Chapter 1 #2
Very funny. What I meant was that you are the right age for our writing letters to each other.
Not that age has anything to do with it.
Although it would be weird if you were a lot older or younger than me.
Ugh, now that I think about it, I probably shouldn’t have mentioned our ages.
Let’s forget I brought it up. Sometimes I do or say things that are impulsive and I’m trying to be better about that.
I’d get rid of this letter and start all over, but my aunt has work for me to do this afternoon so I need to get it in the mail right away.
Phoebe
December 11
Dear Phoebe,
I’m the opposite of impulsive. My sister tells me I think too much, and that I’m too slow to make a decision. Maybe she’s right. But I’m terrified of making a mistake. I’ve made so many in my life.
You know, I’ve never admitted that to anyone.
Not about making the mistakes—some of those are hard to hide, and people find out about them sooner or later.
But I’ve never told anyone about being afraid.
I know God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but sometimes it’s hard to remember that, especially when you’re faced with the fallout of the choices you’ve made.
Worrying about making another mistake shouldn’t get to me, but sometimes it does.
Maybe one day I can throw caution to the wind and not have to rethink things over and over.
I’m glad you’re a little spontaneous. We might not be writing to each other if you weren’t.
Are you spending Christmas with your family in Fredericktown, or does your aunt still need you to stay with her?
It’s going to be a quiet Christmas here—just my sister, Leanna, and me.
We’ll probably go next door the day after Christmas and visit with our neighbors.
I’m looking forward to the break from work.
Jalon
December 14
Dear Jalon,
I’m honored you would trust me with such a secret.
And I understand about mistakes. I’ve made more than my fair share.
I’m hoping I’m learning from them, through God’s grace.
He is merciful. Since you trusted me with something so important to you, I’ll tell you a secret of mine—I almost didn’t join the Amish church.
I went through a period of time when I wasn’t sure about a lot of things, including whether I wanted to remain Amish.
Fortunately, I wised up and realized how much I needed my faith and my family.
I love my family so much. I miss them too.
I don’t have any plans to see them soon, though.
My aunt and I will spend Christmas here.
I hope you don’t mind if I ask you another personal question. What do you look like? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I’m just curious. Not that I think looks matter much. A person can be beautiful on the outside but filled with ugliness, and vice versa.
Phoebe
P.S. I have a feeling you’re handsome both inside and out.
December 18
Dear Phoebe,
Thanks for the compliment. I’m nothing special in the looks department. Brown hair, brown eyes, just a regular guy. I am tall, a bit over six feet. I guess that’s not exactly average, but it’s nothing unusual either. I hope you’re not disappointed.
I agree that looks don’t matter much in the long run. I’ve also known some of those pretty people who weren’t so nice on the inside. But if I was a betting man, I would say your looks match your personality, which means you must be very pretty.
I went through a time when I wasn’t sure if I wanted to join the church.
I had friends who joined as soon as they turned sixteen, but I held back and didn’t join until I was twenty-two.
I love my family, too, but they weren’t the reason I stayed.
When I realized I didn’t need anything but my faith, I joined the church.
I don’t have any regrets. Although I do miss driving a car.
Jalon
P.S. I wouldn’t mind you telling me what you look like. You asked me first, after all.
December 20
Dear Jalon,
What do I look like? Well, I’ve got dark brown hair.
It’s almost black. I’m a little on the short side, I think five foot four but it’s been so long since anyone has measured I can’t really remember.
My eyes are blue, although my mother says they turn gray when I’m angry.
I have to take her word for it. It’s not like I look in a mirror when I’m mad! But overall I’m pretty plain.
You used to drive a car? I drove a car once, when I was twenty. I felt so free at the time, even though I was breaking the rules and the law. I hope you won’t think less of me for that.
Phoebe
P.S. Thank you for saying I must be pretty. That made me smile.
December 22
Dear Phoebe,
I could never think less of you. Remember, I’ve broken plenty of rules. I promise, you can tell me anything and I won’t judge you for it. I’m the last person on earth who has the right to judge anyone.
Leanna’s decided to go visit our parents for Christmas, so it’s just me here holding down the fort. We’ve got a few pigs along with a pair of old draft horses, plus my buggy horse. Then there’s Blue, Leanna’s Maine Coon cat. I guess I’ll have plenty of company anyway.
Merry Christmas,
Jalon
P.S. I’m glad I made you smile.
December 27
Dear Jalon,
I’m sorry I’m late writing this letter. My aunt and I were busy finishing quilts for the other families in the district.
She makes quilts for them every year, and she asked me to help.
She’s an expert seamstress, unlike me. I can sew a straight line and that’s about it.
It does take me longer and she lost patience with me a few times, but we got the quilts done and took them to the families the day after Christmas.
My hands ache a little from all the sewing, but the families liked the quilts.
I didn’t know my aunt was so generous. She’s full of surprises.
I did have some time to bake a few Christmas cookies like the ones with this letter. I hope you enjoy them.
How is work going? Are you still putting in lots of overtime? I know how important work is, but make sure you’re getting plenty of rest. Also, find some time to do something fun! Obviously you can’t go fishing in the winter, but surely there’s something else you like to do that makes you happy.
Phoebe
P.S. I wasn’t going to write this, but I changed my mind. I didn’t like hearing that you were alone for Christmas. Animals are great, but they aren’t Christmas company. I hope you weren’t lonely. That’s one of the worst feelings in the world.
January 1
Dear Phoebe,
These cookies are the best I’ve ever had.
Seriously. You should go into the cookie baking business.
My favorite ones were the candy cane sugar cookies.
I was surprised they tasted a little like peppermint.
I shared them with Leanna. Actually, I let her have only one, mostly so she’d stop pestering me.
I wanted to savor the rest. She called me greedy, but I’m all business when it comes to food. Especially delicious food.
Anytime you want to send me cookies, go right ahead. I won’t mind at all. I can pay you for them. They would be worth every penny.
I’m still working overtime, but we’ve had to call off a few days over the past month because of bad weather.
I usually spent that time working around here.
There’s always something that needs to be done.
My father started on a dawdi haus right before they moved away, so whenever I get a chance I work on that.
I don’t like the idea of leaving something unfinished, although my dad obviously doesn’t have a problem doing that.
I did spend the day after Christmas with my neighbors, the Yoders. They have lots of kids. Not as many as your parents have, though. I had a good time.
I am doing something that makes me happy. I’m writing to you.
Jalon
P.S. I know what you mean about being lonely. Sometimes you can be surrounded by people and still feel alone.
P.P.S. If you ever get lonely, think about me.
January 3
Dear Jalon,
I’m glad you liked the cookies, but I don’t think people would want to buy them.
I’ll bake some more and send them to you, but you don’t have to pay me.
They will be my gift to you. Who knows, maybe someday I could make pancakes with maple syrup for you.
And don’t forget eggs Benedict. I also make a delicious pizza.
It’s my brothers’ favorite meal. They never complain when they have pizza.
Writing to you makes me happy too. I wish the mail delivered faster. I’d write to you every day if it did.
I do think about you, Jalon, and not just when I’m lonely.
Phoebe
January 5
Dear Phoebe,
I love pizza and pancakes with maple syrup. I’m sure I’d love eggs Benedict, whatever that is. If you’re cooking them for me, I’m positive I’ll enjoy it.
I also think about you, Phoebe. A lot. There’s something else that’s been on my mind too. I need to stop rolling it around in my head and just tell you. You know how much I like getting your letters. We’ve been writing to each other for a while, and I think it’s time we met face-to-face.
I’d like to come see you in Dover, Phoebe. Let me know when I can, and I’ll be there.
Jalon
January 10
Dear Jalon,
I want to meet you in person, too, but we should wait until spring. The weather is so unpredictable in the winter, and I wouldn’t want you to get stuck ...