Local Features

Good morning from South Dakota! When things fell into place to go see my sister Faith and her husband and son, we were elated. School will soon be in swing and trips would be over.

I walked next to Julia, we each had a roller suitcase and backpack and were pushing our way through throngs of people. I scanned the signs ahead. Yes, that’s what I was looking for, we need to go up one level then head for Terminal B.

Editor’s Note: This is part two of a three-part series Gloria has written about her recent trip with her daughter Julia.

I never thought I’d get to go out West until our friend Mandy offered to host us in Colorado. A year or two before Daniel passed he told the children he would take them on a trip for their 12 or 13th birthday. Each child would then help choose where they would go to spend a few days with Daddy. Daniel’s goal was to add value and relationship to their bond as a father and son or daughter.

Editor’s Note: Gloria is traveling this week to visit family, so we thought it would be fun, or perhaps bittersweet, to look back at Gloria’s first column which debuted 10 years ago this week as she began writing The Amish Cook. Enjoy this trip down memory lane, Gloria will return next week!

I have those moments that just make me smile; there are little reminders of Daniel and his absolute dedication to us. Though he is deeply missed, there is much comfort and even joy daily. Recently, while cleaning the bathroom closet, I came across Daniel’s shampoo. After he passed, the boys got to use it for a while, and then I stuck the remaining shampoo in the back of the closet. Now, instinctively, I opened the cap. I took a deep sniff. Without even knowing what I was doing, I felt myself relax completely. Yes… Life with Daniel was relaxing and good. Neither of us was perfect, but together we looked to God to work on past our failures and weaknesses.

Editor’s Note: Judith is a friend of Gloria’s and fellow member of their Amish church. She is guest-writing the column this week, Gloria will return next week!

Summer is in full swing. It’s not my favorite season, but I never would want to do without it. Just this afternoon, Joshua came running up to me with a fresh cucumber he picked for me. I took a bite off the end—the ‘tail end’, which is the sweetest. Mmm. Summer, yeah, I do like summer. Little boys with tanned cheeks, beads of sweat, and broad smiles over their latest find in the garden… it all marks the joys of summer.

I am amazed by how much life changes and how little I find out about those shifts on a day-to-day basis.

It’s a brand new day; I’m still blinking the sleep from my eyes. In a thousand guesses, you’d probably still be guessing what alarm clock I had this morning again. Perhaps you never have heard the likes, but guess what, I didn’t either until this spring!