Free My Dearest Naomi by Jerry, Tina Eicher

lonesome for you.
    Dad finished filling silo today. I think that’s the job all Amish farmers like the least, as it’s sticky, hard, hot work.
    Laddie, the colt, is growing like a beanstalk. I didn’t know I could get so attached to an animal, but I figured if I ever did it would be with a horse.I miss your horse, Frosty, too. Partly because she is linked to you, but also I liked Frosty the first time I saw her run. That was before I even knew she was your horse. I’d stand at the living room window where church was being held and watch this gorgeous horse coming down the road, lifting her feet high into the air. I wondered what it would be like to ride behind her. When one of the girls told me it was your horse, it was even more special. And by the way, I didn’t start going with you just so I could ride behind your horse. Don’t be getting any wrong ideas!
Friday evening, 10:30…
    Harvey and his family and your parents have left after a very wonderful evening. Adam, Harvey’s oldest boy, brought his girlfriend, Brenda, along. Anna had her sister Lydia Mae visiting at their house, so she also came.
    Your family came at 6:30, and even though it had been a dreary, misty day, your brothers still set up the volleyball net and wanted to play. So we started. Harvey and his family arrived around 7:00, and we played until suppertime at 7:30. We ate, washed the dishes quickly, and then played again by the light of lanterns.
    I don’t know how many games we played, but on one round one team would win by a large margin, and the next round the other team would do the same thing. It was back and forth, with only one or two games even close. We did more laughing than anything. Your brother, Jared, plus Don, Betsy, and Adam were the clowns. Sometimes I’d be laughing, and the thought of you would cross my mind so it wouldn’t be as funny anymore.
    This evening I was sitting in the kitchen when I was reading your letter the first time. I laughed out loud at one part, and my was mom curious about what was so funny.
    Also, can you give me more details about the “sleeping preachers”?
    I finished rereading your letter again. It cheered me even more the second time. This sure has been a great day.
    Well, it’s 11:15, so goodnight.
    I love you,
    Naomi

September 24
My dearest Naomi ,
    This is Friday evening, and three weeks of school are now behind me. Not much time compared to what I have to go yet, but at least that’s a start.
    I’m invited out for supper tonight at one of the school board members’ homes. Lonnie and Luella are also going. I like being kept occupied evenings with such things. Last night one of the young folk boys took me to a car show just to have something to do. Not that I’m interested in buying a car. They served free coffee and donuts, which were good. Most of the cars were antiques and quite valuable, I was told. They didn’t look all that well made, with wire for wheels and flimsy tops.
    Afterward, we stopped at a sale barn where they have an auction every two weeks, and will have one this Saturday evening. I hope to attend. Not to buy because I really don’t need anything. Auctions are much more interesting than sitting around the house.
    I’m sending you a copy of my schedule at school. Anything that involves reading, like the lower grades’ reading class, social studies, and science is where the bulk of my time goes. The first grade has classes for writing and spelling, and everything has to be read to them since they can’t read yet. Spelling takes two classes for them because they can’t absorb all the instructions in one sitting.
    Arithmetic and English quizzes have to be typed up. Arithmetic quizzes come out of the books, but I choose my own questions. English quizzes are also from the books, but the questions are supplied.
    A lot of the extra work goes into the Bible lessons, which lack answer books. I have to come up with the answers, which I hope are all correct. If it weren’t too