Historical Setting, 629 C.E. Vosges Mts.
The three generations of Ana’s – Ana, Hannah and granddaughter Ann — are back home now after a journey to the Waldelenas castle lands. They traveled by donkey cart to visit Will and Layla’s new baby. Ann comes running up the hill bubbling with news of her first ever journey away from home, and her first ever night in a different house and a different sleeping floor. There is pride to be had in this ten-year-old’s courage. Now Hannah and Ana come walking the weary donkey up the hill. I brush him down and put him to pasture before I come in for the update.
The news is that new mother and baby are strong and healthy. I ask how is Will doing?
Hannah offers the medical assessment. “We found no bruises on Layla or the baby.”
Ana knows what I’m asking, “Will seems a proud and gentle new father. The added responsibility seems to give him purpose.”
Little Ann chimes in, “When that papa at Layla’s came out to meet us he put our donkey up then went off to see the neighbors.”
“So, he wasn’t there for your visit?”
Ana answers, “No he was there. He came back with some neighbors he wanted to introduce to his mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and the baby’s cousin. One of the men told me to tell you he’s grateful to you for helping him break his field this first year. He said he recognized our donkey right off when we were turning onto the road.”
Hannah added, “Will called us ‘his family’ when he introduced us.”
“You are his family now, Hannah.” I mention, “That’s what marriage is all about.”
“Ugh, I would think his family was probably a bunch of fat and lazy drunks.”
“Isn’t a wedding supposed to be a celebration of families merging?” That and a spectacular earthly metaphor for love from which children are conceived. It’s probably God’s hope in gifting us with free choice that marriage brings strangers together into the one universal love.” Lecturing now, I seem to pretend I knew the ‘love your enemy’ thing all along. Thank you, God.
Hannah brings me back to earth. “Will shared a keg of ale with the neighbors, then he slept outside so the women could sleep in the straw beds.”
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 