A Season of Change

A Birthday Celebration

I can’t believe that five years have passed since Tim left the cove. The twins he had with Trudy are five years old today. I wonder if he ever thinks about what they look like after all this time. I am sure that he does.

I still remember the pain in his eyes when he told me he had to leave. I pray every day that he has found the Lord and has taken him as his Savior. That is the only thing that can fill the big void in his life.

Hattie, my husband Charles’s mother has done a good job taking care of the twins. Her daughter Trudy died when they were born. Tim asked me to take them to her the day he left. Julie, Charles’s blind sister is devoted to Trudy’s children. She makes sure they’re at Sunday school every Sunday.

Hattie accepted Jesus as her Savior the day Trudy died. She comes to church with her husband Gus, Julie and the twins, Timothy and Mary.

I wonder if we’ll ever see or hear from Tim again. I sure hope and pray that we do. I’d love to know that he’s alright. All I can do for him is pray and I will continue to do that.

Trudy made me promise to lead Tim to the Lord before she died. If it’s the Lord’s will, someday I’ll get the chance.

Matilda Potts told me last Sunday that papa Collins her father has not been feeling well. I’ll make him an apple stack cake and take it over to him tomorrow. It is one of his favorite kinds of cake. He has always had a fondness for sweets.

Matilda was so good to me when I first married Charles and moved to the cove. That was a true wonder considering she was Amelia’s mother. Amelia was Charles’s first wife. She was Adam and Andy’s mother. She died when the boys were small. Charles and I met in Liddyville where I grew up. He was visiting his aunt Sara. She was a friend of my family.

I married Charles and moved to the cove when Adam and Andy were four years old. They’ll be seventeen on September the tenth.

The Lord has blessed Charles and me to have a wonderful family. In addition to our twin boys, we have Anne who’ll be ten on July the twenty -seventh. Molly will be eight on August the sixteenth. Sadie will be five on my birthday and our wedding anniversary, June the eighteenth. The Lord blessed us with another addition. He will be three on October the twenty –eighth. His name is Cody Wilson McClure. All of our children dote on Cody. I’ll have to admit he is a very sweet little boy. He reminds me so much of Charles. He has the same crooked grin. I smile every time I look at him. He and all the children the Lord has blessed us with, bring so much joy to our lives.

Charles hopes we’ll have even more children. That will suit me just fine. My family means the world to me and I thank the Lord for them every day.

Tonight we will be going to Gus and Hattie’s to join the rest of the family in celebrating Timothy and Mary’s fifth birthday. Gus loves all of his grandchildren, but I’m sure that Timothy and Mary hold a special place in Charles’s father’s heart.

Today will be a happy occasion for the twins, but it will be sad too. We will all be remembering the day that Trudy died. We all miss her so much. Charles talks a lot about his little sister. I know he misses her every day. Julie’s sweet spirit and her special love for Trudy’s children help’s lessen our pain. She lets them know how very much they are loved. She is a wonderful aunt to them. I know that she is trying to make up for them never having known their mother or their father. They are sweet children, being raised by people who love and care for them.

Hattie planned this family supper, so Timothy and Mary would know they had a great big family who wanted to help them celebrate their special day. She’s always doing special things to remind them of how much they are loved.

Gus is always paying special attention to Trudy’s children. Everyone can see how much he misses Trudy.

I am so thankful that Gus, Hattie and Julie are saved. I know it was the only thing that helped them get through Trudy’s death. I thank God that we’ll all get to see her again in heaven.

I had prayed such a long time that Hattie would get saved. It took the death of Trudy for her to see the need to be saved. The loss of Hattie’s son Will when he was twelve years old had made Hattie bitter against the Lord. God in his mercy and his wisdom had touched her heart and made her see the need for salvation.

Hattie told me just the other day that she did not see how in the world she had lived so long without the Lord in her life. I am so thankful that the Lord answered our prayers.

Hattie is like a different person since she came to know Jesus as her Savior. She’s cheerful and happy in spite of her deep grief for Trudy. It is as if she fully rests her hope and future in the Lord. Just as we all should do.

I must hurry and finish up the dishes I’m cooking to take to Hattie’s cabin for the family supper. It won’t be long till the girls are home from school.

Sadie went to sleep while she was trying to get her little brother to take a nap. They’ve both been asleep on Cody’s trundle bed for the past two hours. Sadie often entertains her little brother to help me out. She’s a good helper with the chores also. All our children are good workers.

I sure enjoy the smell of an apple pie baking I thought as I mixed up a batch of biscuits and waited for my pie to bake. I look out the window and see the bright blue sky and the fluffy clouds up above. It is a beautiful day for a family gathering.

Adam and Andy are helping Charles in the fields today. Sometimes they work at the mill with Sam Mills when he needs their help. At times they travel to Harper to haul back things that people have ordered that are shipped on the train.

They are thrifty with their money and they both have a tidy sum saved from their odd jobs. I think they are saving for a fancy buggy to court in. Charles thinks so too. He caught them looking at one at the livery stable the last time he was with them in Harper.

I can’t believe the boys are old enough to think about courting. I saw them looking with interest at the available young ladies at church just last Sunday. I don’t know if they have picked out any girls yet, but I know they’re looking. I’ll need to spend some time in prayer, praying for the Lord’s will in their lives.

Andy is happy to be through with school, but Adam is always reading. He sometimes borrows books from Lou Caldwell the schoolteacher. She is Reverend Caldwell’s mother. She has a lot of books for him to read and study. I sometimes wonder if Adam would be happy if he could go to a university to continue his education.

I pray as I wait for my biscuits to bake. I had baked a ham earlier today to take to the birthday supper. I am looking forward to tonight.

I got out my Bible and did my Bible reading at the kitchen table. Charles had made me a big cabinet to hold all my pots and pans. It came in handy to store things away and keep my kitchen in order. I store my Bible in the cabinet so it will be there when I have extra time for my Bible reading.

In a little while Sadie and Cody wake up from their naps. They hurry to the kitchen to see what I’m doing.

Hello mama, Cody said, crawling into my lap and giving me a big hug and kiss. Sadie gave me a hug and kiss after Cody was through.

Mama, can I fix me and Cody a biscuit with strawberry jam? Sadie asked me. Sure you can, I answered her giving my permission. I poured them big cups of milk while she prepared their biscuits. I finished my Bible reading and read them the story about Samson while they ate.

In just a little while I heard our wagon come into the yard. Andy had stopped his work in the field to go pick up Anne and Molly from school.

Anne and Molly changed their school clothes while I prepared jam biscuits for them and Andy. They were all seated at the kitchen table when I heard Charles and Adam coming from the field.

They stopped by the house and had jam biscuits before they began the barn work. I looked at my pan of biscuits and decided I’d better mix up another batch to take to Hattie’s. I smiled as I put them in the oven. My family could make quick work of a fresh pan of biscuits. I didn’t mind though, I loved to cook for my family.

After the barn work was done and the milk had been stored in the spring house we got ready to go to Hattie’s. I hurried to get everyone ready because I knew that supper at Hattie’s would be on the table promptly at six o’clock.

The weather was beautiful and the afternoon was warm. It wouldn’t be long until summer was upon us. The children all looked forward as I did to the long days of summer. I loved to sit on the big new porch that Charles and the boys had built for us. I loved to sit in my rocker and knit. It was one of my favorite things to do.

Charles would read us books the children brought home from school so we could enjoy them together. Their teacher, Lou Caldwell, was always using any available school funds to buy new books for the school. She let the children borrow the books to take home and share with their families.

The girls enjoyed Lou’s teaching and her kind cheerful ways. She was always a pleasure to be around. I thanked the Lord for Lou. My children couldn’t have a better teacher.

In a short time Hattie’s yard came into sight. Timothy and Mary were playing in the yard. I thought I saw a man at the edge of the woods. I raised my hand to wave, but he was gone. I must have been mistaken.

Happy Birthday Timothy and Mary, Charles called, as he brought the wagon to a stop in the yard. How old are you both? Charles asked them as he helped me down from the wagon. We’re five years old, Timothy told him as he came over to see his cousins. Mary followed behind him.

I sure hope you two have a big birthday cake, Charles told his niece and nephew. Why’s that? Timothy asked. Cause I want a great big piece of cake, Charles told him with a big laugh.

I don’t know what’s going on in the kitchen, Mary said. Every time me and Timothy try to go in there grandma Hattie or aunt Julie shoos us out like a pesky housefly, Mary told Charles. That’s a good sign, Charles told them. Why do you say that? Mary asked him. Cause that means there’s big fixin’s goin’ on in the kitchen. That always meant a big cake when I was a boy, Charles told them.

Oh boy, I can hardly wait, Timothy said. Me too, Mary added. Charles winked at me and gave me his crooked grin.

Adam and Andy went to help Charles with the wagon. Anne, Molly, and Sadie went off to play with Timothy and Mary. I carried Cody into the cabin.

I knocked on the front door and heard Hattie call come in. I followed her voice into the kitchen.

Hattie and Julie were bustling around stirring pots and pans on the stove and icing two big birthday cakes. The cakes sat on a table in the corner that Hattie kept for desserts.

Hello Jewel. Hello sweet boy, Hattie said, giving Cody a big kiss. Cody reached out his arms for Hattie. He loved her dearly. Granny, granny! he shouted.

Hattie wiped her hands on her apron and took him in her arms. She headed for the kitchen rocker to hold him on her lap. Cody, you’re jest the excuse I need to take a break, Hattie told him.

Can I have a cookie? Cody asked Hattie. Julie, git Cody a cookie iffen Jewel don’t think it’ll spoil his supper. Hattie looked at me hopefully and I gave my permission. You can have one cookie and that is all you can have before supper, I told Cody. Alright mama, Cody agreed, giving me his sweetest smile. I did so love my precious little boy.

In just a short while the rest of the family begin to arrive. Charles brought in my food and I placed it on the table. Everyone else added the food they had brought. I looked at all the food that Hattie was cooking on the stove and knew that we would have a feast.

Charles’s little brother Joe and his wife Sue put their food on the table. Their children Daisy and Joey ran outside to play with the other children. Sue put their two month old daughter Cindy in the cradle in Gus and Hattie’s bedroom. I can’t wait until she wakes up so that I can hold her. I’ll probably have to wait in line for the chance. A new baby in the McClure clan is exciting for all of us.

Charles’s younger brother Sam and his wife Liz are in the front room of the cabin. All of their children are with them. Lindy, David, Violet, Nancy and little Gus hurry outside to greet their cousins. When we all get together there is quite a crowd. Gus and Hattie’s cabin is filled wall to wall.

Since it is such a nice May evening Gus has set up tables in the back yard for all the children and the young people. They love to get to eat outside.

Jim Stepp our neighbor married Gus’s widowed mother and they raised Jim’s nieces and nephews after their parents died. Tim, Timothy and Mary’s father is the oldest of Jim’s nephews. Lucy, Jane and Jimmy still live with Jim and granny Rose. Lucy is planning to marry a young man from Harper in June. He is the storekeeper’s son. Lucy is excited about getting married, but she will miss the cove. I know that Jim and granny Rose dread her leaving them.

Granny Bess, Hattie’s mother and her sister Sara are here to join us for supper. Sara used to live near my family in Liddyville. She moved to the cove when her son Jerry married Mary Lou and disappeared shortly after the wedding. She stayed in the cove to help raise Jerry and Mary Lou’s daughter Nell. It was later discovered that Jerry had died in an accident in a cave near Harper. Sara said that she wanted to stay in the cove to be near her family as she got older. Charles loves having his aunt live here close to her family. Her daughter Margaret and her husband and children also live here in the cove.

The children and young people line up to have their plates filled. They take them to their places at the backyard tables.

Mary Lou took me aside and shared her special news. I’m going to marry Tom Taylor who lives close to my pa and ma’s old home place. I’ve been seeing him this past year you know, she told me.

Mary Lou, I’m so glad for you and Nell, I said giving her a big hug. You were faithful to Jerry all the time he was missing. You knew that he loved you and Nell and would never have left you. When Charles found his body and Jerry’s name was cleared I prayed that someday you would find love again. You’ll make Tom a good wife. I know that Jerry would want you and Nell to be happy, I told her. Thank ye Jewel, you’ve always been a good friend to me, Mary Lou said, returning my hug.

It was time for supper to begin. Gus said the blessing and Hattie passed the food. I looked around the table and saw the people gathered there. I was so thankful to the Lord for blessing me to be a part of this family.

The food was delicious. I enjoyed every bite. I helped Hattie serve the birthday cake to the children. I could see that Timothy and Mary were enjoying their birthday supper. They loved being the center of attention. They were just like Trudy. I could see so much of Trudy in her children. In a way it was just like she was still here with us.

After the women took care of cleaning up the kitchen it was time to open the presents. With the help of the girls we had sewn a shirt for Timothy and a new dress for Mary. I could tell they liked their gifts. Hattie and Gus had always seen to their needs, but they hadn’t spoiled them. They truly appreciated the presents that the family gave them.

Andy and Adam had carved a wooden dog for Mary and a horse for Timothy. They sat down right away and played with their animals. Adam and Andy both got big hugs. They sat down on the floor and played with Timothy and Mary. They were always playing games with their brother and sisters. They were such good big brothers. I didn’t know what we would do without their help.

Cody had been held by the adults and played with by the children until he was worn out. He crawled into my lap to go to sleep. In just a minute his eyelids drifted closed.

Charles was holding Joe and Sue’s baby girl. She seemed to be a happy and contented baby. I could see that Joe and Sue were thrilled to have this new baby girl. After the death of baby Rose, Sue had been afraid that she would never have a family. She had trusted in the Lord and he had blessed her and Joe with three more children. Sue loved being a mother and she is a good one. Joe is a good father too.

I decided that I better go outside and check on the children. I laid Cody on the trundle bed in Gus and Hattie’s room.

The children were playing in the pasture close to the woods. As I called to them I thought I saw a man disappear behind a big oak tree. When I looked again I didn’t see him. Could someone be watching the children or was it my imagination?

I walked over close to the tree and saw no one. I stepped into the woods and followed a trail that led me to a clearing just down from the big oak tree. I didn’t see anyone so I returned to the house. I told the children to follow me and play in the front yard. I couldn’t help but feel a little bit uneasy.

I mentioned to Hattie that I thought I had seen a man in the woods. It was prob’ly Wilson Fisher. He was looking for one of his hogs last evening, she told me.

Oh, that was probably who it was, I agreed with her. I felt much better and returned to the front room with a cup of coffee.

On the way home I told Charles about the man. He agreed with Hattie, so I forgot about it.

Chapter 2

A Talk with Papa Collins

The next day I baked an apple stack cake to take to papa Collins. I hoped that he was feeling much better.

It was mid-morning when Sadie, Cody and I started to Matilda’s to see papa Collins. It was a beautiful day to go for a visit. In a short time I drove the wagon into the yard by the store.

Matilda was putting up the mail in the post office. She had already finished stocking the store shelves.

Howdy do, she called cheerfully. Go on into the parlor and I’ll be in when I finish puttin’ up the mail. It’ll jest take me a minute. I’ll fix us a pot of tea when I’m finished here, she added.

Matilda soon joined us in the parlor. The children were thrilled to see her. They loved their grandmother Matilda. Our children have three grandmothers and two grandfathers. They have my mother, Hattie and Matilda and my father and Gus. They also have four great-grandmothers and three great-grandfathers. My grandmother Miller and my grandfather Miller live in Liddyville, my grandfather Smith is in heaven, but my grandmother Smith is still living in Liddyville close to my parents. The children have granny Bess and granny Rose. They also have Jim, granny Rose’s husband as a great-grandfather He’s always been a special influence in all of our lives. Papa Collins, Matilda’s father is precious to all of us and a wonderful great-grandfather to the children. They are very blessed to have so many people who love them. You can never have too much family, I thought.

Papa Collins helped Reverend Caldwell in our church. He was a circuit riding preacher from the time he was a young preacher. A hip problem forced him to stop traveling from settlement to settlement. He had always been a faithful man of God. He preached God’s word wherever and whenever he was asked. I often thanked God for his relationship with my children. He was a blessing to