ELMER TELLS OF MOTHER'S DAY

A belated Happy Mother's Day to all the Mother's.  Thought I would tell about our Mother's Day.  I thought I would tell you about our Mother's Day this year.  For a few years our Amish and David and Jean's Old Order Mennonite have gotten together to celebrate it.  This year we met at my friend's home that was shown last week.  They have a big lot next to their house and if it rained, we could meet in one of their barns.

On Mother's Day, the men cook.  All of us men had to bring a dish to pass, so I think that some of ladies did some cooking or baking.  I was suppose to bring pie.  As I can't cook and didn't want my daughters to have to bake, I was going to go to the store and buy it.  David, Eli, and a few more people, including myself,  went to two auctions last Saturday, that I will mention in another post.  When I got home, I was going to go to the store and buy the pie.  But, when I got to David's on the way home, Edward, had made one for me to bring.

On Sunday, our church was held at my friend's home, so after church we men set up the seats and tables.  We had our dish wagon and seat wagon there and Old Order Mennonite's dish wagon and seat wagon - so we had enough dishes, pots, pans, seats, etc. for all of us.  When the Old Order Mennonites arrive, we gave each of the Old Order Mennonite and Amish Mother's a flower.  The ladies sat and chatted while we men started cooking the chicken and set out the food.

As is our way, the men usually eat first, but not today.  The ladies got their meals first and us men served the coffee, dished out the food, etc. Before anyone ate both Bishop Joseph and Bishop Eli  gave grace and welcomed us together. After the ladies had been filled, we men ate.  Then we did all the dishes, and loaded up the dish wagons.  The ladies clapped for us after we got done.

The rest of the afternoon, we spent talking.  The little children played in the yard.  Shortly before milking time, we men loaded the seats into the wagons.  Then we headed for home.  I do believe we all had a great time today - especially the ladies.  Before we left Bishop Eli reminded the ladies that Father's Day is next month.

For Mother's Day, I gave my Mother a magazine holder that she had seen.  She had seen it when she and Anna went to a friends home.  I found out who had made it and asked them to make one for my Mother, which he did.  When I went to get the magazine holder, I saw he had a seasoning holder that went around, which is what Anna wanted.  So I bought that for Anna for Mother's Day.  I know Anna is not my Mother, but she is the Mother of our children.  Each of our children gave Anna a present.  One of our daughter's bought Anna the dress material Anna was going to buy, but thought too expensive.  Another daughter brought her some plants for her garden.  One daughter brought plants for our house.  Our sons and daughter-in-laws gave her more plants, a shawl, knitting material. a bag to carry her knitting material in, and a purse.  John gave her candy made by a friend of Anna's.  When the three of us were alone, Anna told John, that the candy was her favorite gift.  Oh, I almost forgot what we got my Mother-in-law.  We got her a magazine holder like we got my Mother.  I think the ladies got some nice gifts for Mother's Day.

The weather was beautiful for the weekend.  The sun was shining.  It was nice and warm.  We couldn't have asked for a better weekend especially for Mother's Day.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer