Historical setting: 589 C.E. Ana’s cottage in the Vosges Mts.
The anticipation that fills this house just now is the complete terror of hope. No one ever speaks aloud of hope being terror, but we all know. Hopes and joys and promises always appear as blessings, but hopes are hidden fear. Awful possibility haunts as a shadow behind every dangerous journey. It lurks in the darkness of the minds of sailors and travelers preparing for voyages packing a travel bag with a flute in case there is dancing on deck, but also with the leaves of hyssop to ward off the odors of death. And like any journey, birth into life is wrought with fear. Hope and fear are always close traveling companions.
Dear God, give us the fearless wisdom to nurture hope.
Thole stayed the night. Ana lay awake all night considering what to tell Thole, whispering to me her thoughts and plans.
“Perhaps a monastery with women in medicine would have books about dangerous births or at least the midwives there could share advice with me. Do you know of a convent such as this, Laz?”
“I do know of just such a place, but it’s such a long way to Poitiers from here. I’ll go with you Ana, but how could we leave here now, with our own gardens planted and all our own hopes and dreams just starting?”
“You pray about it, Laz. God will surely offer you the clarity of purpose: is it more important to watch the oats and beans grow, or to care for one who is in need?”
“Of course, Ana. I should know I can’t be husband to God’s own angel without my first thought being to care for others also.”
“You can put off the work of this place, Laz. Thole will bring horses so we can travel those distances quickly, and I will see all the monasteries that have the knowledge of these things tucked away with secrets. I can search the writings of the Romans and Greeks who knew medicine so well. Then we can find the knowledgeable women so that when Tilp’s baby comes, I will know better than anyone but God what can be done to save both mother and child. Just think of that wonder. I have time to learn it well! God answers our hopes and prayers that I may truly be of value in the work to let generations continue.”
Dear God, Thank you. I see you are all about saving the ever after. Amen.
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 