Ane Marie - Chapter III

The Courting of Ane Marie

As the crowd had made its way back up the hill and into the village, Ane Marie had slipped to the back. She wanted to turn and look at the guest haaus one more time, to review the happy look on Ane Kjerstine's face as she closed the window. It was assuring that someone she knew could look so happy.

Somehow she sensed rather than saw someone watching her. Maybe it was just in her thoughts, but somehow she felt that she was going to be that happy too. Then she turned and there he was, standing a little farther up the road, looking at her. He smiled and she walked up the hill towards him.

In no time at all they were back at the Olesen house. Ane Marie was smiling as she walked around the house to the back porch. The wash tub was hung on the wall and the tinderbox lid was closed. Mama had already been out here to get the wood for the stove. She's be baking up a storm, now that the wedding was over and the relatives were coming for dinner. One deep breath of fresh air and she opened the door. As she went in she grabbed her apron from the hook by the back door.

"Oh good, you're here. Take those pies out of the oven and put the other two in." Ane Marie picked up the heavy towel mama kept on the back of the chair and opened the oven. The heat made her stand back for a second and then she reached in with the towel covering her right hand while she held the other end in her left to keep if from touching the bottom of the stove. She pulled the first apple pie to the edge of the shelf and then grabbed it with the towel around both hands. She quickly took it to the window sill and gently placed it there. Then she repeated the process and put the other apple pie there too. Then she took a moment to admire her mother's workmanship. These two pies were more like tarts than the pies. The crusts were thicker, but embedded with fruit. They smelled wonderful.

The two pies on the table were exactly the same, though the top crusts were cut a little differently. Mama saw that she noticed and said, "Those are from the apples that Papa brought from town. They're really tart, but they should make very good pies."

Ane Marie placed them in the oven and closed the door. What amazed Ane Marie the most was her mother's ability to correctly time everything she cooked so it came out just perfect. The pie crust was always so 'buttery' that with just a sprinkle of sugar and no filling, it was still a grand desert. Mama said the secret was to not over work the dough and to make sure that the butter was cold. But, even though Mama let her try, Ane Marie didn't always get it right. Her first attempt had resulted in brown lumps that were so tough that even Rasmus couldn't chew them.

When Mama had any fresh fruit she would take some and make pies and jelly. The family preserved a lot of fruits and vegetables by storing them in the root cellar beneath the house. Potatoes, carrots and apples would last the longest, though the apples would have no taste by the time the last ones were used. The small buckets for butter and jam were close to the stairs because they were used so often, but the potatoes and carrots were against the far wall, to keep them as cool as possible.

Whenever mama made jelly she always made fresh bread. The crust was brittle and the brown bread inside was tender and sweet. There was no need for the butter and jam, but they added to the treat. Amazingly, Ane Marie's breads were as good as her mothers. No one could tell the difference. But her pie crusts still had a ways to go.

"Hurry, Uncle Niels will be here any minute. I want to be done so I can spend some time with him. He's come all the way from Kopenhaven. Make sure the table is set properly."

"Yes, Mama." Uncle Niels Nielsen was Mama's favorite uncle. He was her father's youngest brother and he was 72 years old. But he always brought gifts and stories from far away places. Ane Marie loved to listen to them. Sometimes she yearned to see the places he described. He'd even been to America and back, though he'd never gotten off of the boat.

She looked in the dining room before going in. Ole wasn't there, so she quickly set about getting the lace table cloth out from the chest. She placed it carefully on the sideboard. It was her mothers favorite wedding gift. Uncle Niels had brought it from Spain. She unfolded the cloth to reveal its delicate, intricate lace patterns of roses and bowls. It was only as wide as the top of the sideboard, about eighteen inches, but it was long enough to drape over each end by about a foot. It was never out of the chest unless Uncle Niels was coming.

She went to the next chest and got out the small dishes and stacked them on the table. These would be used to serve the pies and deserts when everyone else returned from the Pedersens. Ane Marie looked in the chest for the forks and spoons, but they were not in the chest. She stood up and was about to call out to her mother when her mother walked in the room with them.

"I had to make sure that they were clean and shining."

Mama placed them next to the small dishes. "Oh, that looks so beautiful." Mama was looking at the lace. "Do me one more favor. There are some apples left. Pick out the best ones and put them on the blue plate and put them right here," she said as she headed for the stairs. "I've got to go get ready."

Ane Marie headed back into the kitchen and found the apples her mother was talking about. She then looked for the big blue plate that her mother was talking about. She found it on the shelf by the stove. She quickly checked it for dust, wiping away the nothing that wasn't there, and took it to the small table in the corner of the room. She put the five most beautiful apples she could find in the middle of the plate. Then she took the box of apples and went to the cellar door. She was tempted to just leave them there for someone else to put away, but she opened the door and took the box down into the cellar. It was musty, but somehow she loved the smell down there that day.

She climbed the steps quickly and shut the door. As she turned around she saw Ole standing in the kitchen doorway. He was leaning against the door frame and smiling. His dark, wavy hair was not slicked back now, but it was well combed. And his smile for her was gentle and appreciative, as if he were looking at a great painting.

She smiled back at him. He stood straight and nodded at her and then turned and walked out. She didn't move for a moment and then she took off the apron she had been wearing and hung it on the hook by the back door. As she walked into the living room she saw the family standing by the door. She grabbed the last bouquet of flowers that were left and as she did she realized that Ole was standing beside her.

"Do you mind if I talk with you?"

"That would be very nice."

"Well, I thought that it would be ok, since I'm going to ask your father for your hand in marriage."

She stopped and twisted to look up at him. "Oh, really? Don't you think you should ask me, first?"

"I just did." There was a breathless pause, then "Well?"

"I, uh…", she stammered a bit as she looked up into his face. She wasn't frightened of being alone with him. In fact, it was a wonderful feeling of being safe that warmed her. "Uh, I…" Just then Juliane burst through the door. Ane Marie, turned to look at Juliane and said "Well, why not?"

Juliane, who was about to yell for Ane Marie, grabbed her hand instead and out the door they went, leaving Ole to wonder a bit as to whether or not he had understood her. The puzzled look on his face suddenly turned to a grin as he realized what Ane Marie had said. Now all he had to do was ask her father.

He began going over his 'assets' in his head. He had his job on the fishing boat. He was sharing a room at the inn with three other fishermen from the boat, but of course, Rasmus would not be living there any more.

Through the open door he saw Ane Marie standing at the roadside with her family. She was looking back at him and smiling. His mind began to race ahead to the conversation he was going to have with her father. And her brother. But Rasmus would understand because he was in love, too.

His sudden wave of fear lifted and he moved through the door and headed for the small family group waiting for Uncle Niels. As he approached her she, stretched our her arm and took his hand in hers. She smiled at him and then looked up the road, past Papa, towards the sound of the carriage. Papa was, however, looking back at her, staring at their hands. She noticed his eyes, looked down at their hands, and then she lifted her head and smiled back at her father.

He let out a sigh, shook his head, and turned back in time to see Uncle Niels' carriage come over the last hill. Thankfully Mama had not seen her little Ane Marie holding hands with that stray that Rasmus had dragged in. He took a quick glance over at his wife. She was smiling and waving.

As the carriage stopped the driver jumped down and got the wooden step from the back of the carriage. He placed it beneath the carriage door. Papa went to the door and opened it for Uncle Niels, who reached for the door frame at the same time. He pulled himself out of the door and stepped down. Then he was all arms and hugs, grabbing everyone and giving them a crunch. They were all laughing and squealing as he showered them with affection.

Papa went to the back of the carriage with the driver and took down Uncle Niels' bags. "Ole. Will you come give me a hand with this?"

Ole ran to his side and grabbed the handle at the far end of the traveling chest. They lifted it off of the end of the carriage. Papa looked at Ole and met his glaze. In that instant, Papa decided to like him and treat him as one of his own sons. Papa decided that if Ole didn't like that then he was not the man for Papa's Ane Marie. As they came around the side of the carriage, Uncle Niels paid the young driver and reminded him to return in three days. With Ole walking backwards and Papa walking forwards, they all headed for the house.

The talking and joyful reunion continued once everyone was in the house. As the two men carrying the chest came through the door Mama called out, "Ole, take that directly to the room." Both of the men answered, "Yes, Mama." They looked at each other and smiled and then they both began to laugh so hard that they had to stop and put the chest down for a moment.

When Mama realized what she had done, she apologized, "I'm sorry Mr. Andreason. I didn't mean to be so rude to you. Papa, what are you laughing about so hard?"

"Looks like he's Ole and I'll be Papa. That's all right with me. I figure that he'll be around for a while." Ole was looking at Papa and then he turned and nodded his head while he looked straight at Ane Marie.

Everyone laughed out loud, including Ane Marie, though she looked back and forth between her Papa and Ole. She couldn't imagine that he would have already asked her Papa if he could marry her. Papa and Ole just picked up the chest, looked at each other and smiled.

"Ane Marie, get Uncle Niels some coffee and pie."

"Yes, Mama."

"Where do we put this?"

Papa pointed his chin and said, "Over there." Papa and Ole walked around the bed and set the chest down on the far side against the wall.

"I do want to ask you something, Mr. Olesen. I realize that you've only known me for a few hours today, but I would really like to come see Ane Marie and .."

"We know. Yes, you may come and see our Ane Marie. Rasmus told me a lot about you. But still,” the pause was long, “you may come." With that, the twinkle in his eye and the smile on his lips eased Ole's fears.

"Thank you, Papa." He reached across the chest to shake Papa's hand and then he stumbled a little climbing over the chest. He nearly knocked Papa over. Papa caught his shoulder, steadied him and then chuckled as he led the way out of the room.

Ane Marie was watching as they came out of the room. Papa was smiling as he looked around for Mama. When he spotted Ane Marie he smiled and then, still smiling, nodded to Mama. She too had been watching the doorway while listening to Uncle Niels. And Ane Marie's heart did that flutter that brought the red to her cheeks.

And thus it began.

Ane Marie - Chapter II

Rasmus and Ane Kjerstine's Wedding

Ane Marie could hear her brother and Ole as they came in the door of the church. Rasmus must have made a feint for the door to the Bride's Room, because she could hear Ole scuffle with him and say, "It's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony." Then laughter as they moved up to the front of the chapel. Then she could hear others entering and moving to their seats.

There was a knock at the back door and then it opened and in came Olga and Catherine. These were two more of Ane Kjerstine and Ane Marie's friends. "Hello", said Ane Marie.

"Hello", said Olga. "Oh, she's not here yet." The girls then looked around the room. "This is so pretty. Did you do all this?"

"My sisters and I did. Do you think that she will like it?"

Catherine began to answer, "Oh, she'll lov..."

Then came another knock at the back door, and in came Ane Kjerstine and her sister, Maren. Maren took a quick look around, but didn't seem to see anything or anyone except her little sister. She moved in behind Ane Kjerstine, who was busy hugging the girls. Laughter and crying are an interesting mixture of emotions that only women can seem to achieve simultaneously. But Ane Kjerstine's sister was having none of it.

"Ok, girls. That's enough. We need to get ready." She reached up and straightened Ane Kjerstine's hair one more time and then turned her sister to face her. She grimaced, as one in pain, and then smiled. She hugged her yet again. "Now, remember what I told you. It will be all right." There was a knock at the door to the chapel. Maren opened it a crack to see who was there. Luckily for the knocker it was their brother, Peder Lars. She went to step through the door and turned to look back at ane Kjerstine one more time. She smiled and raised a hankie to her face to dab the tears in her eyes. Then she closed the door.

There was no organ in this poor chapel. The choir began to sing and then Mr. Pedersen opened the door. The girls had lined up, just like Maren had said, with Ane Marie in front and Ane Kjerstine at the end. Mr. Pedersen nodded and Ane Marie walked out of the door to follow two little girls spreading flower petals. Then Olga, then Catherine and finally Mr. Pedersen took Ane Kjerstine by the arm and walked her down the aisle.

Ane Marie looked up and saw her big brother's big, nervous smile. He looked so happy. She glanced at Ole and then down at the floor again. She was sure that he was staring at her and not at Ane Kjerstine. As she reached the end of the aisle, without lifting her head, she glanced at his chin before making the turn to the left. His head was following her. Feeling his eyes on her was exciting. She blushed again as she took her place and turned to face the audience. As she did she lifted her head and watched as Ane Kjerstine and Peder Lars started down the aisle.

Ane Kjerstine face was hidden by the veil, but her head was erect and Ane Marie knew from their conversations that her friend was smiling and happy. And she knew that Ane Kjerstine was totally focused on Rasmus. They loved each other so much. She looked over to her brother. His eyes were fixed on Ane Kjerstine. His head seemed to bob up and down with every step she took. Ane Marie envied them that devotion to one another. She wanted someone who would only see her like that on her wedding day. Then her focus widened and she could see Ole, watching her like her brother watched Ane Kjerstine. She looked back and it appeared that he blushed. But he did not stop staring.

As Ane Kjerstine and Peder Lars got a couple of steps in front of the minister, they stopped. Her brother let go of her hand and then reached up with both hands and lifted the veil from his sister's face. She was smiling and her eyes were filled with tears of joy. He kissed her gently on the cheek and then reached down and took her right hand and placed it on Rasmus' outstretched right hand. Rasmus then grasped her hand in both of his. They turned as one and took a step towards the minister.

Peder Lars turned a bit to look at his sister and her family and at his younger brother, Hans. Maren was crying. He looked back at the minister. The choir ceased at a nod from the minister. "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

Peder Lars said, "I do." Another nod from the minister and he backed away one step to stand next to his sister. Ane Kjerstine's left hand grasped Rasmus' hands.

Ane Marie's eyes were on Ane Kjerstine, who's face never turned from Rasmus. And even when the minister was speaking to Rasmus, he never looked away from her. The minister droned on and on, but those two didn't care or hear him. Ole had to punch Rasmus in the side when the minister asked him if he would love and honor her. "I do.", was almost a shout, but then he gently promised it again to Ane Kjerstine, "I do."

At least she did not have to be punched. When the minister go to her part he barely got out the words before she said, "I do."

More droning by the minister and then he said, "..now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss…" They stretched, still holding hands. Their kiss was sweet and pure. "…the bride."

When their lips were parted, the couple, never letting go of each other, twisted their faces towards the audience. The women in the families were all in tears, rushing to the newlyweds. The couple had to let go of each other as the force of their family's hugs threatened to topple them over against the minister. Rasmus' Papa came over and with his right arm was pounding on Rasmus' back, his left around his wife. Ane Kjerstine's sister was still hugging her so tight that her brother, Peder Lars, had to stretch over her back to give Ane Kjerstine a peck on the cheek. In all of the kissing and hugging, the crowd was filing out the chapel doors to stand outside.

And in all that hugging and kissing, Ane Marie looked at Ole. He looked back at her and smiled and then reached out and took Olga's arm. They followed Ane Kjerstine and Rasmus down the aisle and out the door of the church. After them came Catherine and Ane Marie. And then came the newlyweds, followed by the rest of their families.

As Ane Marie stepped outside she saw that the crowd had created an aisle from the steps of the chapel to the flower adorned, two wheeled cart. A bench had been placed in the back of the cart. Mr. Olafsen was holding the horse's head. A step-stool was on the ground at the back of the cart.

The crowd began to cheer as, behind her, Ane Kjerstine and Rasmus came out into the sun. Ane Marie and the others stepped back and joined the crowd. She saw the couple stop and turn to each other to kiss again. With that another cheer went up. Then the couple walked towards the cart, shaking hands and getting hugs. When they reached the cart they turned around. Their parents had stayed at the door of the chapel. The couple both waved at their parents and then Rasmus helped Ane Kjerstine up into the cart. Once he had her seated to one side he jumped up and took his seat next to her.

The families now made their way down the human aisle. The rest of the wedding party fell in behind them. Mr. Olafsen waited for the rest of the crowd to reach the back of the cart before he began to lead the horse up the road towards Birkerød. The guests fell in behind the rest of the wedding party. It was a happy crowd that made its way through the small village.

Most of the way into town Olga was leaning over and talking to Ole in her quiet voice. Ole kept looking back at Ane Marie. His was a very big smile, and Olga's giggle was so loud. Everyone in the procession heard her. If it wasn't for the fact that Ole kept smiling back at her and that Olga was her very best friend, Ane Marie would have been furious. As it was she was, dying of curiosity, but she just smiled back at them.

"Ane Marie!" shouted Juliane as she bustled past Ole and grabbed her hand. "Mama wants you and me to go home and get the pies to take over to the Pedersen's." With that Juliane guided Ane Marie past Ole and up to her mama's side. Ane Marie and Ole just smiled at each other as if Juliane was a gust of wind blowing them apart.

Then, with her words, Ane Marie threw out a hook, "You must come too, Mr. Andreasen. There is a lot of food and we will need some help."

"Oh, yes, Mr. Andreasen, Mama told me to grab you too. She wants you to help bring the milk jug." Juliane reached back and took his hand to drag him with her. He let go of Olga's arm. His long legs moved quickly to keep up. She didn't have to drag either one of them, now that she was the link between them.

"Good. I'm starved." He smiled a genuine smile.

Now that she had her hands full, Juliane couldn't stop talking. "..and this is where my teacher lives. His name is Mr. Gustaffson. We get to come two times a week to study, Tuesday and Thursday. He has a wonderful cat. She's all yellow, like butter, only darker. Sometimes his grandchildren come and we get to take lessons together, just like a real school. Last week Gretchen caught a mouse and brought it right into the room while we were reading. She's a wonderful mouser…"

"Oh," he said, "Gretchen is the cat, I hope."

"Of course she is silly. She loves to play with my apron strings. And…"

Juliane continued to tell him all about Gretchen's antics, but his eyes drifted across her and to Ane Marie's skirt and feet. He watched them for a moment, not scanning upwards to her face. He smiled at something Juliane said about the cat and glanced up at Ane Marie. She was watching him intently until she saw his face looking at her. Then she quickly looked at Juliane.

"…the ball is like your red one. She'll chase it all over the room. Well, here we are." Ane Marie let go of Juliane's hand and allowed her to drag Ole around to the barn. He twisted back to look at Ane Marie, almost pleading, but smiling as he past the corner of the house.

Anne Marie was smiling too as she climbed the stairs and opened the door. Four pies had been left on the table. She picked up two of them and went back out the door. As she came down the steps she could hear Juliane's voice still chattering as she and Ole came around the corner of the house. He had the small milk jug and Juliane was walking next to her new found friend.

"…Mama said, 'you need to hurry.' And I said that the cat had caught a mouse and that.." Juliane saw Ane Marie waiting.

"Juliane, please go in and get the other two pies." The anticipation of being alone with Ole, for even just a few moments was a pleasing thought. Juliane ran quickly up the steps. Ole walked up and set the milk can down. For the first time the two of them, without anyone else around, and within a couple of feet of each other, just looked at each other. Ane Marie was not a short woman, but she still had to look up into his face. And he was smiling at her.

It wasn't that they were at a loss for words, it was just that they were both enjoying the quiet view of the other. Her hair was beautiful, but her eyes were what he could not turn from. They were twinkling and bright. And she was smiling.

How his smile could get any bigger was a mystery, but as they stood there looking at each other, it did. He had the strong chin, blond hair and broad shoulders that made him look the descendant of a Viking. His blue eyes were also twinkling.

Suddenly, together, they started to laugh.

Juliane came through the door and saw them. "Oh, good. Let's hurry. I don't want to miss the dancing. Rasmus promised me a dance."

"Rasmus!" The thought of Rasmus brought life to Ole's feet. Suddenly he and Ane Marie ran to catch up with Juliane. He had to be there because, as the 'Best man', he had to dance with the Maid of Honor and all of the Bride's maids. And, more specifically, he would get to dance with Ane Marie.

The Pedersen's home was very similar to the Olsen's and today it would be very crowded. The extended families of the newlyweds were both large. Ane Kjerstine's sister, Maren had six children, ranging from thirteen year old Mette to the baby, Jens, who had just turned one. The other sister, Kjerstine, had two boys, Neils and Peter. Hans and his wife of five years, whose name was also Anna Marie, didn't have any children yet. With aunts, uncles and cousins there were about thirty Pedersen family members.

Rasmus's two brothers and four sisters, along with his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins came to about another two dozen people. And with neighbors and friends the wedding party was going to be about seventy five to eighty people. It would be a real party.

It took the three of them about ten minutes to walk over the hill to the Pedersens. Juliane never quit talking the whole way. By the time they arrived, Ole should have known the names of all of the aunts, uncles and cousins for both sides of the newlywed's families, but he had not been listening. All he had heard was Ane Marie's laughter.

He had jokingly told Rasmus that if Rasmus could find someone who brought such happiness into his life that he intended to find himself such a wife. Hopefully she would be as lovely as Ane Kjerstine. He'd opened a door to the possibility that that he would find someone, and now here she was. And she was even more beautiful than Ane Kjerstine.

As they approached the house they could hear the music and the loud talking. These Danes did know how to enjoy themselves. Peder had arranged for the town band to play and be at the party. He had also set the tables up outside to accommodate all people. The yard had been decorated with colored streamers and more flowers than Ane Marie had seen. Maren's children had been very busy.

There were a few chairs for some of the older guests, but most of the folks were dancing already. The season and the weather made it impossible to stand still. Rasmus and Ane Kjerstine were dancing in the middle of a group when Ole, Juliane and Ane Marie arrived. Rasmus waved to him to come dance. The three of them went to one of the tables and placed the pies and milk jug down.

He barely let go of the jug when his hand was grasped by Juliane's and he was dragged to the middle of the group. Smiling first at Ane Marie, he turned and smiled at Juliane. Then they began to dance and laugh.

Georg Oscarsen came up and asked Ane Marie to dance. He was about 2 years younger than she was, but he was taller than she was so she said yes and they began to twirl around the yard. Georg was a good dancer. Now, as happy as she was, she really began to enjoy dancing. As she and Georg came close to Ole and Juliane, the song ended and they all stood, laughing and clapping.

The four of them turned to talk for a moment. "Mr. Andreasen, this is Georg Oscarsen. His father owns the farm on the other side of the Pedersens."

"Nice to meet you. Just call me Ole. I work on the boat with Rasmus."

"Oh, so you're not one of them 'Mormons', then. So far every new person I've met today is one of them."

"No. I'm not a Mormon. Rasmus has talked to me about them but I just can't believe in this prophet of theirs, this Joseph Smith."

"Well, the Pastor says that I should stay clear of them. Says that they are a dangerous lot determined to go to hell, but Rasmus and I have been friends since we could walk."

"Rasmus does seem to have changed a lot. Of course I'm pretty certain that it has something to do with his new wife. If.."

The music started to play again and Juliane grabbed him in mid sentence and curtsied, ready to start. Ole turned to her and bowed. Georg bowed to Ane Marie and they all twirled away from each other.

"So, Miss Juliane, what do you think of this new religion?"

"I know that once Ane Kjerstine heard about that gold bible from America she didn't rest until she'd read it. Her brother, Mr. Pedersen over there, he gave it to her." She was nodding over at a tall, broad shouldered man near the steps. "He's been going to that church for a long time, but he was away at sea when Ane Kjerstine's parents died. Her father was so angry about that church that he threw Peder out of the house and told him never to come back. He never got to see his mama and papa again."

"Never?"

"No. Never. But now everything's different. Ane Kjerstine and Hans have both joined his church, and so has Rasmus. But I'm not going to. Papa won't allow it. Mama does say that Rasmus has changed for the good, though. He is nicer to me and Ane Marie."

Just as she said that the song ended and Georg and Ane Marie stepped up beside them.

"Ah, Miss Olesen, is it my turn to dance with you?"

"Have you already danced with everyone else at the party?"

"Well, there is that rather large woman over there." He pointed to the edge of the dance area, at Aunt _. "But she turned me down."

"Then I guess it is my turn. But can we please get something to drink first?"

"Oh, yes!" They walked towards the table. "Would you Lemonade or water?"

" I think that I just want some water." As they stepped up to the table Mr. Pedersen was smiling at everyone and watching.

"What would you two like?"

They both said "Water" at the same time, then looked at each other and chuckled. Mr. Pedersen looked from one to the other and then got them two cups of water.

"So, how long have you two known each other?"

Ane Marie said "We just met today. This is Ole Andreasen. He works with Rasmus on board ship. He is an amazing dancer."

"Oh! Really. That's great. Where did you learn to dance?"

"On board the ship. You have to be quick on your feet to keep from falling off." He did a quick 'slide step' and pivot. Several people standing around the table gave out an "Oh!"..

"That is amazing. What else do you do?"

"Well, I juggle a bit."

"Good. We need some entertainment like that here today. Will you share your talent with everyone after the next dance?"

"But…"

"Great!"

"…I'm not all that good yet." He looked at Ane Marie and she was beaming. "Ok. But don't say I didn't warn you." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the little balls he kept there.

The music stopped and Peder jumped up on the steps. "Hello! Hello, everyone." The multiple conversations quieted. "Dear friends, thank you for coming today. We are so glad that Ane Kjerstine's finally got her Rasmus!" The crowd cheered. "He's been chasing her until she caught him." Another loud cheer went up. "We are blessed in so many ways this day, this beautiful day. My brothers and sisters and I want to thank you all for coming. And now I'd like to introduce to you Ane Marie's friend, Ole Andreasen."

The two men bowed to each other and switched places. Ole began one handedly tossing the balls into the air. Blue, red and yellow. The larger crowd responded the same way the smaller one had. Then he moved on to his two handed part of the act, adding a fourth ball, a green one.

Pedder stepped close to Ane Marie and said, "Ane Marie, your friend is quite good."

"Yes, he is, isn't he."

"So, what have you two been talking about today?"

"Not too much. Just about the flowers and fishing. You know, things like that."

"Well, you better get to know him a lot better, before you marry him."

She turned and looked at Peder in a shocked look that, when she saw Peder's smile, gave way to her own laughter and smiling. "Yes, I guess that I'd better."

The party went on for a couple of more hours with dancing and music and laughter. Finally, with only a little daylight left, Mr. Olafsen brought the cart to the front of the house. Everyone began to gather behind the cart. Once again Rasmus grabbed up his bride and sat her upon the cart. But this time, as he went to jump up, his friends all grabbed him and hoisted him above their heads. Laughing and cheering, they walked his struggling body around the yard.

"Put me down!", he yelled, but they didn't pay any attention, until the new Mrs. Olesen began to cry, "Give me back my husband! Give him back!" They finally carried him to the cart and she grabbed him to help him get on the cart.

Rasmus' mother called out, "Remember dear, don't ever let go of him."

"I won't, mother. I won't"

With that the cart moved out. The crowd behind was loud and happy. And the newlyweds were hugging the whole way.

The cart finally pulled up in front of the Guest Haaus. The small house was on the southern edge of the village, on the road to Copenhagen. It was decorated in flowers too, and the recent whitewash made it standout. As each new couple prepared for their wedding, the bridegroom would be responsible for repainting and re-decorating the building. Some years ago one of them had added some hand carved shutters. Another had replaced the frame around the door. Others had made furniture, such as tables, chairs, a bed, etc. Rasmus had not been able to afford more than the whitewash, but he had done it with pride. This was the destination of all of the wedding processions in this little village. Everyone would see that his Ane Kjerstine meant a great deal to him. More importantly, Ane Kjerstine would know that she was marrying a man that was proud of her and that loved her.

Besides being the location where new couples spent their first night together, the guest haaus was used for visiting dignitaries. Not that there were many that came this way, except for the tax collector. The castle was just 37 kilometers away.

Mr. Olafsen stopped the horse so the cart was at the stairs to the house. He quickly came around and placed the stool for Ane Kjerstine. Rasmus had already jumped down and was reaching up to get Ane Kjerstine in his arms. He was strong enough to carry his bride over the threshold, and he planned to do it quickly, before too many well-wishers gathered around. But he didn't make it. So, there he stood, holding his new bride in his arms while everyone came up and pounded his back and squeezed her hand. For a moment, he was tempted to push through the crowd and force his way up the steps and into the privacy of the guest haaus. Then he turned and turned, as if he was dancing, showing off his new bride, and smiling so big that his grin went from ear to ear. He finally stopped in front of his new in-laws. They smiled and waved them on into the house.

Everyone was hollering out well wishes to them. He climbed the few steps to the door and then turned and Ane Kjerstine waved at everyone else and then reached up and kissed him. Their lips never parted as he stepped through the doorway and into the rest of their lives. Even when he gently put her down on her own two feet, their faces never left each other as he reached behind him and shut the door. That's when they heard the crowd cheer. Then they began to giggle and each one's laughter added to the other's happiness. They were married. And they could now hold each other with their whole hearts.

He kissed her again. It was their first private kiss. Never had they been alone, but now, not only were they alone, they were married. As they hugged each other they could feel each other's warmth. And then they could hear the pounding on the shutters over the windows. They went to the window, opened it and unlocked the shutters.

Below the window stood most of the wedding party, everyone laughing and smiling. Ole's voice became the loudest, "Mrs. Olesen, can Rasmus come out to play?" The crowd roared with laughter.

"No!", shouted Ane Kjerstine as she reached up to close the shutters. Again the crowd erupted in laughter. Then they started to wave as they began the walk back to the town. Everybody was waving at them. Hugging each other with one arm, the new Mr. and Mrs. Olesen waved back. They kept hugging each other and following the crowd until the last one had climbed the hill and disappeared from view. Then they each grabbed a shutter and pulled it closed. Ane Kjerstine locked it and then turned and hugged her husband again.

Slowly they turned from the window, still holding hands, and surveyed the room. Along the six walls there were some chests and two chest of drawers. On top of each lay her dowry and the wedding gifts. On the wall opposite the fireplace was the bed. It was a big, four-poster bed. There were flowers and gifts all over it.

In the middle of the room was a table. In the center was a tall wedding ring cake, made out of rings of marzipan. Each ring was smaller than the one below it and there was frosting drizzled up and down the sides.

The table only had two chairs. There was nothing odd about the fact that there were only two chairs, since they would not be entertaining anyone else here, but the chairs were tied together with red ribbons.

From the window they walked slowly around the room, holding and swinging their hands. They looked at each gift, then back at each other.

There were no lavish wedding gifts, just baskets of food, some new quilts, and more food. There was an old quilt on top of one chest. It was very familiar to Ane Kjerstine. She grabbed it and held it in her arms as she told Rasmus, "This was my grandmothers. It's been in our family for almost one hundred years." She put it back on the chest and she grabbed his hand again. They kept walking.

There were plates of cheese and fruit, some apples and a pear. The Danish dough cakes were wrapped in colored paper and on the mantle above the fireplace. In the fireplace the cooking fire was not a roaring flame, but it was lit and there was a pot of soup hanging over it, bubbling and adding a hearty flavor to the smell of the flowers everywhere in the room.

Rasmus reached down with his free hand and took the poker and stirred up the fire a little. Never letting go of her hand, he bent down and placed another piece of wood on the fire. With her free hand, Ane Kjerstine took the big spoon hanging on a hook near the fireplace. The soup pot was hanging on a moveable arm over the fire. She used the spoon to move the hook out away from the fire and then and stirred the pot. Reaching in with the spoon, she found some meat and vegetables. She dropped them back into the soup and got some broth instead. As she brought it out she blew on it and then lifted it towards Rasmus. The smell was wonderful. He bent forward and pursed his lips to blow on it but Ane Kjerstine dropped the broth and spoon back in the pot and reached up and kissed his outstretched lips.

He didn't object.

Ane Marie - Chapter I

The Ventriloquist and the Pregnant Lady

If this were a movie, it would open on an out of focus muddy, rain-swept street. The street would be lined with gray, aging buildings. At the bottom of the screen would appear the text, 'July, 1874'. There, at the end of the street, would be a tent, flapping in the wind, making those popping sounds that tents make in the wind. Another noise would build until it was a distinct laughter and applause. Rowdy noises from a small crowd being entertained by jugglers and acrobats. You'd zoom in through a hole in the tent wall, past the gate-keeper collecting the penny sized entrance fee, and you would see a young man in his mid twenties performing such an act, with the quick banter that makes a ventriloquist all the more intriguing to watch. But then, as the sounds became more distinct, you would realize that the jokes and banter were all in Danish.

And if you were really there, then the smell would hit you. There are smells that tell you immediately where you are. This smell is of the ocean and fish. Lots of fish. You'd look around and you'd see that most members of the crowd were fishermen still dressed in their rain gear, their faces dirty and their beards matted and untrimmed. They'd be just off of the boats and smiling. Some of them would even still have their money from their share of the catch.

Amongst them, gathered in small groups, would be children and young women, laughing and giggling. In one of these groups would be a young, very pregnant woman. She's not laughing so much as she is intently watching the juggler. A smiling child turns to her and calls her name, "Ane", to which she does not respond. Then, in a louder voice the child yells out, "Ane Marie". She turns to look at the child. That's when you'd see clearly the tear stained face of this red haired beauty.

Amidst the ever present grime of the times, her high cheek bones and strong features would have made her stand out, but her hair is like an ember in the darkness, almost glowing. Surrounded by the blond, brown, black and gray of the crowd, she stands out. In the spring of 1874 it was not an easy thing for anyone, especially the common folk, to keep clean. She, however, sparkles. Obviously she has taken a great deal of time to be ready for when the tides brought him home to her. By her clothes you can tell her station in life is to be a member of the working class, but right now her shine and aura lifted her above the mob.

But he doesn't seem to care. Her husband of less than a year has just returned from two months at sea, and there he is, entertaining everyone else in town, instead of rushing to her. This morning, in her cramped and lonely room, she had admitted to herself that it was his spirit and talents that had made her pay attention to such an older man. But it is his love and devotion that she wants and desires. She has always wanted to be loved by this man and right now it is as if he can not see her for the laughter and applause of others.

Finally, as he turns a bit to the right, he spots her and his smile gets bigger. He almost drops the fish he is holding. He's seen her and she has seen his smile. The wave of warmth that sweeps over her is worth all the water hauling and scrubbing and brushing and worries. He'd smiled. Tonight he would hold her and the baby and all would be right with the world.

And they would have some money to put in the box for their own place. Her mother and father were as kind hearted as they could be, but "When?" was an ever present though unspoken question. There was only so much room in her father's house. Her brother Rasmus had only moved to the home of his wife's family about a year before, just after he and Ane Kjerstine had gotten married. Sophie, Ane Marie's older sister, had also finally moved with her husband of four years and her two babes into their own place. But that still left seventeen year old Anders, fourteen year old Johanne and ten year old Juliane stuffed into the small farmhouse that papa had built. Twenty nine year old Lars was usually away on the fishing boats, but his things were kept at the house too.

Juliane grabs her sleeve and calls her name again, "Ane Marie, can we go home now?"

"Not yet. He's almost done. He just started with the fish. Can you see?"

Ane Marie squats a bit to get Juliane's point of view. From this vantage point she can just see Ole's head, but she can tell he has begun tossing a large fish above the heads of the audience. She wonders out loud, "How ever does he do that?" Juliane giggles. "I don't know, but if he drops them he better not bring them home."

"Come on." They head towards the back and out through a flap so they can go around the outside and be there when he finishes. An "Aw!" from the crowd says that he has finished. Otto, the gatekeeper, nods goodnight. The rain pelts them as they leave the shelter and they hurry to the split in the tent wall's side. And they wait, hunching over. It's only a minute or two, but in the rain it seems longer.

But when he comes out the time was nothing to Ane. He puts down the bucket the fish are in and grabs her. Hugging her against his own messy rain gear doesn't bother her. She hugs him back even harder, nesting her head under his bearded chin. Her arms don't even go around the barrel of his chest. Turning her face up into the rain and the radiance of his smile, she stretches to kiss his chin and his lips.

The tugging on her arm takes a long time to get her attention. Finally they turn their heads towards Juliane and Ane Marie stares the daggers that young sisters are used to while Ole just smiles. "Let's go!", Juliane shouts. She grabs the bucket and starts tromping off past the tent and up the street. By now the small group of fishermen leaving the tent are bustling around the two lovers. They both turn and he grabs her around the shoulder with one arm, hugging her to him still as they move away from the tent and after Juliane.

In this rain the flickering lights from the windows don't reveal much and the farther down the street they travel the farther apart the buildings and houses are. Quickly they are on a dirt cart path heading up a hill. In the darkness the few candles in the few windows are flickering about the same as the stars. But you can't see any stars tonight. The rain is pretty constant, but it is nothing more than the normal spring rains for this northern island.

As they started up the hills he had taken her left hand with his left hand and placed his right hand on the small of her back, as if they were dancing a promenade. He was guiding her around the puddles and rocks, helping her to climb the gentle slopes. But her mind was a year away, back when they first danced in May of 1873.

He was tall and strong. He didn't smell of fish back then. The celebration was her brother Rasmus' wedding. Ole and Rasmus had been working together on a ship out of Copenhagen. When Rasmus announced that he was getting married he surprised his bunkmate and asked him to be the best man. Ole said yes, "As long as I don't have to dance with someone ugly."

The wedding day, May 26th, 1873 had come and Rasmus was afraid that Ole wouldn't be there. He hadn't arrived the night before, as planned. But on the morning of the wedding, before everyone else was even out of bed, a knock on the door announced his arrival. Ane Marie had been up, stoking the fire for breakfast. Mama told her to go answer the door.

She opened it to the bright light of the sun. Standing there, casting a large shadow on her, was Ole Andreasen. "Good Morning!", he said, but she just stood there for a moment. A split second was all it took for her to realize that he was staring back at her. "Come in, come in.", she said sheepishly. She blushed and, turning, called for Rasmus to come to the door.

Rasmus came quickly, a towel still around his neck. He wiped his hands and gave Ole a hug. He turned to Ane Marie, still standing there, holding the door, and introduced her to Ole. "Ane Marie, this is my good friend, Ole Andreasen. Quick, go get him some coffee." Turning back to Ole he chuckled. "Come in. Come in." Rasmus shut the door and followed his friend into the main room. It was May on the calendar, but the fireplace was still going. "What happened?"

"The owner of the show asked me to stay after the tryouts. He said that I wasn't very good, but that I was the only one he was going to let come back. I'm in! I get to start next week."

"That's good, but how much will you get paid?"

"He didn't say. But I'm sure that it will be enough to help. I can work with a live audience, instead of just my friends."

Ane Marie listened to the conversation from just inside the kitchen as she got Ole a cup of coffee. She wondered what kind of an 'act' this tall fellow had. When she brought the coffee in she saw Ole juggling a couple of balls with his right hand. She watched in amazement as he took the cup from her and sipped the steamy contents, never breaking the rhythm of the conversation.

When he saw her mouth open in amazement he chuckled. "How do you do that?"

"Practice. Every hour we're on the boat, waiting to haul in the nets, I practice."

Rasmus started to laugh. "He made a fish talk to Will last week and Will lost three fish overboard. The Captain nearly threw Ole in after them."

"He just doesn't appreciate the skill it takes." He looked at Ane Marie and started to explain. "Throwing your voice is actually done in two parts. First you have to 'listen', you know, turn your head, look at the speaker and second, you have to control the sound. It's really just focus."

Mama shouted from the kitchen, "Boys! Boys! Come get some breakfast. We have a lot to do before we go to the Church. Rasmus. Your wedding is in three hours. You need to be ready. I've laid out your clothes. Please try and keep them clean until after the ceremony."

"Yes, Mama." Rasmus grabbed Ole's shoulder and pushed him towards the kitchen and away from Ane Maria. One more smile and he turned from her and followed after Rasmus. Just as he went into the kitchen he turned and saw that she was still watching him. He smiled again.

When she saw him turn and look back at her, her heart did something that she had never experienced before. It did a flip flop. She turned bright red and quickly turned away. With her high cheekbones and dark red hair, she had seen lots of young men enamoured with her. But none of them, not Olaf or Gregg, none of their stares had every made her blush. And this man only looked at her for a moment. As she straightened the wood around the fireplace, picking some out some to take to the kitchen, she kept an eye on the door to the kitchen, hoping he would come back. She could hear Mama laughing. When she stood and turned she could see the red and yellow balls going up and down. Now they were in his left hand, but that was all she could see. It was enough. She took her armful of wood and walked purposefully towards the kitchen. When she got to the doorway she stopped to say, "Excuse me." But she didn't need to. He was already looking in her direction, waiting for her, turning to allow her to enter.

She already had her clothes laid out for the wedding, but now she felt that she needed to get 'more' ready. She put the wood in the bin next to the stove. "Mama, can I go get ready now?"

"Yes, but send Juliane down to set the table."

As she turned she could feel his eyes before she saw them. He was riveted to her. He dropped his fork but she grabbed it before it hit the floor. He reached out to take it from her.

"Thank you. You've got quick hands. Maybe you should learn how to juggle."

She just smiled and excused herself. She hurried up the stairs, but as she did she could hear Rasmus laugh at his friend. "So. You like my sister, hey?"

"I definitely will dance with her. She has your mother's eyes and none of your annoying characteristics. Hey, when do I get to meet this new wife of yours? Honestly, Mrs. Olson, if it wasn't for all of your preparations I'd believe that she was a figment of his imagination."

"Oh, she's real alright. But you can't see her until I do and then it will be too late for you because then she will be my wife."

"She is very real, Mr. Andreasen, and she is very beautiful. She is very faithful. She goes to every meeting at the church. I think that she will keep my boy on the straight and narrow."

"He has been really boring lately. That Church and Ane Kjerstine are all he talks about. According to him her face is as radiant as the sun and… " Rasmus shoved Ole off of the chair he was sitting on. The scraping sounds of the chair covered up the middle of his description. "… so soft and tender." Ole picked himself up and put the chair back in place.

"Boys! No rough housing in here today."

They both chimed in, "Yes, mama."

"And Rasmus, you promised not to talk about that Church today while everyone is here. You promised."

"I haven't said any..", but her stern glance stopped the words. "Yes, mama." He turned and grinned at Ole. "Come on, Ole. Let's get you cleaned up. You smell like the barn you slept in."

"Finish your breakfast first and then tell Ane Marie to get back down here. I need to help her finish getting ready."

"Yes, mama."

The two young men scarfed down the eggs, potatoes and coffee. Then they struggled to get through the door at the same time, pushing, shoving and laughing so hard that they got another glare from mama, but they made it out before she scolded them again. "Ane Marie!", Rasmus shouted up the stairs, "Mama wants you to come back down. She's ready to help you."

Ane Marie shouted back, "Coming.", but her voice was too loud, like she had been standing at the top of the stairs listening to the conversation all along. When she did turn the corner she was all dressed for the wedding. Even Rasmus stopped to stare at his beautiful young sister come down the stairs. And Ole, well, Ole was mesmerized. She didn't bother to blush this time. She just glided down the stairs and into the kitchen, smiling at him with those bright green eyes of hers.

Ole was following her in rapt attention when Rasmus shoved him so hard he nearly lost his balance. "Hey! Come on.", Rasmus said.

It was their turn to climb the stairs and get ready.

And she, when she heard their footsteps on the stairs, turned and peeked, but all she saw were their shoes as they got to the top of her view. She turned back to mama, who was staring at her.

Sheepishly she went to her and turned around so mama could put on the necklace that her great grandmother Elizabeth had worn when she had been a lady in waiting at the court of the Danish King.

"Are you sure, mama? This is so beautiful."

"Not that it will be seen very well under your beautiful hair, but it is part of my inheritance. We might as well get some use out of it."

"Thank you, mama. I will be very careful with it."

"I know." Mama stepped back and looked at her middle daughter. Tall and straight, Ane Marie really was a sight to behold. Dressed like she was today in these clean clothes. Mama smiled and Ane Marie reached over and hugged her. "Careful, you'll get all dirty.", she said. But she hugged her back. "Now, go get your sisters and start heading to the church. You need to be there in time to help. Tell Ane Kjerstine's family that we will be there as quick as we can."

"Yes, mama." Ane Marie went to the bottom of the stairs, but her sisters, Johanne and Juliane were already coming down. They were giggling and looking back up the stairs, and giggling, until they saw her. Then they laughed out loud. They grabbed their coats and would have rushed out the door before she could ask them what it was that they thought was so funny, only she stood in their way.

They hesitated, but then blurted out, "Ole was talking to Rasmus about you. He wanted to know everything about you."

"Really?" But that was all she had to say. She turned and, when they couldn't see her face, she smiled and led the way down the road to the church. It was several kilometers to the church. The girls fell in behind her, still giggling and talking to each other.

When they reached the church they could see that the Pedersens were already there. At least some of them. Ane Kjerstine wouldn't be there until the last, but the rest of her family were busy doing the last minute straightening up and placing bouquets of flowers all around the door. As they got closer they said good morning to Ane Kjerstine's brothers, Peder and Hans.

Since both of Ane Kjerstine's parents were gone, her older brother, Peder would be giving her away. He had taken over the farm and Ane Kjerstine lived there with him. Word had it that he would soon be going to America to be with his 'Mormon' friends.

"Hello, girls."

"May we help?"

"Yes. We need to get some of these flowers into the Bride's Room. Can you do that for us?"

"Yes. That's what we're here for. How is Ane Kjerstine this morning?" Each of the girls went to the cart where the flowers were laid. Careful not to get their clothes and hands dirty, they took the rags from the side of the cart and wrapped them around the stems of the flowers, and then took their bundles into the church.

"Don't know, actually. She and her Maren were still in her room when we left."

Hans said, "They were crying." Ane Marie and her sisters stopped at the doorway and looked back in concern.

Peder Lars gave him a quick glance, but then said, "Nothing to worry about.", he smiled. "I'm not sure which one was crying the loudest. Something about Ane Kjerstine's hair. But they'll be here soon enough."

The concerned look vanished from the girls faces. They knew how Ane Kjerstine worried about her hair. "So will the rest of our family.", Juliane said.

Ane Marie added, "Rasmus' friend, Mr. Andreasen, arrived just as we were leaving. They will be here as soon as he gets cleaned up" Then they were through the door and into the church.

Even though the windows faced the sun, the interior was much darker than the bright sunlit doorway. It took the girls eyes a moment to adjust, and then they turned to their right and went into the small room at the back of the chapel. This Bride's Room as really a coat closet, but every bride to be for the last century had used it to keep hidden from the eyes of the groom until the last moment. There was even a small door to allow them to enter, or leave, though family members usually guarded the door, once the bride was inside. Ostensibly the guards were to keep anyone from stealing the bride. But more than one maiden had been turned back from running when the door had bumped up against a burley family member.

The candles were already lit, so the girls arranged the flowers on the small table and low benches that lined the room. The benches were really shelves that usually held the muddy boots and shoes of the parishioners on Sunday. They had been scrubbed clean and all of the coats had been removed. The pegs on the wall were now conveniently empty. The girls took several of the stems of flowers and cut the blooms off an inch or two down from the blossom. They placed these flowers on the table. Then they set about tying up two or three stems of flowers with the stems now missing blossoms. They hung the neatly tied bundles on the pegs. The smells of the blossoms would never hide the musty order of the room, by themselves, but they did brighten the dark walls. Hans brought more flowers. The girls all said, "Thank you." He just grunted and hurriedly went back to help his brother.

The girls continued their work and they were done before their mother arrived. Mama inspected the room and the girls handiwork and smiled. "Good job. Ane Marie you stay here and help Ane Kjerstine when she gets here. Johanne and Juliane, you come with me. We need to get the benches wiped down."

"Yes, Mama." Then Juliane turned back to Ane Marie. "I guess you'll just have to wait to see 'him' again." Then she giggled and closed the door. That left Ane Marie alone in the room with only a couple of candles lit. But her thoughts were light enough for her. Slowly she went to the other end of the room and opened the small door. No one was there yet, so she closed the door. She had time to begin dreaming about her own wedding day, when she would be brought through this back door, to hide until the last moment.

Ane Marie - The Introduction - Or The 'Facts' We Do Have

Ane Marie

Copyright @ 2010

Aurora Publishing

First published in the United States of America by

Aurora Publishing

4 Sandridge Drive

Bella Vista, Arkansas 72715-5404

Mike.Kline1@COX.NET

The Introduction - Or The 'Facts' We Do Have

From what I was told, our ancestors were pretty strong willed individuals, prone to doing what they thought they needed to do, even when others thought them crazy. Take my Great-Great-Grandma, Ane Marie Olsen.

That's her on the far right of this photograph, taken between 1921 and 1922. The little girl in the middle is my mother, Zelda Lorraine Brown. Everyone in my generation has been told the stories. If she were alive today, Ane Marie would be over 150 years old and she would still be a driving force in her family.

The following story is how I remember and imagine the facts.

In My Garden - The Day She Left

By Amanda Marie Kline

The day she left was the worst day of my life. I was working at the Stateline Casino in Wendover, Nevada at that time. I was delivering drinks and one of the security guards came and stopped me and told me to call my family right away.


As I went to the bar to use the phone, Jimmy the bartender at the time told me that I had a phone call. I answered and it was my sister Rebecca. She told me about Grandmother.

When she told me that my Grandmother, my best friend, wasn't going to make it to the next morning, I went crazy. I started to bawl my eyes out. I was selfish and I wasn't thinking about anybody else but me. "What was I going to do now that she was gone? I lost the only person in my life that really understood me and respected me.

I told my sister that I would be there as soon as possible. I was thinking that my life was over because my best friend was gone.

The day of my Grandmother's funeral I wanted to do something special, but I was too late. My family had already decided to do things without me. I wanted to tell people about hou she turned my life around.

She believed in me

She loved me for who I was

And for who I am now

And now she is gone

My Grandmother - My best friend

Life is too short, but love, respect and belief are forever and eternity. To my best friend, my mentor.

In My Garden - Of My Mother On The Occasion Of Her Funeral

Of My Mother On The Occasion Of Her Funeral

by Michael Edward Kline


I almost changed the format of the meeting to that of a testimony meeting so that all of those who wanted to say something or perform something had a chance, but Mom wanted a few things to happen today. She wanted music. With the help of Sister Carty and the Grandchildren and Rodney and Jon, we are doing that.

She wanted her family to be part of the program, and we are doing that.

Most of all, she wanted all of us to know how much she loved us. She wanted each of her grandchildren to remember their special bonds and moments, to know that she loved and cared for each one of them as individuals. There's an even dozen of them, like Easter eggs in a carton, colored and decorated by their own styles and experiences, each as precious as the Cartier jewels that she felt they are. She knew of their talents and problems and she wanted to do so much for each one. She cuddled each one until they were old enough to stand on their own. She spoke to each one of them about their dreams and hers. They all know something special about her that she shared only with them. And she knew a lot about each ones hopes and desires.

Her ten children, 5 boys and 5 girls were her cherished ones. She was a terrible image as a mother-in-law because she wasn't one. Each son's wife became her daughter, sharing an openness and love matched only by their own mother. Her daughters brought home new sons to bless the house and become part of her love. Tim and John hold places in her heart as dear as my own. Christine, Cindy and Edith were her girls as if from birth. Her love for these made only stronger her love for those whom she had born. We all have these moments so special and dear. In the last few days we have shared some of these with each other and refreshed the spirits by the joy that each one recalls. Mother had a gift of insight and understanding that let her see when something little and insignificant to the world would mean the world to us. From special words and nicknames to daring feats, she did so many that we can not share them all. She held all night vigils for sick children or sat with them at rain soaked campsites or made overnight trips to San Francisco and back with a young pregnant daughter. She shared her love of the scriptures and good books, reading to us all and giving us a chance to set worthy goals as we sat around her knees.

She loved her brothers and sisters and felt their joys as her own and their anguish and sorrows too. She shared stories with us of BB guns and bottled beets and carriages on muddy streets. She held their hands and touched their hearts, keeping pace with each of them along their way, listening to them and laughing with them and crying for them as they shared with her this love.

More than anyone, she wanted her companion, friend and husband to know how much she loved him and thanked God for him every day. He truly broke the shackles of a dismal and lonely future when he came into her life and took up the yoke with her to pull us through this world. For forty-four years, they have toiled together, planting flowers and ideas around the world. Their vines run long and bind us to them forever. Mother often spoke of how right it was for them to have found each other. She spoke often of the conversations with Grandma Rilla Belle Kline who said that the Lord was just putting together what should have been from the start. Her capacity to love was nourished by his willingness to synchronize their hearts and desires. Together they formed a bedrock anchor to which all of us look. Many of you know about the constant moving Mom and Dad did for the first eight years, but here was always home. All of their children have moved around the world and back, but Mom and Dad's house has always been a place of rest. Never mind the noise or the crowd, we always feel that we are safe to lay down our worries and fears and rest here.

Mother was connected with the things happening to the world in special ways. Her talents for expression have been passed on to her children and grandchildren. The music and poetry have flowed through to all of us.