| Author |
Across the Fence:  Story  |
|
|
maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 11 2009 : 2:25:19 PM
|
Hi Ladies, I get an newsletter from Cindy Woodsmall ( she's an auther) and she had this really neat story in it that I just had to share! It is worth the read! Enjoy!
Hugs,
Channah
I’d like to share with you a fictionalized account of a true story.
Years ago an Amish man and his wife spent their days struggling against poverty. They had four children under the age of five. Even with both Dad and Mom doing all they could, they were barely able to keep food on the table and a roof over the family’s heads.
Then the man’s wife became sick. As she grew weaker, she could no longer take care of the baby while her husband worked. After weeks of prayer, they knew what they needed to do. There was a suitable Amish family in the district who needed the love of a baby to ease their own recent loss.
With tears of sorrow and sacrifice, the couple agreed to relinquish their six-month-old daughter to their care.
While the other children waited in the horse-drawn carriage, the dad helped his wife carry their precious infant to the front doorstep, where the grateful couple waited with both anticipation and compassion. The infant cooed blissfully as she was passed from one woman’s arms to the other’s.
The mothers embraced, gently pressing the baby girl between them. “When your health returns,” the neighbor said, “we will bring her back to you.”
But the mother did not get well. Some months after this painful parting, she passed away.
As the bereaved father struggled through his grief, he continued working hard to keep his three older children fed, clothed, and housed.
After more than five years slipped by, the youngest one began attending school with all her siblings in the one-room schoolhouse. That year, as Thanksgiving drew close, the older children approached their dad and asked if the youngest could return home to live and if they could all be together in time for Christmas.
They’d seen her on church Sundays and eaten the district-wide meal with her after those services, but bringing her home had not been possible. “I would love nothing more,” he said. “But I don’t make enough money to provide for her.”
His children gathered around. “We can all help,” the eldest said. She fingered the sleeve of her frayed coat, which was already too small for her. “This could last one more winter. And I don’t need a new pair of gloves for Christmas like I asked for. I can patch the ones I have.”
Her sister took Dad’s hand. “I can alter Mom’s old dresses instead of getting new material to make clothes for next year.”
“And I’ll eat only one slice of bread at dinner instead of three,” the young boy said. The family laughed.
Touched by his children’s sacrificial offers, the father thought of more ideas for making extra money. “With a bit more help from you girls, we could expand the garden so we will have more produce to sell during the summer months.”
He turned to his son. “If you could help me add stalls to the barn, we can rent parts of the building to our neighbors. They’re looking for space to raise their new calves.”
The children eagerly agreed to the plans. Their hearts soared with hope.
The father and his excited children clambered into the carriage and headed for the home of the couple who’d been taking care of their baby sister. When the horse stopped at the front gate, they saw the young girl playing in the yard. Even though the dad spent time with her on church Sundays and at district-wide events, she seemed like such a big girl that day. In spite of holding her a couple of times each month since giving her to this family, the father’s heart ached over the years he’d missed with his littlest daughter. He wondered how she and her new parents would feel about her returning to her family.
The couple emerged from the house and embraced the father and his children. The woman called to the little girl, and she came toward them.
“She will be thrilled to be going home with you,” the woman said. “We’ve always told her this day would come.”
After the dad asked his little girl if she’d like to come to his home to live, she jumped into his arms. The older children surrounded them.
The father told the couple about the plans they had made that would help them provide for the youngest one. Both families rejoiced over the little girl returning home.
In the days that followed, the father and his children continued to fight against poverty, but in the midst of it they bonded with one another and found joy in the little things life offered. A beautiful sunrise, building snowmen, walking together to school and to the home where church would be held, sledding down the backyard hill, silently praying at the dinner table, always knowing they had each other.
A week before Christmas the dad received a hundred dollars in the mail. None of the family knew who the money came from, but they each had ideas for how it could be spent.
“Food,” suggested the son, smacking his lips and rubbing his belly.
“New winter clothing,” the middle daughter said, her eyes aglow.
“Perhaps,” added the oldest girl, “we could get fresh prayer Kapps so we’re not dishonoring God by wearing tattered ones.”
The father turned to his youngest girl, who had so recently been reunited with them. “I think we should let her decide.” He brought the little one onto his lap. “What do you think we should do with the money?”
Her face lit up with a bright smile. “I think we should help someone who is poor.”
The family looked at one another. Didn’t she realize they were poor?
After a moment, the oldest daughter mentioned a non-Amish man who lived down the road. “He is more poor than anybody I know. I’ve heard that he doesn’t have any family either.”
They all heartily agreed to take every penny of that hundred dollars to the man.
They rode in a carriage to the old man’s house. Dad knocked on the door. After several moments, it creaked open.
“Merry Christmas,” the father said as he handed him the cash.
The old man’s body shook and tears soon rolled down his face.
He invited them into his home, walking stiffly. He told them he’d injured his back at work months ago, and he was unable to return to his job for a while. “I’m afraid I have nothing to offer you in return.” The old man sat with a groan. “This winter has been the worst of them all. I’ve been sitting here alone, thinking that no one cared about me. Not even God.”
The old man looked into each of his visitors’ eyes. “Because of what you’ve given me, I’ll be able to keep food on the table until I return to work. I don’t know how to thank you.”
After helping the old man with a few jobs around the house and yard, the family hugged him and said good-bye. As they rode home in their horse-drawn buggy, they held hands and sang carols, basking in the warmth of Christmas joy.
A few years have passed since then, and the dad and children continue to work hard, but poverty has released its awful grip, leaving few signs behind that it had once lived with them. Perhaps the true spirit of the Christmas season is most often found inside of hope that does not have to see help to know it is coming. Blind hope has the power to get us through our toughest times and it continually nudges us onward until we can embrace a better tomorrow.
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
|
|
1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2009 : 2:46:22 PM
|
tears ran as I read this, thank you for the story of hope this holiday season
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
 |
|
|
cheneygal
True Blue Farmgirl
503 Posts
Suzie
Cheney
Wa.
USA
503 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2009 : 5:28:56 PM
|
Channah, thanks for the wonderful read.....tears were running down my face also. The Amish are such wise, giving, caring people and I have always admired their way of life. The story was so inspiring and filled with hope. Thank you for sharing, you made my day!!
live, laugh, love |
|
|
|
Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2009 : 6:05:45 PM
|
What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing with us. You have certainly made my Christmas season a much happier season.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
|
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2009 : 7:14:13 PM
|
God truely does bless those who help others less fortunate. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story with us.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
|
|
|
kpaints
True Blue Farmgirl
1564 Posts
karen
cheney
wa
1564 Posts |
|
|
Cindy Lou
True Blue Farmgirl
2325 Posts
Susan
Lonsdale
MN
USA
2325 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2009 : 8:19:56 PM
|
Count sharing this story as a Christmas gift to us all.
Thank you!
"You can't roller skate in a buffalo herd.....
But you can be happy if you've a mind to. All you've gotta do in knuckle down, buckle down and do it, do it, do it!" |
|
|
|
Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2009 : 8:40:39 PM
|
Channah:
I agree with Susan, "Count sharing this story as a Christmas gift to all of us", I had to re-read the story. Thanks, again.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
|
|
Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2009 : 06:06:18 AM
|
Channah, I too had tears running down my face, but I really need this story this morning! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this story! Blessings,Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
www.KKJD1.etsy.com
http://farmgirlingastyle.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
tea_lady_tammy
True Blue Farmgirl
1485 Posts
Tammy
NE
USA
1485 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2009 : 10:12:17 AM
|
oh what a beautiful story. I needed to read this. I have a bit of bah humbug. God is so good and has given so many blessings.
Blessings
Tammy
Tea is like being in the stars with God.
http://breathsoffaith.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Niamh
True Blue Farmgirl
140 Posts
Idaho
140 Posts |
|
|
N@n
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
Hackett
Arkansas
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2009 : 12:14:48 PM
|
Thank you Channah.
keep searchin'-it's out there somewhere. |
|
|
|
maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2009 : 5:41:07 PM
|
You are all very welcome!!!
Hugs,
Channah
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
|
|
|
laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1715 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - Dec 12 2009 : 6:56:53 PM
|
Channah, What a wonderful Christmas story. Sad but full of hope. A blessing to read. Thanks.
Laurie
suburban countrygirl at heart |
|
|
|
herblady55
True Blue Farmgirl
3470 Posts
Judy
Louisville
Ohio(Stark Co)
USA
3470 Posts |
Posted - Dec 13 2009 : 12:48:38 PM
|
Oh wow, What a tug that gave to my heart! Thank you for sharing!
Judy
Hugs&Squeezles!
I am not contained between my hat and my boots! -Walt Whitman- |
|
|
|
maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Dec 13 2009 : 2:08:11 PM
|
you are all so welcome!! When I read this story I asked myself what I would do if I was in the same situation. Would I give up my child, would I give 100 dollors to the poor when I really needed the money? What would you ladies do?
Hugs,
Channah
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
|
|
|
laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1715 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - Dec 13 2009 : 8:46:28 PM
|
I would keep my child and find a way to servive but never give my child or children away. They are to precious to me. The money I would give to some family who really needed it. I believe this would be the true meaning of Christmas.
Hugs,
Laurie
suburban countrygirl at heart |
|
|
|
maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 11:39:33 AM
|
I was thinking ths same thing Laurie! I don't know how anyone could ever give up there child.
Hugs,
Channah
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
|
|
|
paradiseplantation
True Blue Farmgirl
1277 Posts
julie
social springs community
Louisiana
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2009 : 2:44:57 PM
|
Ah, Channah. It was just what I needed this season. Thank you.
from the hearts of paradise... |
|
|
|
maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2010 : 2:43:29 PM
|
Welcome Julie! It is a wonderful story.
Hugs,
Channah
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
|
|
| |
Across the Fence: Story |
|
Story
