A Blessing for Miriam (44 page)

Authors: Jerry S. Eicher

Miriam looked up slowly and focused on the canvas
Mamm
was holding. There was a stream, a small bridge, a log, and water flowing, each ripple clearly seen. Miriam sat upright and gently took the painting from
Mamm’s
hand.

“Do you know where this is?”
Mamm
asked.

Tears blinded Miriam.

“Do you?”
Mamm
repeated.

“
Yah
,” Miriam choked. “It’s the place where Wayne asked me to wed him. The place where I gave him my heart. He’d said something about having it painted, but I thought he was teasing.”

Miriam clutched the canvas tightly to her. “Even from heaven Wayne has blessed me.” She raised her eyes toward the heavens and whispered. “Thank you, Wayne. How I’ve loved you.”

Discussion Questions

1. The story opens with a letter from Miriam’s
mamm
. What advantage does this form of communication have over more modern forms? Does letter writing deepen relationships? Is slower better at times?

2. How well did Miriam handle Esther Swartz’s return to Oklahoma and Esther’s attempt to renew her relationship with Wayne Yutzy?

3. Do you think Miriam should have kept the secret of the two million dollar gift from her family?

4. Wayne Yutzy returns to the site of their engagement with Miriam where they renew their relationship and plan their wedding date. How does this choice illuminate Wayne’s character?

5. What are your feelings on the insistence of Miriam’s father that money is always evil and always corrupts? How well did Miriam deal with her father?

6. What advice would you have for Shirley? Should she have renewed her friendship with Jonas Beachy? Would their relationship have survived? Would you want Shirley to marry into the Beachy family?

7. How well is Ivan Mast adjusting to his marriage with Laura? Was Laura wise to marry him? Do you think their marriage would have been happy?

8. What are your feelings on Wayne’s dalliance with Esther while Miriam visited in Possum Valley? Was the incident inevitable? Could Esther have succeeded if she’d handled the matter differently? Do you sympathize with Esther?

9. Does Miriam’s choice to forgive Wayne for kissing Esther raise your opinion of her? What would you have done in a similar situation?

10. When Shirley ventured forth a new
rumspringa
adventure, she met Glen Weaver. What do you think of him? What do you think drew him to Shirley?

11. When Wayne and his sister, Joy, are taken in the tornado, what do you think of the Amish’s unquestioning belief in the Lord’s will? Do you think this prevents bitterness? How does it help with the grieving process? Would you make similar choices?

12. What do you think of the ending of the book? What do you think the future holds for Miriam?

About the Author

Jerry Eicher’s
Amish fiction has sold more than 700,000 books. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina, and their four children in Virginia.

A Checklist of Jerry Eicher’s Harvest House Books

The Adams County Trilogy

Rebecca’s Promise

Rebecca’s Return

Rebecca’s Choice

Hannah’s Heart

A Dream for Hannah

A Hope for Hannah

A Baby for Hannah

Little Valley Series

A Wedding Quilt for Ella

Ella’s Wish