day of school and he loved it. He felt a little sad that his mamm was leaving, but he knew she would be back soon. He loved his oom Matthew and tante Deborah and knew he would enjoy living with them. Besides the Grossdawdis would be close and ready to help at any time.
Jeremiah was excited and wanted to help his mamm pack her food while she packed his lunch. He asked for a homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwich, an apple and a piece of coconut pie. Charity laughed and told him the pie would get mashed. She put in a piece of coconut cake instead with the bottle of milk. She then packed her food of a ham sandwich and a chicken sandwich, two apples, two boiled eggs, a bottle of cider and a piece of cake.
“Mamm, you promise you’ll come back to me. You won’t go off to be with daed and leave me, will you?” (daed - daddy)
“Jeremiah, I promise God will take care of me and of you. Don’t forget to pray and learn your Bible verses. I will be back before you have time to miss me.”
He jumped to hug her. “Mamm, I already miss you. I lieb you so much and don’t want to lose you.”
“My precious little man, you won’t lose me. We will be together until we are both of a ripe old age. I promise you.”
Jeremiah laughed. He grabbed his books tied with a strip of cloth and his lunch to run out and meet tante Marilyn. He would ride to school with her.
Charity ran out the back door. “Danki. Matthew or Deborah will pick him up each day.”
“I know. He will be fine. Have a safe, successful trip. Rest as much as you can and take a chance to look around at different parts of the country.” She chirped at the horse to start as Charity waved them goodbye. Charity went in the house wiping her eyes.
At eight fifteen Jacob pulled in to take Charity to the bus. She had said she would get her neighbor to take her in the car, but Jacob wanted to see his daughter before she left. He insisted that she take some money in case she had an emergency. He also insisted that she take her English neighbor’s phone number just in case she needed to call. She laughed and hugged him, but took everything he offered.
By eight fifty they were at the bus station. There were other horse and buggies in line. Jacob got down and took her suitcase into the station for her and waited until she had purchased her ticket. He then did something that surprised her. He hugged her and kissed her cheek.
“I am so proud of you my precious dochder. You have a good business head and I know you will do well, but I must be honest and say I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
“Oh, daed,” she laughed, “you are just worried because your chick is going where she has never been. I have never been parted from my precious zoon (son) more than a few hours, but I am going because I am trying to improve the future for him.”
“Think of it as a vader (father) who loves you and wants to keep you safe and happy. Call me if you need anything.”
“Daed, I lieb you, and I will be safe. I promise. Take care of Mamm and yourself and the family.”
They said a final good bye and she boarded the bus. Jacob saw that her suitcase was placed in the space underneath the bus. She waved from the window as the bus pulled out. She didn’t want her dad to see her anxiety, but she was naerfich (nervous). This was a big step to go to another state and travel alone.
The trip was uneventful. They stopped once at a little country convenience store to pick up passengers. They stopped next in Cleveland, Ohio.
“Folks,” the big, burly bus driver announced, “we’ll be stopped for about twenty minutes. There’s restrooms inside and food if any of you are interested.”
Charity timidly followed two older women out to use the restroom. She marveled at the mirrors and clean fixtures, but quickly took care of her business, washed her hands and grabbed her lunch bag to hurry back to the bus. She decided to eat half of a sandwich and drank some cider while they were stopped. She tried not to be bothered when people stared at her.
She had been told that it would take the bus about twelve hours to make the trip. She figured they left at nine ten that morning, so they should be in Shipshewana by nine ten in the evening. They were half way there, so she tucked her canvas bag of food under her arm and laid her head back and closed her eyes.
“Everyone off for Shipshewana” woke her up. They had arrived. She was excited and a little frightened since she had not been so far from home before.
The Like Home B & B was across the street from the bus station.
Charity timidly crossed the street and entered the home. She had not made reservations because she did not know the area. Much to her surprise and delight the B & B was owned and operated by an Amish family.
Charity introduced herself and told them she was from Shickshinny, Pennsylvania and owned and operated a store there.
She told them she was here to visit the big Yoder store.
The Amish woman came from behind the desk to take Charity’s hands. “I am Erin Yoder. Welcome to Shipshewana. Do you need something to eat? It is past dinner time, but I can still get you something.”
“Nee danki. I have food that I did not finish eating on the trip, but I would appreciate a hot drink.”
“Please come into the kitchen. There is always coffee or tea. You can sit at the table and eat and tell me all about yourself. I am honored that you chose to stay with me.”
Charity told her all about her life, her son and the death of Adam on the same night her son was born. Erin’s husband, Isaiah, had come into the kitchen and sat down to talk with them. He was fascinated that Adam had taught Charity to carve items from wood.
Charity apologized and covered a yawn. “I have been up since five and did a lot of work before I left. The long trip made me very tired. Please forgive me.” She finished her tea and stood.
They assured her there was nothing to forgive and asked her forgiveness for keeping her so long. Erin took her up the stairs after Isaiah had carried her bag up. It was nearly midnight.
“Will you get up on your own or do you want to be awakened at a certain time?” Erin asked.
“I have never had a real vacation. Please just let me get up when I wake up. If it is past breakfast serving, I can go to a restaurant.”
“Oh, no,” both Erin and Isaiah both answered. “You will be fed whenever you wish.”
“Yes,” Erin said. “I usually serve from six thirty to eight, but you can eat whenever you please. I want your stay to be a special one.”
Erin went into a beautifully furnished room with a sleigh bed, a chest of six drawers, a low dresser with a wide mirror on it and a comfortable chair in front of it.
A hand-quilted wedding ring quilt covered the bed with matching pillow cases. A hand-hooked rug was on the floor beside the bed. She tiptoed over to open a door and was pleasantly surprised to see a bathroom. It was going to be heavenly to soak in a real tub. She turned to admire all the handmade furniture. She felt right at home.
After a good, hot bath and putting on her night clothes, she sank gratefully on a handmade feather bed. She read her Bible and had her prayers. Her eyes closed almost as soon as she got
