Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges
Greg and Gabe have only been back from Metz for a day when they are ready to go off again, this time to find the places where noble families plot their children’s successes. We aren’t of the aristocracy, but Greg would like to be trained as a nobleman’s guard anyway. And Gabe has his mind set on becoming a monk at Luxeuil. I know, seeing their enthusiasm, making plans to leave home so young, is as hard for Ana as it is for me, but she isn’t arguing to stop them. In fact, she is urging me to see them through these changes, thinking always and only of their happiness in life. I fear she doesn’t really see the consequences of what she’s saying. And I don’t want to make this an argument that divides our family.
Ana and I make a plan that I will go with both boys to Luxeuil, and let Greg observe as I help Gabe negotiate a place as a novice monk. I do have connections there, even though I’m not a wealthy benefactor as is often needed to send a child off to a monastery. After that we can discuss Greg’s plan. I’m still not ready to yield to that.
It’s only a half days’ walk to Luxeuil but I surely need to have my healing from the wound well behind me so my grueling misfortune doesn’t become my sons’ burden again. I’m pretty sure I can do this. But Ana decides Sister Colleen needs to see her old pet donkey, Jack, again, so we will take the donkey cart. We also don’t want to put the whole burden of the extra work at home onto Simon and Hannah.
So, it is agreed we will stop at our neighbors and arrange for Charlie to come over, sometimes, while we are away, to work for us here. We will carry a bird with us to let Ana know when we plan to return, but it shouldn’t take more than a couple of days.
At Luxeuil the boys are taken to meet with the teacher and I’m sent to an overseer of gifts to the monastery. I know it is usual to give a large gift to support the community as a gesture of gratitude for a child entering into preparation to become a monk. I will soon learn if that is required of me.
(Continues Tuesday, June 27)
Lazarus Ink 