3 weeks Ago By By GLORIA YODER The Amish Cook
April 4 marked three years my husband was called home to heaven. After he passed there were many new things to sift through, some minor, some major, and some I would never have imagined, but all marked the beginning of a new stage for all of us. How vividly I recall that first summer and how I resisted the thought of finding a new normal without Daniel.
“How could it be right to go on without him?” I wondered again, then again and again. Today, I praise God; the new normal He has given us is not one which says we are no longer grateful for who Daniel was in our lives, or that we do not love him. It is simply a new way of navigating the process of living the life He has called us to live.
There are certainly many more tears than this house has seen prior to his death, but I hasten to add there are also deeper joys as God Himself grants us everything we need for every day. An unseen presence is there to aid in many ways. God has also gifted us with precious dreams from time to time that encourage us that our reward in heaven will way surpass the tears and discomforts.
Seven years ago Daniel suggested putting up some lettering on the bathroom wall. The words he chose were nothing fancy; in fact it was a simple question. Many times over I read those words above the mirror, “Where is God in all this?” Though Daniel had no particular situation in mind his goal was to stimulate our minds on the true character of God no matter what.
The old saying, “time heals” may hold its own bit of truth, yet in our home it seems that time can also fester wounds if they have not been taken to Jesus. And somehow we are all different, what one thrives on may be a painful experience for another. I remind the children we need the variety to enable to also do life with others around us their own way of thinking and living.
Perhaps our latest favorite is family times at bedtime, in a dimly lit living room sharing Daddy memories. I’m amazed how some of the children recall details of things they did with Daniel I never knew. Sometimes my own heart just wants to freeze when I think of the children never again having those special times on earth with him as they all so enjoyed.
Then I think of the reality of the words someone once spoke, “What God starts, He will finish.” That’s so true, not one of these children were an afterthought after God took Daniel to heaven. These are the same children Daniel and I prayed for long before they were born, and surely God’s plan for their lives remains the same, even unto this day! Now, as we sit around the living room we swap stories until the children begin to get sleepy then I’ll take a turn.
Thanks to a friend and reader who encouraged me to share with the children how Daniel and I met and got married. The children are spellbound and full of questions. Last week we had the part about our wedding day.
I cannot say it is all easy to rehearse the memories without him, but I feel like I would be cheating the children and myself by not going back long enough to relive those days. I love watching the smiles on their faces as I tell them how I loved their Daddy and how he took care of me. It is with a sense of relief that the day marking three years since I watched my beloved take his last breaths, is now behind me.
Nonetheless, God met me again on April 4 in numerous real ways. One was a gorgeous bouquet of six pink roses which were delivered as a gift from Daniel's cousin Jacob and his wife. Knowing how they, too, are familiar with grief, my heart was touched in a special way.
I have often felt at a loss on how to thank you all for the support, prayers and gifts. Finally, I realized it really is a gift from the Lord. I praise Him for His provision and sincerely thank all of you.
Three years ago, food was not on my priority list, fruit was something that clicked better than most things. I’ll give you one of my recipes for mixed fruit with Sprite glaze, try any fruits of your choice. 1 cup raspberries 1 cup blueberries 1 cup sliced kiwis 1 cup sliced strawberries Glaze: 2/3 cup sprite 1/2 cup water 1/3 cup white sugar 3/4 teaspoon real lemon Pinch of salt Whisk together glaze ingredients in a heavy saucepan.
Heat to boil, add 1/4 cup water mixed with 2 1/2 tablespoons Permo Flo thickener. Bring to a rolling boil, boil for two minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
Cool. Layer 1 cup of each kind of fruit in a pretty bowl, drizzle 3/4 cup glaze on top. If making larger batches, repeat layers until bowl is filled.
Gloria Yoder is a young Amish mother, writer and homemaker in rural Illinois. Readers with culinary or culture questions or stories to share may write Gloria directly at: Gloria Yoder, 10510 E. 350th Ave.
, Flat Rock, IL 62427..
