by Jerry
Anyway, I disagree, and Janie can just feel however she wants to. This sentiment might be rubbing off on Amanda though, who is close to her. I guess I should have warned the boy from Arkansas that he needs to marry the oldest sister first, like Jacob of old, before he gets to the second sister. Hah! Now Janie will kill me for sure if she hears about this remark.
Last Sunday I was at Saul’s place after church with two other boys, and we all got on this subject. One of the boys thought Amanda shouldn’t have been so quick to drop the boy from Arkansas, and this set Janie off. She went into a long list of all the negatives of marriage. Bossy husbands, men eating food with their mouths open, extra laundry, children on the way, babies crying in the night, and keeping a husband’s bed warm.
Luella and Lonnie were there, so I think the last remark was directed toward Lonnie’s well-known need around here for cold night bed warming.
Anyway, Luella snorted and stuck up for Lonnie. “It’s worth it,” she said, “keeping a good husband warm. And you just don’t know what you’re missing.”
“I wouldn’t want his cold toenails warming up on my legs,” Janie shot back, and they were at it again.
Lonnie laughed through the whole thing and didn’t seem offended at all.
This afternoon Lonnie and Luella are taking their grandchildren home, and I’m going along for the ride. Not that I particularly wish to see more of the grandchildren, but it will help pass the time.
There is shopping planned for afterward. Mainly for Luella, as I don’t need anything. But if there is a bookstore in the mall, I will certainly visit it. I might even spend some hard-earned dollars if I can find a book that looks interesting enough.
I wonder what you’re doing at home. You probably have a get-together of some sort, and dinner, and a young folks gathering, but I will not torment myself with such thoughts any further.
Saturday…
It’s 9:30 on a Saturday morning, and I’m done filling out your birthday card. I’m afraid I won’t have much to give you for your birthday. A wonderful girl like you deserves more than my few purchases. I wish I were home to celebrate with you properly with homemade ice cream and pecan pie. I would even eat small portions myself just to mark the occasion.
Yesterday we left around 2:00 for the trip back with the grandchildren. We stopped at the bank so I could get money orders for income tax payments. Now that duty is off my mind. The forms were mailed this morning.
After dropping off the grandchildren, we ended up at the mall. You wouldn’t believe how many shopping malls they have around here. I purchased a new pair of Sunday shoes, which took a while to find, but they had what I wanted and the price was good.
Lonnie and Luella are planning on attending the Apostolic church tomorrow for something different to do. I learned a new superstition from Luella yesterday. She claims that whoever turns over the calendar in any given room is boss of that room for the month. I laughed at her, so she quickly ran to the calendar in the living room, which hadn’t been turned over yet, and turned it.
So to even things out, I checked their bedroom, and that calendar wasn’t turned yet, so I turned it. This is really ridiculous. I think it’s high time I find worthwhile things to do back home.
Well, I had better finish this extended letter. I wait impatiently to see you again. Whoa, here’s a poem yet. I hope you don’t tire of them.
I love you,
Eugene
A Ballad
Like a bud that doesn’t know
Into what it’s yet to grow,
So you are, my dear, so unaware
Of all the wonders you will bear.
Of all the happiness you’ll bring,
How you will set my heart to sing.
How wonderful your love does seem.
More than the world I deem.
None like you ever touched my life,
Or made me feel it worth the strife.
This world has been a better place
Since your love has left a taste.
And still the more I see of you,
The deeper grows the thought I knew.
That there is none that’s half as sweet,
A dearer one will I never meet,
And as I see these things in you,
I know that it is ever true,
That you have yet to touch your store
For deep within you lies yet more.
April 2
My dearest Eugene,
I finished the book you gave me, For Better or for Best, reading it through in two evenings. A wonderful book and interesting. Now, if I can only put what I learned into action.
I’m wide awake for how late it is. Tomorrow is communion church at Richard’s. I’m not exactly looking forward to sitting so long, as my back has been bothering me, but as long as I don’t bend over too far, I’m okay. My neck is stiff from pulling that taffy last night, but that was my own fault. It was fun though and well worth the pain afterward. I hope I won’t have to crane to see the minister tomorrow.
I really need to get to bed, so my love to you and take care. The closer the time comes to your arrival home, the happier I am and the more I long for you to be here.
I miss you,
Naomi
April 4
My dearest Naomi,
I finished reading your letter I received today. It was a very cheery one, which was nice. You don’t know how wonderful you are.
Now wait a minute. Why are you driving that wild horse of yours? I don’t think you should drive him under any conditions, even if you like excitement and adventure. I want you in one piece when I arrive home. So really now—take care.
The weather is currently rotten around here. It decided to put forth a little sunshine this morning, but soon it changed its mind. Now it’s pouring rain.
I’ll get your birthday present out tomorrow. It’s not too much of a gift, so don’t get your expectations up. I prefer for the package to arrive late rather than early, but it’s hard to judge with this mail system we have.
Just think, you’ll be twenty and of age next year. Isn’t that something? You’re all grown up, and I’m not there to celebrate. I would cry some tears, but that’s not going to help things.
On Thursday and Friday we’re having achievement tests at school. The lower grades go first on Thursday, followed by the upper grades on Friday. It’s an all-day affair for both days, with only the students who are taking the test present that day. These are the same tests the public school children take. They have to be properly timed. Two of the school board members’ wives will be present both days to monitor things. I guess in the minds of the authorities, we teachers are tempted to fudge the results.
With Thursday and Friday taken up, I have less time on my schedule than I thought. So I guess I’ll need to double up for several days to speed things along. It’s important that we finish all the books and keep good grades for all. I think we can, and everyone should pass with flying colors.
Luella allowed me to read the letter and card she’s sending you. I told her it wasn’t necessary, but she insisted. She said this would make her feel better. Tomorrow night is the big night with the annual “end of the year” school board meeting. Teachers don’t go. They elect a new board, and I suppose talk about what teachers to hire next year. I’ve already been told they plan to offer me another year if I want to accept. I told them I can’t.
Some of the boys want to go sparrow hunting again tonight. I imagine I’ll go along, even if the last few outings were flops. I think the sparrows have sent out scouts to monitor our movements each night.
I’ve informed the schoolchildren that if anyone wants to get sick they are to take the next two days to do so and not wait until Thursday or Friday. They thought that was funny, but I was serious.
I will be seeing you this very month! I can hardly get my mind around the fact. These four months since Christmas have been like centuries passing with the speed of glaciers. Lonnie laughed at me comin
g home from town the other Saturday. He said four months was nothing. But that’s what he thinks.
May the end come swiftly!
I long for you,
Eugene
April 6
Good morning, dearest Eugene,
This finds me quite sleepy. I haven’t been going to bed especially early. Then last night Richard and Joan had the young folks over to clean up the place. I really enjoyed the evening. It certainly was something different for a change. We were all supposed to wear boots and old clothing because they have lots of mud.
We girls worked together as a group, and the boys had their own jobs. Every time the girls finished a job, we’d ask Richard, “What’s next?”
Finally he said, “Not again!” and we all laughed.
I was picking up rotten boards in one place, and as I turned to take them to the trash I went right down into a hole. It was a fence-post hole full of water. My boot filled up with water and my lower dress and apron got all wet. I pulled the leg out, and the girls standing around me were wide-eyed trying not to laugh. Thinking I should say something, I blurted out, “I’m wet!”
They thought that was funny. I guess it was, but not at the moment as I headed off to dry out by the burn pile.
Tonight is the sewing, and I think volleyball is planned afterward. That makes two things for this week, but probably nothing for the rest of the month. Yuck! You’re lucky to have something going so often.
Well, I’d better get back to work.
Lots and lots of love,
Naomi
April 6
My dearest Naomi,
So the day after tomorrow is your birthday! I hope you can do something you enjoy. You deserve a treat. But likely you’ll be babysitting, if I know you.
We had a big flip-flop in the school plans. Instead of achievement tests on Thursday, there will be a regular day of school. Anthony and Larry’s uncle was killed last night. Their father called me this morning, and I notified the school board chairman right away. The board had a conference call and decided to change plans. That still leaves the upper grades on for Friday.
Since the upper graders had planned to be off on Thursday, there was plenty of grumbling today about having to be there. So I enjoyed a day of school with irate and emotional girls huffing and gruffing around the schoolhouse.
Tomorrow night there is a youth singing planned instead of the regular Bible study. They do this the first week of the month so the ones who don’t come to Bible study can attend. In case you wonder why they don’t come, some of the parents object to Stan’s Bible studies even though he is a minister now.
Have a happy birthday, Sweetheart. A very happy birthday indeed.
I love you,
Eugene
April 9
My dearest Eugene,
What a dreary day. I awoke to thunder and rain, but it’s supposed to be nice later, according to Dad’s weather forecasting. I hope so. I can’t remember when we last had a really beautiful day. Oh well, this is spring arriving, I’m sure.
Thank you very, very, much for the beautiful motto, the pin with the words: “Someone Loves You,” and the lovely poem in the letter. I do so love that little pin. It’s so cute. I wore it this evening at the supper table, and Dad got this amused smile of his. Thank you so much.
I’m glad you didn’t get me too much because I’m afraid I won’t be able to get you that much on your birthday. Mainly because of the shortage of money around here. I don’t think the farm is doing that well, and now my babysitting wages after the wedding will come my way instead of going to Mom and Dad. I know it has to be that way, but I feel sorry for them.
The schoolchildren received their report cards a few days ago, and Larry had two F’s again! Can you believe that? One was in geography and the other in reading. He was given a hard time for it, which he should have been. Wait until I get a hold of him. His ears will be red indeed. There’s no sense in one of my relatives doing that poorly in school. The boy is smart if he would apply himself.
We went past the cabinet shop on the state road yesterday, and the Waglers had put out “Happy Birthday, Naomi” on their sign. The gesture sent warm circles around my heart. Now if you were here, the day would have been perfect even with the rain.
Janie had better not talk you out of marriage or I will have something to say to her. She is the limit. What’s wrong with the girl? Perhaps she hasn’t met the right person yet? Someone like you—but don’t be getting any ideas. You are not available anymore.
Oh, Darrel Hooley has given up on his Amish joining idea. I’m not sure what all the reasons are, since I heard them secondhand, but he’s not staying at Harvey’s any longer. I think that’s sad, and I’m sure you also do, even with your pretend fits of jealousy. It’s hard to join the Amish if you weren’t raised in the faith.
The time is getting closer! Yippee…
I love you,
Naomi
April 9
Hi, dearest Naomi,
I do love you, although you might not love me after you get done turning this page upside down and then right side up each time you read a new line. Sorry. I’m bored, but even if I’m mean, I can still be sweet.
I received a letter from Darrell Hooley today saying he has changed his plans on joining the Amish. That’s a shame, if you ask me. The man had such high hopes that this was the answer to his spiritual needs. Well, I guess we all change our minds, and he has decided to return to the Englisha way.
Apparently his job at the hospital has a lot to do with his decision. He has extensive medical training and is loath to try another profession at his age. Bishop Enos thought they could make it work, but there were some of the ministers who had questions. When Darrell found that out, it pushed him over the edge, he said.
I’m sorry I won’t get to meet him, but perhaps he’ll still be around somewhere when I get back. He sounds like an interesting person—as long as you’re not driving him to the hymn singings. By the way, did the buggy wheels ever fall off? I was hoping they would at least wobble a little, but fat chance on that.
There’s not much going on around here. The upper graders had their achievement tests, and now the long weekend is upon me. But I will not complain. The time for leaving draws nigh.
I still love you.
Eugene
April 10
My dearest Eugene,
Mom and Dad went along to the singing tonight at Harvey’s place, which was good because our single buggy is on the blink and we drove the surrey. I would have felt like an old maid pulling in with that thing, even with Don driving. We stayed for ice cream afterward—on special invitation, of course.
I heard today that Adam and Brenda have moved their wedding date, but that our date in June should still be okay. I asked Ruth tonight to be table waiter with Jason, and she was thrilled so that should be taken care of.
Sarah teased me this afternoon, wanting to make sure I really wanted to get married. She informed me I was going to miss the young folks terribly. Which might be true, but I will have you, and that is so much better. The girl teases a lot, but I love being around her. She can make me laugh quicker than any of the other girls, and there is never a dull moment around her.
Sometimes I can hardly believe or understand why I should be so blessed with someone as wonderful as you. You light up my life.
Missing you,
Naomi
April 11
Dearest Naomi,
Much to my disappointment, I haven’t received your next letter yet. Well, this way I can look forward to the occasion tomorrow.
More food supplements arrived today from the doctor in Missouri. That’s the last shipment from his prescribed treatment. I should now be on my way to permanent good health. At least that’s what he says. And I do feel good, so why not believe him? The diet has been excellent for me, and I have no complaints—even with all the horrible food I have to eat.
Saturday is my planned trip to Chicago becaus
e the last date was cancelled. This time, hopefully, nothing will come up, but you never know. Preacher Stan has been telling me for some time he wants me over for supper, and last night he said this Saturday would be a great weekend for it.
“I’m going to Chicago with Richard,” I told him.
“Oh, no,” he groaned. “Then maybe we can plan for next Saturday.”
I accepted gladly, so the rest of my Saturdays here are taken care of.
There is a funeral here in the community on Thursday, and I figured I would lose another school day, as they usually cancel for such events. The school board consulted amongst themselves and thought otherwise since none of the students are close relatives. So we will have the lower graders’ achievement tests that day.
Remember the arithmetic race from way back? It has finally concluded, and Dawn took first place. Instead of simply handing out the prizes, I told the children there would be a treasure hunt before school closes. I’m trying to liven up these last few days for one and all. They will find the prizes at the end of the hunt.
Tuesday evening…
Here I am again, home from school and all cleaned up for the evening with no place to go. What a bummer that is. I forgot to ask in my last letter what you did for your birthday.
I’m working the poor students half to death at school, trying to get done with the schedule. The fast ones are keeping up, but the slower ones are sweating. Somewhere I miscalculated the timing, and now I’m rushing to complete the books. Hopefully the students will survive.
My goal is to have little work planned for the last week so we can practice the “last day of school” program. They don’t have “last day of school” festivities here as I’m used to, with games all day, but only the evening program, where the whole community is invited.
Did you used to hate vocabulary in school? I know I did, and there seems to be a large number of the students here who also do. Perhaps the disease is catching? But hooray! This week will be the last of that, with the final test next week.