by Nancy M Bell
Everyone was terrified. I was certain the train was going to be carried away and us with it. Finally we left the funnel behind us still tearing up the land. Then the rain lessened and the sun came out. It was a glorious sight, pale blue sky peeking through the dark clouds and the most magnificent rainbow. It reached from one side to the other, intact, not a partial one like we so often see. And the glory of it! The colours were so vivid and there were actually two rainbows, one inside the arch of the other. Of course, we’ve all heard about tornadoes, I just never thought I’d ever get to see one. As I said before, both awe inspiring and terrifying.
I believe, and I told Arnold this as well, that the storm and then the rainbows were a sign that we were doing the right thing and God approved of our decision to move to Mexico. The storm was like the hard times we’ve been through, but we’ve left that all behind us now and the rainbows are a promise of better things to come. It’s all in God’s hands and I trust Him.
We finally crossed into Texas and arrived in Austin. I don’t know what I expected Austin to be like, but it was nothing like what I imagined it would be. Enough said about that for now. I’ll write more later. Then we changed trains again, leaving Austin for Presidio, Texas which is right across the border from Ojinaga, Mexico. Finally, we crossed into the country that would be our new home.
The heat was like an oven. Hot and dry and the air seemed to suck the moisture out of my skin. My face felt like it would crack if I smiled or talked. The sun burned me even through my clothes and I was very glad I had brought more than a few bonnets as it didn’t take long for them to become wet with sweat.
When we arrived there was a delegation at the station in Cuauhlemoc to meet us and Mary was there as well. I was so happy to see her. I can’t tell you how it felt to see a familiar face in that sea of strangers. I quite embarrassed myself by laughing and hugging her. Not at all like a mature married lady should act, but I couldn’t help myself. I soon got myself under control as there was much to organize regarding getting our belongings from the train and packing them into the vehicles brought to meet us. I found out that they don’t often use the vehicles except for farming and special occasions like this. Mostly it is horse and buggy or walking. I’m sure I’ll get used to things in short order.
I must thank you, Mome, for insisting I learn Spanish. The form they speak here is a bit different than what you learned in Paraguay, but it helps immensely. It’s only when dealing with people outside of the colony that language is an issue at all since we mostly communicate in Low German amongst ourselves.
I will close now and promise to write again soon. I’m very happy to be here finally, but I miss you all very much. Please give Sadie a hug for me on her wedding day and give her our best wishes for a happy life. You can write to me at the address on the top of this letter.
God bless you and keep you safe.
Your loving daughter, Sarah.
That’s the end of it.” Ike folded the sheets and handed them to Elsie who slid the paper back into the envelope and propped it against the sugar bowl.
“She sounds happy,” Agnes offered. “I just can’t imagine being that far away from everyone here, but I’m glad for her if it’s truly what she wants.”
“We all wish her happiness,” Ike said. He pushed his chair back and got to his feet, snugging his cap down on his iron grey hair as he stepped into the mud room. “Still some things that need tending to before supper.”
Walter followed him out. Elsie started to work on supper while Agnes went to check on the twins. It was all too quiet which usually meant there was some devilment in the works. Elsie allowed herself a small smile at the trouble those two could get into. Doris reminded her sharply of Anna sometimes which sent a spear of loss through her heart. Hopefully the younger girl learned something from her sister’s death. Such a tragedy, she shook her head while her hands were busy making coleslaw. Just that morning she’d walked out to the hill where Blackie was buried to tend the small rose bush Anna had so lovingly planted. Anna and her animals…
* * *
Sunday June 1st, 1947 was bright and clear with the promise of heat later in the day. Elsie took longer than usual getting ready. She paid special attention to her hair, still thick and shining. Tipping her head this way and that to catch the beams of light coming in the bedroom window she admired the way the pure silver streaks of age served to highlight rather than detract from the over-all affect. Unlike Ike, whose hair was a stronger iron grey, Elsie was pleased her blond hair had faded to a silver that shimmered in the light. Like angel hair, Ike often told her.
The dress she selected was new, bought at Eaton’s in Winnipeg for just this occasion. The pale rose colour suited her, she thought eyeing herself critically in the mirror. Smoothing the material over her hips Elsie smiled at her image in the looking glass. Satisfied all was in order, she picked up the matching hat and sat it on her head at a jaunty angle. She almost forgot her purse lying on the chair by the bed, but remembered it just in time before she left the room.
Ike was already outside with the big touring car he’d borrowed from one of his onkels. Elsie really preferred to take the horse and buggy to church. There was something about the slow pace and the rhythm of Polly’s hooves on the road. God seemed all around her in the golden morning sunlight streaming across the land, the heady scent of roses blooming by the side of the road and later the sweet heavenly perfume of large clumps of milkweed where butterflies and bees flitted to and fro going about their business. She had to admit the vehicles were better on days when the weather was less than cooperative, but the horse and buggy would always own a small piece of her heart.
No time for wool gathering, she reminded herself taking the last few risers of the stairs and halting in the dim coolness of the hall. Agnes came down the stairs behind her mother herding the twins before her. They were dressed in their new clothes bought for Easter on the same shopping trip Elsie bought the dress she was wearing. The shining innocence on their small faces brought a smile to Elsie’s face even while a surge of protectiveness engulfed her. What she wouldn’t do keep the little ones from losing that uninhibited joy and belief the world was a kind and loving place. Goodness, I’m indulging in odd thoughts today when all I should be thinking of is Sadie and Corny getting married.
“Are we ready?” Elsie bent to adjust the tiny hat on Doris’s fair hair.
“I think so. All we have to do is get these two in the car without getting a speck of dirt on them.” Agnes gave a rueful smile. “Walter’s already gone out, he’s waiting with Pape.”
“We’d best get out there too then.” Elsie led the way through the living room and out the front door.
The big car purred in the drive, the back doors open. Walter swooped in and picked up Willy before he could kick his newly polished black shoes in the dust. He deposited the boy in the back of the car and turned to assist Doris who was daintily picking her way toward him. Elsie and Agnes settled on the back seat, one on either side of the twins. Walter and Ike got in the front and Ike put the car in gear.
“Roll your window up, Ike. The wind is going to ruin my hair,” Elsie complained.
“It’s hot, Elsie.”
“My hair, Ike. And the dust is coming in. I don’t want to show up at church all gritty and dirty.”
“Please, Pape? It’s hard enough getting these two cleaned up and harder keeping them that way.” Agnes wiped a smudge of dirt off Willy’s cheek with a handkerchief.
“Fine.” Both men rolled up the front windows except for a tiny crack at the top. The action was accompanied by long suffering sighs.
It was hot, Elsie allowed. But a little heat was preferably to windblown hair and dusty clothes. Mercifully, the journey to church was quick in the fancy car. She stroked the material of the seat. It truly was a nice vehicle and very kind of Ike’s onkel to lend it to them so everyone could make the trip up to St. Vital to see the newlyweds off. A spurt of panic made her lean forward and tap Ike on the
shoulder.
“You did put the picnic basket in the trunk, didn’t you? I left it on the kitchen table and totally forgot to check before I came out.”
“Yes, Elsie. It’s safely tucked away in the back, along with the going away present you want to give Sadie.” Ike caught her gaze in the rear view mirror for a moment, amusement crinkling the corners of his blue eyes.
“Thank you for that.” She settled back and tried to ignore the way her dress stuck to her back.
Ike parked the big sedan with a flourish under the shade of the line of Manitoba maples. A blessed breeze wafted over Elsie’s skin when she opened the door. After getting out, she straightened her dress, smoothing the creases out and shaking the skirt so it fell softly around her. Taking a handkerchief she leaned down and wiped Doris’s smudged face while Agnes ministered to Willy. Agnes took the twins’ hands and started toward the church. Ike and Walter wandered off to speak with the other men gathered in the shade by the side of the building.
Elsie surveyed the people gathered, searching for Sadie and Susan in the small crowd. She spied them in the midst of a small group of women. Recognizing her daughters and daughters-in-law she hurried toward them. Sadie looked radiant, blond hair shining golden in the sun. A luminous string of pearls encircled her throat and small pearl studs adorned her ears. A gift from Susan and Martin to commemorate her baptism, the occasion of her joining the church, and her wedding day. Elsie thought of the small gift still in the trunk of the car. There would be plenty of time later for her to give it to Sadie.
“You look wonderful.” Elsie hugged her granddaughter as she joined the group.
“Thank you, Oma.”
“How did your catechism go?” She smiled already knowing the answer.
“I did well. Poor Corny struggled a bit with some of it, but the pastor was pleased enough, so nothing stands in the way of our marriage. There were some other instructions for the baptism candidates and then we were baptised on our confession of faith in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” Sadie’s smile was brilliant.
“Let me borrow my granddaughter for a moment.” Elsie took Sadie’s gloved hand and led her a short way away from the group. “Now Sadie, did Susan have a chance to speak with you about your duty to your husband?”
Sadie’s cheeks flushed pink and a dimple appeared in her cheek at the corner of her mouth. “She did, yes. I realize that living together as man and wife there will have to be some adjustments and compromises made. Mome has impressed on me the importance of respecting my husband and his wishes.”
“That’s good, then. A wife should look to her husband for guidance and protection. She should defer to his wisdom in all things. You realize that, don’t you?” Elsie raised an eyebrow at her.
Sadie threw her head back in peals of laughter. “Oh Oma. If you could see your face!” She giggled again. “You look so serious. Of course I realize that. Haven’t I watched my parents, and you and Opa, while I’ve been growing up? Please don’t worry about me. Mome was very thorough in her explanation and instructions.” She hugged Elsie close. “I love you, Oma. And I’m going to miss you very much.”
“And I you, Sadie.” Elsie released her granddaughter and smoothed her dress again.
“It’s time! Hurry along, Sadie,” Susan called from the church steps where the congregation was starting to file into the dim interior.
Grasping her hand Sadie pulled Elsie toward the church. The pale peach dress she wore was simple and suited her youthfulness. The matching shawl had small cream flowers in the pattern which highlighted the delicate flush on her cheeks. Elsie’s heart swelled with pride at the picture her granddaughter made, laughing in the June sunlight.
The inside smelled of beeswax and lemon along with the peculiar scent of books and onion paper when Elsie stepped into the cool of the interior. She took her place in the pew with the rest of the females in her family. Sadie squeezed her hand before releasing it. This would be the last time Sadie sat with the family during service. Elsie’s vision blurred a little and she blinked back the moisture gathering on her lashes. Such a day of joy and of sadness. Just as in life, she supposed. Happiness and joy leavened with a dollop of sadness and duty. She pulled the well-thumbed gesangbuch out of her purse and opened it to the selection indicated by the Vorsängers.
The familiar service flowed around her. Elsie paid attention and joined her voice in the praise of the Lord, Sadie’s clear soprano soaring to the rafters beside her. When the regular service came to a close, Susan opened the cardboard box she’d carried into the church and handed Sadie a small bouquet of wild flowers and roses. Small shooting stars nodded over the brilliant yellow of marsh marigold, along with the yellow throated purple spikes of wild iris. Delicate feathery fronds of yarrow draped artistically from the sides and bottom of the arrangement. The twins had wanted to include the last of the tiny purple violets that were so fragrant, but the sweet smelling blooms were far too delicate and tiny to last. The whole bouquet was tied together with wide pale yellow and cream ribbon. Sadie’s eyes were shining as she went to join her husband to be.
Another couple were also being married at the same time. They were also part of the group leaving for Paraguay that afternoon. Memories flooded Elsie’s mind as the couples pledged their faith and took their vows. Were her and Ike ever that young and full of excitement at the promise of adventure and new life? A sigh escaped her. It seemed a long time ago now, that thrill of thinking about the long journey on the ship and the time to just get to know her new husband better. She remembered the happiness and contentment of those long days and nights.
She joined in the hymns and songs praising God and his love and asking his blessing on the young couples.
After the ceremony the newly married couples left the church followed by the congregation. Family and friends were invited to Susan and Martin’s farm for a lunch before the trek to St. Vital. Elsie pushed the knowledge of Sadie’s imminent departure to the back of her mind and determined to enjoy the upcoming celebration. The long tables under the trees by the house were loaded with potato salads, cheese, pickles, soups, and different types of bread along with roasts of ham and chickens. A special treat of watermelon with follkuaken was also present Everyone had contributed to the feast. Ike had driven Elsie and Agnes’ contributions over earlier that morning almost before the sun was up.
Elsie found a quiet time during the chaos to draw Sadie aside and present her with the small gift.
“Grossmama, it’s lovely.” Sadie stroked the pebbled leather cover of the Bible.
“I’m glad you like it. It’s the Bible my mother gave me on my wedding day and just before your grosspape and I left for Paraguay. I want you to have it and you can pass it on to your children when the time comes. Your opa and I wish you and Corny every happiness, Mrs. Hildebrand.”
“Mrs. Hidebrand. Do you think I’ll ever get used to being called that? It sounds so grown up, and I don’t feel that way at all. I’m all giddy and so full of happiness.”
“That’s exactly how you’re supposed to feel on your wedding day, Sadie. Full of happiness and promises.”
“Oh, Oma! I’m going to miss you most of all.” Tears sprang to her eyes.
“Now, now. No tears. This is a happy day. Your past will always be with you, but the time has come to look forward, to your future. Yours and Corny’s. You will always have a place here, Mrs. Hildebrand. Now, I think I see Hilda looking for you. You best go see what your new mother-in-law wants. I see Jacob over by the house speaking with Corny, looks like a father son talk, so I imagine Hilda wants to have a private conversation with her new daughter.”
“I love you, Oma. And thank you.” Sadie hugged her and kissed both cheeks before hurrying off across the grass toward where Hilda Hildebrand waited.
Before it seemed possible it was time for those who were accompanying the emigrants to St. Vital to depart. Agnes and Helena, along with Nettie, Betty and Frieda volunteered to take care of chores
and clear up the remains of the celebration so Susan and Martin could ride with Ike and Elsie in the big Tudor sedan. Elsie hesitated with one foot already in the door of the car when she caught sight of Sadie standing off by herself under the big apple tree she used to love to climb as a child. She rested her hand on the smooth bark and seemed to be trying to commit the scene to memory. Elsie empathised with her. She’d done the same thing on her wedding day before leaving for what she thought was forever.
“Mome, come on. Get in, everyone’s leaving,” Susan urged Elsie from inside the car.
“Coming.” Elsie eased through the open door, settling in the seat. Her feet hurt in the new shoes and there seemed to be grit inside the collar of the new dress irritating the back of her neck. With the evening the day would cool off, but at the moment the June sun was still high and hot in the afternoon sky.
“All set?” Ike put the car in gear and the engine purred as they pulled away. The windows were rolled partway down, but Elsie was more interested in being cool at the moment. She pulled the pins holding her hat from her hair and set it on her lap. Beside her Susan did the same, laying her head back on the seat and closing her eyes.
“It doesn’t seem possible my Sadie is married. I swear it was only yesterday when she was running around chasing butterflies and learning to sew.”
“It seems like only yesterday you were doing the same thing, and now you’ve got a married daughter going off to Paraguay.” Elsie smiled at her.
Elsie must have dozed off in the heat, she didn’t remember closing her eyes, but when she opened them they were pulling into the parking lot by the train station. A small picnic was laid out under some trees on a patch of grass and the more intimate goodbyes of immediate family were said. Baskets of sandwiches and snacks for the journey were brought out and given to the travellers, and before it seemed credible it was time for the emigrants to board the train cars. Elsie stood in the crush of well-wishers gathered to see the travellers off. Sadie and Corny leaned out the open window of their train car, calling goodbyes and waving. They looked so happy and sure of themselves, Elsie thought. Please God, let all their dreams come true. Let them always be as happy with each other as they are today.