Free A Blessing for Miriam by Jerry S. Eicher

decided as he opened the Bible. He read from the marked place where he’d stopped yesterday morning—Ephesians, chapter five, verse six: “Let no man deceive you with vain words…” He listened to the sound of his own voice and glanced at Laura. She seemed to be listening as well. Why was he hesitant to speak aloud prayers to the Lord? Likely because it involved speech with the Almighty, Ivan told himself. That was something he needed to get over now that he was a married man and the head of his own household.
    Ivan closed the Bible and reached for the prayer book Laura had purchased. Without a sideways glance at Laura, he knelt and waited for her to join him. Then he read the words of the first prayer: “Now he who without thanks and prayer, from morning sleep arises. And he who can forget God’s praises, how sorrowfully he begins the day…” Ivan continued until the end. It was a long prayer, and he said every word with care. He liked speaking prayer aloud, now that he’d begun. This was how things were supposed to be. He was the head of his family, and soon there wouldbe children. And Laura had led him to do this. He ought to thank the Lord especially for her. He had a wife who was not only beautiful, but spiritual enough to guide him to what he needed.
    Ivan stood and closed the book.
    Laura got up also and took his hand. “That was so wunderbah , Ivan. I knew you could do it.”
    “Thanks for the encouragement,” he said quietly. “Now for your shelves.”
    She glowed. “Make them strong, Ivan. Just like our home will be with the Lord’s help.”
    He looked away. “ Yah , I will.” Her praise was unwarranted. Laura deserved more credit than he did, but why say so? He’d savor this bright moment on this dark-and-dreary morning. Hopefully Miriam would be able to hold on to this Wayne Yutzy of hers. He wished her all of life’s happiness and joy. But he wasn’t about to mention that to Laura.

Chapter Ten

    M iriam listened as Wayne told the story at the kitchen table with great expression. “We were in the barn that evening for our chores, and Joy had this bunch of little kittens who were just beginning to stagger about. They’d already learned that we give them fresh milk during chore time, so they’re out waiting with their mother for their treat. Of course, they can’t sit still—and even more so with the sleepy spring flies buzzing around. At first they only snapped at them, but soon they got to swatting with their little paws, followed by tumbles over each other. Esther and Joy couldn’t stop giggling, and I had to join in myself. It was that funny.”
    Miriam looked away from Wayne’s face as the story continued on. Wayne was here for lunch, and somehow the subject of kittens had come up. Wayne had jumped in with this story, but at the mention of Esther’s name, Miriam flinched. At least Esther had only been on the sidelines. Miriam tried to put the image of Esther and Wayne laughing over kittens out of her mind. There was no reason she should be jealous. She had vowed she wouldn’t be.
    “They are the cutest things, I must admit,” Wayne concluded.
    There were chuckles all around the table. Even Uncle William seemed to have enjoyed the tale.
    Moments later a knock came from the front door and silence fell in the kitchen, except for Uncle William. He started to get up, muttering, “I wonder who that is in the middle of the day?”
    Aunt Fannie motioned for him to sit. “I’ll get the door.” She rose and disappeared into the living room.
    Whoever had arrived couldn’t be a big deal. Not much happened in Oklahoma on Saturdays. Everyone moved slower as they got their work done and prepared for Sunday services. Today, even the Englisha had slowed down, as business in the nursery had been light all morning. Miriam had helped out a few hours and then returned to the house to work in the kitchen. The row of pecan pies on the counter was a testament to her morning’s labor. They looked