The Redemption of Sarah Cain (39 page)
Well, come next November, I’ll marry Levi. I’ll keep teaching at the Peach Lane School till a few days before our wedding. A dowry was set aside for me, all planned by Mamma before her passing, Aunt Sarah told me.
As for me marryin’ and makin’ a home with Levi, I have every confidence my brothers and sisters will be well cared for here. My leaving will free up a bedroom for Anna Mae, who’s comin’ up on twelve real soon. That’ll make an empty spot in Hannah’s room for Aunt Sarah’s baby . . . if and when that happens. And by the way Uncle Bryan and Aunt Sarah seem to fall into each other’s eyes, I ’spect it won’t be long before there’ll be another little one living in Dat’s country farmhouse. Speakin’ of bedrooms, Mamma’s old room is all spruced up modern with wallpaper and curtains, even some cut flowers!
Uncle Bryan shorted out the electrical system the other night. Guess all that fancy computer equipment of his takes up plenty-a power. Anyway, we had us a candlelight supper like the Old Order folk often did in the old days, before gas lamps. ’Twas lots of fun, though, and Uncle Bryan held Aunt Sarah’s hand and told us stories of growin’ up in Boston, ridin’ the subway, and walking ’round Boston Commons. Things most any father would tell their children.
Bein’ this happy seems like a wonderful-gut dream to me sometimes. Honestly, I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if Mamma and Dat have
some
idea just how blessed their children are. Best of all, we’ll see them in Glory some sweet day. When that time comes, I’ll remind Mamma that I kept my promise with the dear Lord’s help.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. . . .
I
am grateful for the patience and wisdom of many people during the writing of this book.
There was ongoing prayer support, careful editing, and love from my husband, Dave, paving the way for Sarah Cain and Lydia Cottrell to come alive in my heart and on paper.
I offer my heartfelt appreciation to my editors, Barb Lilland, Anne Severance, and Carol Johnson, whose faith in my work gave me courage for the journey.
Numerous references offered a wellspring of inspiration, from such authentic works about the Amish and their way of life as—
Amish Women
, by Louise Stoltzfus,
The Amish, In Their Own
Words
, compiled by Brad Igou,
The Amish Quilt
, by Eve Wheatcroft Granick,
A Fruitful Vine
, by Carrie Bender, and
Amish
Society
, by John A. Hostetler. If there are inaccuracies in my portrayal of the Lancaster County Amish, gleaned from any of the above-mentioned resources, I bear sole responsibility.
I wish to thank my prayer partners, family members, resource gatherers, loyal encouragers, and manuscript readers who prayed, assisted in research, and sent Lancaster County-based news clippings, books, brochures, and other regional information. They cheered me on during the lengthy process of the writing and are the following: various unnamed Amish and Mennonite friends and contacts, the Mennonite Information Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, my dear ‘‘Pen Women’’ friends, John and Ada Reba Bachman, Doran and Elise Bartle, Jerry and Shari Bieber, Carole Billingsley, Dale and Barbara Birch, Julie Buxman, Becky Byler, Glenda Cooper, Roswell Flower, Verna Flower, Bill and Beverly Fry, Susan and Tabitha Gordon, Tom and Anne Gray, Don and Jeannette Green, Sandi Heisler, June Heimsoth, John Henderson, Bob and Aleta Hirschberg, Herb and Jane Jones, Iris Jones, Eline Lardie, Connie McKenzie, Martha Nelson, Steve and Nancy Oates, Mona Paulson, Susan Pelham, Steve Rabey, Barb Reinhard, Alan and Pam Ronn, Len and Barbara Rosner, Barbara Saladin, Laura Taylor, Judy Verhage, RhodaWelsch, and Dave and Linda Woodward.
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