family. She would tell Mom how she and her seven children lived in the hope that maybe Jesus would return today — maybe today. Today her eyes shone, not only with hope, but with true vibrancy. It was evident that her Maker was her husband, as we are promised in the Bible. I listened with open ears as she expounded on the hard times and on how God brought them through. I loved the remark she made when she spoke of talking to God. This is what she said: "Well, you just talk to God all the time — it's all you have!" Yes, Lord, bring it on.
The afternoon was wrapped up with Jimmy Farmwald playing harmonica with other boys and men, followed by his family singing for a good while. Again, knowing a portion of their story blessed my heart. Theirs has not been an easy journey in numerous ways. When I was 16 years old I spent an evening with them and several more families of their church. The life in Jesus could be felt that night as we sang and they harped. Best of all was holding their son, who was several months old at the time. Due to a sickness he had, they knew he would soon go to be with Jesus. Holding him throughout that evening made me feel so close to God Himself — after all, he was getting ready to go so soon! I looked at him again and again and marveled over his innocence and the reality of what would soon unfold for him. At six months old, he was granted to go, and though I did not make it to that funeral, something deep inside me stirred: we were all made to go. One day, if we are ready to go and our sins are under the blood, it would happen to each of us — oh, glory!
It was hard to leave all these dear widows I had gotten to know, yet I was blessed. Songs echoed in my heart as we traveled toward Danville to pick up the children, who had spent the day with family. It was time to head back home to familiar territory and face life again. Now, as I continue to care for my family, I sometimes just visualize myself sitting at the table in that gathering, absorbing the goodness of God through song. Somehow it helps me to face the minute — or second — at hand.
BAKED CREAM STICKS
1 cup shortening
1 1 /4 cup mashed potatoes
1 quart milk, scalded
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 /2 cup warm water
3 packages yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
6 eggs, beaten
11 – 12 cups flour
FILLING:
2 cups milk
6 tablespoons clear jel
Pinch salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups sugar
1 1 /2 cups Crisco
CARAMEL ICING:
1 /2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 /4 cup milk
2 cups powdered sugar
In a large bowl put shortening, potatoes, milk, sugar, and salt. Stir until shortening and sugar are dissolved. Put warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Add eggs and yeast to first mixture. Stir in enough flour until dough is not sticky. Cover, let rise until double. Roll out dough. Cut in 1 X 3 inch strips. Let rise until double. Bake at 350 for 15 – 20 minutes. Let set until they are cold. Cut a slit on top and put in filling. Then top with favorite icing.
Filling instructions: combine milk, clear jel, and salt in saucepan. Cook until thick. Add vanilla and cool. Cream together sugar and Crisco. Mix with cold cooked mixture and mix well.
Icing instructions: Melt butter, add sugar and cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring. Add milk and stir until it boils. Cool. Add powdered sugar.
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