Christmas Gift for Rose (9780310336822) Read Online Free

help. Should we place our religion above the care of others?
    I’m writing a letter, sharing my heart beliefs with Mem and Dat too. If you could stop by soon and comfort them, I know they will need it. There are many who won’t understand my choice or my reasons. I am willing to accept that.
    But more than anything I hope you’ll understand. I can’t bear the thought of disappointing you. When I return—and I plan to return—I only want one thing, Rose: to marry you and to live a happy, peaceful life.Please write and tell me you understand. Tell me you agree with my plan.
    Forever yours,
    Jonathan
    Rose had written a letter, but she had not been as understanding as he hoped. She had not agreed to marry him. How could he do this, she’d asked. How could he shame himself, his family, and her? Weren’t there injured men closer? Couldn’t one help returning soldiers without having to join the military? To join the military was to turn one’s back on being Amish. Even reading his letter—well, it sounded more like one from an
Englisch
person!
    Her letter must have crossed his second one in the delivery, because his second letter told her he did not yet realize her disapproval.
    Dear Rose,
    In all my life I would have never imagined all the things I’ve seen, experienced. Just riding on a train for the first time, as I left Ohio, was quite remarkable. Then meeting men from all over the United States during my medical training. Being with these men reminded me of our Amish community. Everyone cares for the others like brothers. When one man is down, thinking of home and family, the others lift him up. (If only the cooking was as fine as that of an Amish cook, but I am adjusting.)
    But even greater than seeing New York City, sailing across the Atlantic, or setting foot onto France, was seeing Paris. We arrived not long after liberation, and I know as a Plain person I shouldn’t be so enamored with fine things, but even after all the destruction of the war I never thought such a place could exist. It’s as if man looked at God’s beautiful flowers and used stone to create arches and gateways. The buildings rise tall and white, reminding me of my farm with its first covering of fresh snow. The people are thin and war torn, but full of joy that they are no longer under German occupation. I’ve heard horrible stories of what they endured, and I’m already putting my medical skills to good use.
    Speaking of which, I’m on duty in just a few minutes. Give your family my love.
    Forever yours,
    Jonathan
    Tears filled Rose’s eyes. She’d wished she could be happy about his news, his experiences. Part of her still wanted to be. Part of her wished she could ask him over for Thanksgiving dinner—to enjoy spending time with him. Yet if she’d learned one thing growing up, it was that one compromise led to more, and soon one would no longer be Amish. If each individual did what he or she saw fit, there would be no community and church. Soon they would be no different than the
Englisch.
    “There can only be one right way,” Rose mumbled asshe folded Jonathan’s letters and placed them back in the box. But even as the words escaped her, her mind wished it wasn’t so.
    She loved Jonathan, but confessing that to him would mean disagreeing with her bishop—the man who stood before God.
    She thought back to the words of Jonathan’s letter.
“I would have never imagined all the things I’ve seen.”
How could he stay Amish after that? Would he ever be content in Berlin? Rose expected that any day she’d hear the news that he’d left for good—not only their community, but also the Amish. And if they’d married, where would that leave her?
    She couldn’t imagine not being in this community, not being Amish. It would be hard enough moving into her own home, leaving Mem and this place. But to risk being shunned by her family and all she knew … Rose couldn’t bear it.
    Rose returned the small box and closed the trunk.