Planted with Hope (31 page)

“The way I see it there's a war now that's just as great a threat. It's a threat to our communities. People don't think about their neighbors anymore. They don't even know their neighbors. I used to know every person up and down my street, but as the old folks
have died or moved away new people moved it. They pull into their garages and quickly shut the doors. Or they put up fences and gates. They're trying to protect themselves, so they say, but they're missing out.” Janet rubbed her hip, but continued on.

“Children today watch more television than they play outside. Families eat in separate rooms of the house. That's why I'm drawn to Pinecraft—drawn to the families there. Neighbors still know each other. They sit on front porches or meet at the park to chat. And that's why I got so excited when Elizabeth told me about your garden. It took me back.” Janet paused and looked at Hope. “You remind me so much of her. You'd have liked my mother, and she would have liked you.”

Hope nodded. “I have a feeling I would.” Hope looked around again.

“We donated our garden to the city, but hearing about your garden reminded me of my mother's first efforts, and I wanted to be a part of that. I know she'd like knowing that you read her story. Now I want to hear more of yours, especially if it has some romance. Romance books have always been my favorite.”

Hope rose and pushed Janet over to the rows of melons, hoping to get a better view of how they were growing.

“I'd love to share my story, but there isn't much romance in it. Jonas and I do have a growing friendship.”

The disappointment was clear on Janet's face. “I understand, but please tell me what you've learned—even if it's not about love.”

“Well, because of your mother's journal I decided to open up the garden to the community. Yesterday children from the Amish school came to help me. Jonas—as you know—is one of the teachers there.”

Hearing his name, Jonas approached. His hands and pants were covered in mulch, but a huge smile filled his face.

“Having the garden open to the community is better than I expected,” Hope continued. “I thought I loved gardening before, but I'm discovering new things to enjoy now. Like yesterday, I realized that gardening can be enjoyed by all ages. We had a gardener who'd been gardening for sixty years, at least, and today we had children who were doing it for the first time. And for both the process is the same—digging the soil, planting the seed, watering.”

“Sort of like prayer,” Jonas cut in.

“Excuse me?” Hope asked.

“I was thinking about that when I heard Emma praying the other night,” Jonas explained. “Ruth Ann sometimes prays aloud while she's cooking, and Emma picked it up. She was talking to God as if He was sitting right there next to her, and it reminded me of my grandmother. Even when she tried to pray silently, her lips always moved and I'd watch them, trying to figure out what she was saying. Anyone, any age can come to God.”

“I suppose we're the ones who try to make things more complicated.”

Janet leaned back in the chair and lifted her face to the breeze. “You two are so wise for being so young.” She chuckled. “It took me many years to figure all this out.”

Hope wanted to tell Janet about Jonas's loss. There was no doubt that as he drew closer to God for comfort and strength, he was changed too.

“I've learned that if it's not a matter of life and death, it's not worth fighting about… and it's not worth putting a barrier between you and the one you love,” said Janet. “Which brings me to the story of the children.”

“The children?” Hope asked.

“Remember when we had lunch I told you that the garden would have an effect on the children? When school started in
1942 my mother got an idea. She got those in my class involved in helping with the harvest. And the best part was that all of them took home a lot of produce that fall. With so much rationing it was a huge blessing for those families. Even now when I talk to old schoolmates they always mention the garden.”

“Well, I suppose our idea wasn't too unique then?”

“Just goes to show that a good idea is timeless.” Janet smiled again, but weariness was clear on her face.

“Thank you, Janet, for inviting us. Seeing all this has confirmed what God has been telling me,” said Hope.

Jonas wheeled Janet back to the house, and a nurse was waiting next to the ramp by the front door.

“There you are,” the nurse called. “I was just coming to get you for a nap.”

They said a quick goodbye and then the driver pulled up to take them home.

“That's a special lady,” Hope said as they pulled away. “I'm so thankful that Elizabeth introduced us.”

“
Ja
, she is special.” Jonas reached over and placed his hand on Hope's. “And speaking of special ladies, I think you're one, too, Hope. Would you like to come over to my sister's house tomorrow night? I already talked to Ruth Ann. She will watch Emma so you and I can spend some time together. I'd love to get to know you better.”

“
Ja,
Jonas.
Danke
.”

The sunshine filling her up inside seemed brighter than that outside the car window. She'd never planned on having a garden in Pinecraft. She'd never planned on meeting someone like Janet. She never planned on being pursued by someone like Jonas, and for the first time in a long time Hope was thankful that her plans hadn't worked out.

June 12, 1942

Eight army fliers were killed when a bomber crashed into Sarasota Bay. I heard there were others injured, but I'm not sure how many. The news has rattled all of us. That's all everyone can talk about. The workers at the garden today were somber. All of us are thinking of those men's families. All of us are thinking of our own.

Hearing about those deaths has helped me to make a decision. I'm going to tell Henry I love him. He's told me twice, and I haven't been sure of it myself. But today, as I thought about the men who lost their lives, all I could think about was having Henry close—not just today but every day of my life. I think this is a sign of love. And I'm going to tell Henry tonight. Lord, please don't let me lose him too. I'm not sure my heart can handle it.

 

Every Small Thing

Rare indeed is the day when a modern housewife could not find in her refrigerator all sorts of odds and ends in the way of food. And it is these leftovers that challenge the imagination of the alert homemaker. She has learned the importance of their utilization for food value as well as economy. She knows, for instance, that the liquids from cooked or canned vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals, and so they go into cocktails and soups instead of down the sink. She has become aware of the value of saving everything from peapods to grapefruit and melon rinds and of preparing and presenting them at the table with eye and appetite appeal.

Never a piece of vegetable so small but that it can go into the salad or be made into a garnish or added to the soup. No bit of fruit, but it can be made to brighten an aspic, garnish a chop plate, top a meringue or decorate a cake.
^*

^*
Ruth Berolzheimer,
250 Ways to Serve Fresh Vegetables
(Culinary Arts Institute, 1940), 2.

Chapter Twenty-Four

The best things in life are not things.

A
MISH
P
ROVERB

H
ope put on her blue dress and walked to Ruth Ann's house with a lightness to her steps. Jonas must have been watching for her because he opened the door even before she knocked.

“Ruth Ann and Emma insist that you and I have dinner with everyone at the big table, but I have something special set up in the backyard for after. I hope you don't mind.”

“Of course I don't mind.” She stepped inside and breathed in deeply. “I'm looking forward to spending time with your family.”

Within minutes Ruth Ann had filled the table with all the fixings for a haystack supper. She watched as Jonas piled up the rice, cauliflower, ground beef, and so much more. He wasn't shy about eating. Hope tucked away that knowledge for future use. Ruth Ann seemed especially pleased with Hope's presence. Every one of Hope's comments was met with a nod of approval and a smile. There was no room to doubt what Jonas's sister thought of their growing relationship.

Ruth Ann's daughter Hannah joined them halfway through. She still had two months to go before the birth of her twins, and
she looked larger than almost any pregnant woman Hope had seen. She looked uncomfortable and picked at everything on her plate. Though she tried to be cheerful, Hope had compassion for the woman who was just her age. And just to think, the pregnancy was just the beginning. Soon she'd have two infants to care for, with a husband who often left town for construction jobs.

Maybe Ruth Ann will be so busy still helping her daughter there will be need for Jonas to return to Pinecraft in the fall.
But the thought was futile. Where would
she
be in the fall? That had yet to be determined.

“Oh Hope, I wish that I could come and see your garden. Being on bedrest sure isn't fun. I'm tired of lying on my back all day.”

Hope thought about Janet and their stroll in the garden. “What about a wheelchair? My dat has one he doesn't use much. I'm sure you could borrow it.”