The Beloved Christmas Quilt

by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ; Brunstetter, Jean; Brunstetter, Richelle

  Roseanna giggled and, of course, Mary joined in.

  As Seth pulled the calendar off the wall, a pigeon swooped down from the rafters near his head. He hollered, and the girls jumped. Roseanna dropped her shovel.

  “That was a little unexpected.” He chuckled and shook off the event. Seth pushed up his straw hat. “Well, girls, do you know what is coming up next month?” He knelt down to their level, smiling.

  Roseanna came closer. “I don’t know.”

  Mary copied her big sister and wrinkled her little nose.

  “Well, your mamm and I have a little surprise for you both. We’ll tell you all about it at lunch.” He reached around the girls and hugged them.

  Seth went back to shoveling out the other stall. “We need to get our work done. Then we’ll head back into the house to see how your mommy is doing.”

  Karen headed to Nancy Anne’s room to check on her. Her baby was wide awake this morning, looking up at Karen and holding her chubby arms out. Nancy Anne smiled wide while being lifted out of the crib. Karen carried her over to the changing table to put on a new diaper. “How are you doing this morning, my littlest one?” Karen slipped Nancy Anne into a fresh outfit then carried her to the kitchen, where she fixed some baby cereal.

  Since Nancy Anne could topple over easily, Karen set her in a car seat whenever she fed her cereal. The pediatrician had said it was fine to supplement her breast milk, especially if her daughter appeared to still be hungry. Nancy Anne was fun to feed and would laugh if Karen made a funny face at her. After she was fed, Karen wiped her little round face and hands, then placed her in the playpen in the living room.

  Seth, Roseanna, and Mary came in from the barn. “Hello, Nancy Anne.” Her husband leaned over the railing where she sat. “Did your mommy just feed you?” Seth looked endearingly at his baby daughter then stood up, turning toward Karen. “There’s one more stall to clean and we’ll be done. We just came in to get something to drink.”

  “Sounds like you three are accomplishing a lot this morning.” Karen brushed away some baby cereal on her brown dress.

  “Guess what made us jump out in the barn, Momma?” Roseanna asked.

  “Hinkel!” Mary blurted out, jumping up and down.

  “Chicken?” Karen’s eyebrows lifted. “We have no chickens, Mary.”

  “It wasn’t a chicken. It was a pigeon.” Roseanna patted her sister’s arm.

  Seth explained the quick story as they walked into the kitchen. He grabbed more coffee, and got Roseanna and Mary water to drink.

  “I’m going to mop the kitchen first then see about the laundry.” Karen stood by the sink, running water in a bucket.

  “The girls and I will be heading back outside. Come on, ladies.” Seth motioned to them. “See you in a while, Karen.” He waved.

  Her daughters waved, too, as they went out, shutting the door behind them.

  Karen stepped over to the playpen and added some different toys from a box for Nancy Anne to play with. The baby stayed awake more these days, now that she was four months old.

  After Karen got a load of laundry going in the wringer washer, she peeked in on Nancy Anne, who was gnawing on a plush toy. “Baby’s like to explore their world. I’ll need to remember to wash off your toys.”

  A buggy pulled into the yard. Karen glanced out the window and saw the bishop getting out. She quickly tidied up her kitchen and moved the mopping supplies into the corner. She looked out the window again as he finished tying his horse to the hitching rail. “Hmm… I wonder.” Karen tightened her brown head scarf.

  Seth came into the house with the bishop, and their daughters followed.

  “Hi, Karen. How are you doing today?” Bishop John asked.

  “We’re fine. Would you like something to drink?” Karen smiled at him.

  “That’d be nice. Do you have any coffee?” He pulled off his hat, revealing his thinning gray hair, and hung it on a peg.

  “Yes, and why don’t you have a seat?” she offered.

  Her daughters went down the hall to the bathroom to wash their hands. Then Karen saw them go upstairs when she brought the coffee to the men. She grabbed a glass of water and joined the men in the living room. Nancy Anne was sound asleep with a light blanket Karen had draped over her.

  “What brings you by today, Bishop?” Seth gave him his full attention.

  “I’d like to put a nice wall in the back of my yard. Would you be able to do it?” Bishop John leaned forward in his chair.

  “Ah, I see. You could contact my boss. I’ve got his number.” Seth pulled out his wallet and handed him a business card.

  “Thank you, Seth. I’m hoping to get this done in time. My wife and I are planning to take a trip to Florida.” He took a big drink.

  “That sound’s good, John. Are you bringing anyone else with you?”

  “We’re going with my son and his wife and possibly another couple.” The bishop finished his coffee.

  “Trips are a nice bonus, aren’t they?” Karen looked at her husband.

  “I know, and I’m about due to take some time off. But we’re still breaking in a new guy at work.” Seth took a sip and set his cup aside.

  “That shouldn’t take too long. Besides, the other employees can help teach this person, jah?” John smiled at Seth.

  Seth shook his head. “No, my boss is relying on me to do the training, and Stan’s irritating behavior is making it difficult.”

  “As hard as it may be, if you keep a positive attitude, exercise patience, and try to be kind, perhaps in time your relationship with the new fellow will improve. You might even gain a friend.”

  “I appreciate your advice and will try to remember it the next time I’m dealing with Stan.”

  John pushed his chair aside and stood up. “I’ve got to get going now. I still have more stops to make before I go home. I’ll keep you in my prayers, and if you need to talk again, let me know.”

  “Thanks so much,” Seth replied. They all headed for the door.

  “Thanks again for the business card,” the bishop said. “I’ll give your boss a call and see when there’s time to start this project.”

  “Yes, call him. Hopefully my boss will get you lined up as soon as possible.”

  “All right then. See you both on Sunday.” Bishop John waved and walked to his buggy.

  “I’m gonna go out and throw some more straw in Ash’s stall. I was almost through when the bishop pulled in.” Seth grabbed his work hat from the wall peg.

  “I’ll finish mopping this floor, and then I can heat up the stew from last night.” Karen looked out the window at the bird feeder. “I might need to add more food because the bird feeder is nearly empty.”

  “Would you like me to do it?” Seth picked up the used coffee mugs and headed for the kitchen with them. “I guess the girls will be staying in at this point until lunch.”

  “I’ll send Roseanna out to get you when the meal is ready.” Karen followed him. “I think I’ll make some rolled biscuits to go with the stew.” She grabbed the mop and set it in the bucket of soapy water.

  “The lunch sounds good, Karen.” Seth adjusted his hat. “I’d better get outside and get some work done.” He hugged her and left.

  Karen squeezed out the sudsy water, and pushed the mop around the floor. It picked up all kinds of grime. “I can’t believe how filthy this floor is.” She shook her head. With the demands of a baby and her two other children, she had so little time to get much else done. It was harder for her to catch up with her chores than it was for her sisters in Lancaster County. They had help from each other and their mamm.

  Karen rinsed out her mop and went over the floor some more. Gratified that the room was in better shape, she cleaned the mop and bucket and put them away. Nancy Anne was making her usual sounds in the living room, so Karen went to watch her baby play with a rattle. “You are precious. What a blessing you are to us.”

  Nancy Anne dropped her toy and put up her pudgy little hands to Karen
.

  “How can I resist this?” She leaned over and picked up her sweet baby. Karen cuddled Nancy Anne with joy and tenderness. She whispered, “I’m looking forward to Seth and me sharing the surprise later.”

  Karen finished holding Nancy Anne and returned her to the blanket. “I need to get lunch started.” She got out the ingredients for the biscuits and set them on the counter. The washer had quit running, so Karen went to get the laundry. “What is all this on the clothes?” She sniffed at it. “It’s chewing gum, and the clothes all smell like mint.” She sighed.

  “What’s wrong, Mom?” Roseanna came in from the living room.

  “I’m going to have to rewash this load of clothes.” Karen tried to pick out the gum in the washer.

  “Whose gum is it?” She tilted her head to one side.

  Mary entered the room with Big Ears, the bunny, and came over to stand by them.

  “It’s your daed’s.” Karen threw away more gray-looking pieces in the garbage.

  “That gum looks icky.” Roseanna wrinkled her nose.

  “Gut net.” Mary moved away, tossing Big Ears a couple of times.

  Karen looked at Roseanna. “She’s right, it’s not good. This stuff is messy.”

  “Are you zanke daddy about this?”

  Karen shook her head. “If I scolded him, he’d only get upset.” Seth had been upset about a lot of things lately because of work, so there was no point in stirring the pot.

  Soon the washer was running again, and Karen had checked on the baby, fed Nancy Anne, and changed her diaper. The baby was in her crib, having dozed off after nursing. Karen crept out of the room and took the stew out to heat up. She prepped the biscuits and turned the stew on low to keep warm. Karen watched out the window and saw a pony cart ride by their place. Someday my children will be old enough to do that. Turning away from the window, Karen noticed the oven was ready for the biscuits, so she slipped them in.

  When the biscuits were about done, Karen sent Roseanna out to fetch her dad and had Mary wash her hands.

  Seth and Roseanna came in from outside and went down the hall to clean up. Mary dashed into the kitchen. “Mamm, can I have millich?”

  “You may have milk with your stew.” Karen grabbed bowls, cups, and spoons and took them to the table. When she returned, Mary had the refrigerator open and was lifting out the container of milk. Before Karen could help her, the jug slipped from the child’s small hands and hit the floor. The lid popped off, and milk poured out. Mary gasped.

  “Hang on, Mary.” Karen knelt down and grabbed the jug. She held it up. “There’s not much left.”

  “Sorry, Mamm.” She leaned into Karen’s shoulder and cried.

  “It’s okay, Mary.” Karen patted her back. “There’s no harm done.” She hugged her little daughter for a moment. “Let’s get this cleaned up.”

  “What’s going on in here?” Seth came into the room.

  “There was a little accident, but we’re taking care of it.” Karen grabbed a couple hand towels from the drawer, and she and Mary worked on the floor. Then everyone came to the table to eat lunch.

  “Everything looks good. I’ve been thinking about eating this the whole time I was out working.” Her husband smacked his lips. “Let’s pray.”

  After prayers were offered and the food had been served, Roseanna brought up the surprise, wanting to know what it was.

  Mary wiggled in her seat and looked at her father expectantly.

  “So you both would like to know what the surprise is, huh?” He looked teasingly at them.

  “Jah, Daddy, tell us what it is!” Roseanna’s voice grew loud.

  “What surprise, Daddy?” Mary jumped out of her seat and ran over to him.

  “Take a seat Mary, and I’ll share what it is.” Seth patted her shoulder, speaking calmly.

  She sat in her chair, and Seth cleared his throat. “We’ll be going to Bird-in-Hand and Paradise for a vacation next month to see both of your grandparents—the Allgyers and the Zooks.”

  “Yippee! Yippee!” Roseanna yelled then covered her mouth.

  “Yippee! “Yippee!” Mary copycatted Roseanna.

  “Mary, you are really happy. I am, too.” Roseanna smiled brightly. “I love my Grandpa and Grandma Allgyer and Grandpa and Grandma Zook, too.”

  Mary bounced in her chair and squealed.

  “We’ve got some time before we take this trip, and we can think about what we want to bring along.” Karen looked at her family. Truth was, she felt very happy knowing they’d be going on this trip. She’d start to count the days as soon as the date was in stone.

  CHAPTER 6

  Karen tried to think good thoughts while waiting for Nancy Anne’s doctor to return to his office. She reviewed how much she’d enjoyed their trip to Bird-in-Hand and Paradise. It’d been only a couple of days since they’d come home from staying with Karen’s parents. Before that, they had visited Paul and Emma and the rest of Seth’s family. There had been a big get-together at Seth’s oldest brother’s house. Because they had six children, Brad and Sarah lived in a home with all kinds of space for family gatherings. Karen’s daughters seemed to enjoy playing with the younger cousins.

  The second half of the trip was spent at her parents’ home. Karen loved being around all her siblings again. Her mother had everyone over to their place for a big meal. No one walked away hungry—that was for sure. Karen wished she could freeze time, just so the need for her family around would be met. She wanted to chat with her parents one on one, but everyone wanted to talk about what was happening with their lives.

  Karen decided she’d call her family more often. It might help her feel more connected. She liked the trip so much she longed for another one.

  Pulling her thoughts aside, Karen bounced Nancy Anne on her knee as she waited impatiently for the doctor. The nurse had moved them from the examination room to his office thirty minutes ago, and Karen was anxious for his results of the tests. She could feel her heart rate climb, and her palms grew sweaty. This is so weird. I wonder if something is wrong.

  Karen thought about how the doctor checked her daughter’s eyes and then tested her hearing on a machine. Nancy Anne wore earphones on her head the whole time she was tested. The doctor’s demeanor had become more serious as the exam continued. He’d asked Karen questions about Nancy Anne. Had she noticed anything strange in her reaction to things? Karen honestly didn’t have an answer. Yes there had been a few times when Nancy Anne didn’t react to loud noises or slept through them, but she thought that happened with most children at one time or another.

  One thing was for sure: her joy from the trip to Paradise and Bird-in-Hand was being erased as the waiting wore on. Karen heard the doctor outside the door, talking to another person. Then he entered the room, holding a couple papers. “I’m not sure what the cause of the problem is yet, but Nancy Anne appears to be deaf.”

  Karen gasped. “What?”

  “I’ve called a specialist to have her checked over. He’s been testing infants and children at his clinic in Harrisburg for years. He’ll give Nancy Anne good care.”

  “I can’t believe this. How could this have happened?” Karen teared up, holding back a sob.

  “The root of this is from the German measles you had during your pregnancy. Deafness is one of the most common complications of measles during pregnancy. If your daughter is non-hearing, then she’ll need to learn sign language when she’s old enough. Nancy Anne and your family members can learn it together. But until all the testing is final, we won’t know which course to take for her.” The doctor patted Nancy Anne’s head. “It’s good that we’ve caught this now. Maybe there’s something the pediatric audiologist can do for your daughter.”

  He handed Karen a business card. “He’s one of the best around. His office will contact you to set up an appointment for your daughter soon.” He gave her more papers. “The rest of this is summaries of today’s eye exam and her weight and height information. She’s doing very well
in those areas. Other than her hearing problem, she’s a healthy baby and progressing well.”

  He stood up and moved to the door. “My receptionist will make you an appointment for Nancy Anne’s next well-child checkup on your way out. Good evening.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.” Karen clung to her daughter and stumbled out of his office.

  As she moved down the hall toward the appointment desk, the news began to fully sink in. My daughter is deaf. My precious little baby can’t hear me. She swallowed against the pain in her throat. If only my folks had taken me to get vaccinated when I was young, this never would have happened.

  Karen was almost home and thankful the new driver seemed more focused on her job than on talking. She felt gutted, and the sensation was only getting worse. Karen wanted to gather her parents and the rest of her family so she could tell them what she’d just learned. But that wasn’t possible. Maintaining her composure was next to impossible. How could this be happening? Why didn’t she notice Nancy Anne’s problem before?

  When they arrived home, Karen got out of the van and pulled the car seat out with the baby inside. She thanked her driver and paid her for the service then half-stumbled down the walkway to the house, her vision blurred by tears she was trying to hold back.

  Rachelle greeted them at the door. “Roseanna and Mary have been good. How did it go at the appointment?”

  Karen couldn’t hold it in any longer. Tears streamed down her face. “Oh my. This is not a good day.”

  “What happened?” Rachelle’s brows furrowed with concern, and she led Karen and Nancy Anne to the rocker, where she took the baby from the car seat and placed her in her mother’s arms. Karen silently rocked, clutching her daughter.

  Rachelle sat on the sofa and waited silently.

  Finally Karen found the strength to talk. She told her friend about the appointment and the results of the tests. Rachelle listened as Karen wiped at her tears and shared everything that had transpired.

  “It sounds like your doctor moved quickly on this.”

  Karen managed a nod.

  Her daughters came downstairs, and Roseanna touched Karen’s arm. “Why are you crying, Momma?”