by Unknown
Zack Jost’s eyes brighten and a smile came to his face. Your name is Zack and you’re the same age? Mr. Shear seemed to ask no one in particular.
“That’s so cool!” Zack Jost said.
Seeing that his son’s countenance has improved, Jost put him down and asked, “Do you want to have dinner with the Shear family Zack?”
“Sounds good to me Dad.”
“Please give us a minute to wash up and we’ll l00k for you in the eating area,” Jost said.
Jost and Zack retrieved their cart and went to the bathroom where they washed their face and hands. Jost knelt down to Zack and asked, “Are you okay? You know that it’s okay to cry, laugh, to be angry, and to express whatever you’re feeling okay?” Zack nodded in acknowledgment and gave his father a hug.
The pair left the restroom, paid for their items, and joined the Shear family at their table in Target’s mini-restaurant.
Seeing the father and son, Zachariah immediately said, “Zack, sit next to me if it pleases you!”
That enthusiastic invitation did please Zack, who happily sat next to his namesake while his father collected their pizza. When everyone had their seats Mr. Shear initiated a prayer.
“Heavenly Father we thank you for the blessing of this English food, and for our new friends William and Zack—Amen.”
“Amen,” everyone responded in unison, including William Jost and his son Zack.
“Mr. Shear, do you live in Strasburg?” asked William.
“Please, call me David, Mr. Shear is my father, ha, ha, ha. Yes, we live only 10-miles from here. We are carpenters, my family.”
“My father was a handyman, doing mostly carpentry work, and he sometimes carved some very intricate pieces for his customers who could afford it. He taught me the trade but it’s been many years since I had time for woodworking.”
“Really? And what is it that you do William?”
“I’m, well I was, a warrior—a Marine. I served in Afghanistan and Iraq in psychological operations. It was my job to try to change the hearts and minds of our enemies and of the people that they intended to corrupt, convert, or coerce to act on their behalf.”
“And now that you are no longer a Marine William, what will you do?”
“Well we have a saying, it goes, once a Marine—always a Marine; meaning, it never leaves you, it’s always in your blood. So, I might change my job, but the things that I learned in the Corp like, dedication to my buddies, duty, honor, country, integrity, and doing what’s right when no one’s watching, will stick with me for the rest of my life. As for how I’m going to make a living now? I don’t know David. That’s partly what our trip’s about, to try to figure that out.”
“I see, well, we’d better stop talking and start eating before the little ones leave no pizza for us, men.”
William gave a little laugh at David’s straight-faced sense of humor then took a bite out of his pizza. Glancing down the table at Zack, he could hear that he was involved in a serious conversation about frogs and other reptiles, with Zachariah.
But, William noticed something else. He saw how intently David’s daughter, Sarah, was watching him. He imagined that she’s probably more like a mother to her siblings than a peer, with all of the responsibilities that go along with being the oldest child in a family with a big age gap between the oldest and youngest child.
He was certain that she was only staring at him out of curiosity, but he couldn’t help but blush at the sight of this lovely young woman looking at him.
She’s beautiful, William couldn’t help thinking, but he couldn’t tell how old she is. It wasn’t important, he was only curious, he told himself.
“William, how long will you be in Strasburg?” David asked.
“I don’t know really. I’m in no hurry to find a job, but I do need to figure out where I’m going to work next. I don’t want to do anything high-risk, being a single parent now, I can’t take a high-risk job like law enforcement or security. I have a degree in social work, but I don’t really want to deal with other people’s problems every day, or sit behind a desk. I do think that I want to work outdoors, or with my hands. I don’t know yet, but I’m sure Zack and I will figure it out,” William said.
“Our boys seem to really like each other. I never considered that an Amish boy and an English boy would have so much to talk about.”
“David, I’ve traveled all over the world and have met many people. What I noticed is that people are basically the same and want the same things—food, clothing, shelter, clean water and air, and to love and be loved by a community of people and a few special ones that they call friends and family.”
“Amen to that, Heir (Mr.) Jost!” The two families had a pleasant meal then walked out to the parking lot together.
“Wow, is this yours?” Zack exclaimed when the Jost family stopped in front of a black horse hitched to a black, enclosed buggy with brass side lights, headlights and taillights and reflective stickers. Although it was dusk, William imagined that the lights on the buggy made it a lot safer for the Shear family to travel home.
David Shear proudly showed Zack and William around the interior and exterior of the buggy and introduced them to their horse.
David watched carefully at how William felt the materials of his coach, admired the steel and wood construction, the intricacies that only a perceptive man would pick up.
He noticed how Zack and William gently and respectfully interacted with his horse, an integral member of any Amish family as they depend on their horses for work and transportation.
But, most importantly, David Shear felt respected by the Josts. It suddenly struck him that in the eyes of Zack and William Jost, they were the same. In his heart, he knew that William did not see him and his family as some sort of backward, religious zealots, an Amish oddity to be gawked at like an archeological find.
The Josts were curious about the Amish to be sure, but he sensed that both father and son were curious about the ways in which they were similar and not how much they were different. David Shear concluded that the Josts were humanists!
They respect the sanctity and value of all human life regardless of anything; religion, wealth, race, national origin, or way of life.
“William, would you like to work with me and my sons tomorrow? I think you might enjoy the smell of lumber and working with wood again. Zack might enjoy it too.”
“Can we Dad?” Zack begged.
William extended his hand toward David saying, “It looks like you’ve got yourself two green helpers tomorrow Mr. Shear, thank you for the opportunity, we’ll try not to get in your way too much.” The two men laughed and shook hands vigorously.
“Very good then William, until the ‘morrow. We are North of here, the third farm house on your right. If you get lost, just ask any Amish where the Shear farm is and they will help you. Gutte’ nacht (Good night) Zack.” David said as he mussed up Zack’s hair.
Zack extended his little hand up to David and shook hands with the giant of a man at 6’6” and rail-thin. “Goodnight Mr. Shear,” William said.
Zack and William shook hands with all of the male members of the Shear family. Zack hugged Sarah around the legs, saying “Good night Ms. Sarah, thank you for helping me when I was sad.”
Sarah’s eyes filled with tears for this small boy clinging to her. She pressed his head against her womb and gently said, “Good night dear Zack”, as her tear filled eyes met William’s.
Zack slowly pulled himself away from Sarah. William awkwardly stepped closer to Sarah, extending his hand them pulling it back, unsure if he should shake hands with her or not. “Good night Ms. Shear,” he said, almost bowing to her.
Sarah let out a nervous giggle, then casting her eyes downward she offered a soft “good night, Mr. Jost,” as she turned and entered the buggy. Zack and William both watched the buggy until it was out of sight before they spoke.
“I think I like the Amish people, Dad.”
“So do I Zack, I
like them very much.” Back in the camper, Zack talked to his grandparents for more than an hour about the evening’s adventure before finally handing the phone to his father.
“Bill, it sounds like you guys have a fun day coming up tomorrow,” Ann said, with excitement in her voice. “Zack sounds so happy about making a new friend.”
“I have to admit that I’m excited about having met David Shear also. Being invited to work on a project to build something with wood makes me feel like a kid on Christmas Eve, I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight.” Bill said with excited anticipation. “It’s no coincidence that we met the Shears tonight, Mom.”
“Oh I agree Bill, God put the Shears in your path for a reason. Just keep your heart open for what lessons and experiences the universe is offering you and you’ll find the answers and direction for whatever you’re looking for.” Ann advises in her sweet and gentle voice.
“That’s good advice Mom, I will. Well, we’d better try and get some sleep. The Amish start work early and I have a feeling it’s going to be all manual labor.”
“Ha, ha, you can bet on that son,” Roger said
“Goodnight Dad, night Mom—Love you,” Bill replied.
*****
Bill pulled into the long driveway of what he hoped is the Shear farm, at 4:30 a.m. A pale green house with darker green shudders, a small porch with four rocking chairs and two child-size chairs with wicker seats stood before him as only one of two structures for what seemed like miles. At 4:47 a.m., a boy about Benual’s age, came out of the front door and walked towards the barn, then stopped, turned, and walked towards Bill’s truck. Bill got out of the truck, with Zack following behind.
“Good morning Mr. Jost, it looks to be a fine day for work today. “Good morning Zack,” said Benual.
“Good morning, Benual right?”
“Yes, sir!”
“I’m glad that I found your house. I didn’t want to go around knocking on doors waking folks up so early in the morning,” William said.
“Oh, no sir, we Amish get an early start, being productive at your work is a Godly pursuit. I was just about to feed the horses, would you like to join me, sir?”
William looked at Zack, who was smiling like a Cheshire cat, and said, “Yeah!”
Watching Benual lovingly feed, water, and interact with the horses in a way that is reminiscent of how most dog owners care for their beloved dogs gave William deep respect for the boy.
He observed how Benual took his responsibility seriously. The maturity in his manner was evident. He saw in Benual a quiet confidence, an open and friendly nature, and a very relaxed body posture. Benual’s voice, movement, and demeanor seemed to convey that Benual thinks that everything is just fine in my world. There is no danger, I am sufficient, I have all that I need or want, and I am at peace and living in joy.
Bill saw in Benual what his son Zack could become as a young man in the right environment. In that moment, he realized that Zack’s spirit could be nurtured to become a man with a similar countenance as Benual’s, or his spirit could be crushed by the wrong environment. It became clear to Bill that not only did he need to choose his next profession wisely, he also needed to be mindful of the environment in which he lived. Suddenly Bill felt the gravity of deciding his next move in life and it dragged on him immensely. To end his internal dialogue William decided to get to know the boy better.
“Benual, how old are you?” Bill asked.
“Why I’m a man full grown, I’m 16, sir.”
“Ha, ha, ha.” Bill blurted. “I’m sorry Benual, I’m laughing because you’re right, you walk, talk, and speak like a grown man; but where I come from, 16 is still a kid. Most 16-year-olds that I know can’t be trusted to be at home alone without getting into some kind of trouble or danger. You, on the other hand, I think you could manage this entire household if you had to. You are a very impressive young man sir.”
Benual blushed at such high praise, and from an English man too. “Thank you very much, sir,” Benual said quietly, with his head down in modesty.
Benual leads Zack and William back to the house, through the front door, and into the kitchen where everyone was gathering around a large table with bench seating. Mr. Shear was carrying a little girl who looked to be about three-years-old.
“Guder mariye Heir Jost. How are you this fine morning, young Zack?
“Good morning Mr. Shear, I’m well, thank you for asking, sir. I met your horses, they’re beautiful and docile animals,” said William.
‘Ah yes, the horses are as much a part of my family as my lovely children. Right Katy-Lynn?”
“Yes Papa,” Katy-Lynn whispered as she planted a sweet kiss on her father’s whiskered face.
Mr. Shear laughed at delight at his sweet child’s affection, swinging her around and into her place at the table. “Come, children, your mother has prepared a wonderful breakfast that we mustn’t let get cold. William, Zack, please join us. William, please sit here to my right in this honored position at our table. Zack, I know Zackery would love for you to sit beside him,” said David.
When everyone was seated David began saying, “Now, everyone is in their proper position we can begin. Heavenly Father, thank you for this bounty before us and bless the hands that prepared it. May our work today be pleasing to you oh Lord. Amen.”
Bill could see that Sarah got her beauty from her mother, Miriam. Although she appeared to be a little ill at the moment, he noticed how much Miriam looks like her daughter Sarah, but not quite. There’s something a little different about the mother but he can’t quite put his finger on it—until she turned her head just so, and then it hit him.
Miriam’s head seemed just a little larger than it should be for her tiny frame. It’s barely noticeable, but William is a man who is trained to notice outliers, changes, and inconsistencies. As he looked around the table he observed that little Jacob appeared to have a large head also. Something that he dismissed yesterday, as children sometimes can appear to have a large head or ears that they eventually grow into and suddenly the body part seems less prominent. William wondered if it was “a thing” among the Amish or just one family’s trait.
At that moment, he suddenly wanted to pull out his smartphone and Google “disorders among the Amish”, but thought better of it. Instead, he continued to eat his breakfast, make small talk, and laugh with the Shear family, trying not to stare at Miriam or her little son Jacob.
*****
After breakfast, the younger children road scooter-like bicycles to a one-room schoolhouse; while David, Benual, William, and Zack loaded into the buggy and road about five miles to a large structure with a sign that read “Zook Amish Built Cabins”.
“This is where we work William, we apply our woodworking trade to projects that are contracted to our community by an English company. There is mostly Amish working here, but there are a few English workers too. So you see, our communities, the English, and Amish work side-by-side in harmony,” David said.
Entering the building, William saw Amish men and other boys Benual’s age and adult English men shaking hands greeting each other good morning and gathering tools and materials to begin their day. After brief introductions and clearing it with David’s English counterpart—who is also a supervisor, William and Zack were allowed to work without pay for as long as they wanted.
William worked with David and Zack worked with Benual. They each learned how to cut and finish logs to become a part of a pre-assembled modular log cabin, built with 300-year-old Amish carpentry techniques.
William loved the work, the smell of the wood, seeing the finished materials and photos of assembled cabin homes. During lunch, he read some of the letters and photos on the wall of happy families enjoying their log cabins and thought—what a great way to make a living. He looked around and saw plainly dressed English men alongside Amish men and boys working, talking, and at times even singing together. William began to think about a career making log cabins and asking himself,
“Bill are you seriously thinking about becoming Amish, or just working alongside the Amish?” After some deep reflection throughout the day, he wasn’t sure of what he wanted.
Riding back to the Shear house, he envisioned what his life would be like as an Amish man. His faith and values are very similar to David Shear’s, he loves the family and community life, and he very much wants Zack to grow up with the quiet confidence that he can already see in his son. William realized that he had a lot to think about, but vowed to stop thinking for now and just enjoy the moment. The sights, the sounds, and the smells of the present. It felt good!
There was a buzz about the Shear home, with children and adults busy at preparing dinner and living life. Sarah asked William and Zack about their day and laughed, smiled, and listened intently as they each spoke. William was wondering if her aqua-blue eyes were intentionally staring into his own, or it was his imagination. At the moment he didn’t care, he only knew that he couldn’t help blushing, as he watched her sweet, pink lips move as she talked. He was mesmerized by her. Even her hand gestures seemed like the movement of a dancer, and when she walked she almost glided across the wooden floors. At times during dinner, the voices of everyone else seemed like white-noise because all that William could see and hear was Sarah.
*****
“There is not another sister, friend, or brother loves the way that Jesus can.”
“He proved his love for me when he died on Calvary, he gave his life for fallen man.”
William and Zack found themselves humming, then singing this catchy song over and over, on the way back to the campsite. A huge leap from the song they sang repeatedly on their way to work that morning— “Stop, drop, shut-em-down open up shop.”
“Oh, no, that’s how rough riders roll.”
Zack and William were so tired from their early start and a hard day of physical labor that they didn’t so much as think to call Ann and Roger that night or the next several in a row. After a shower, they went straight to bed.