Pieter came out of the barn to greet Ans as well. And Avi and Wim were back from the field with Bep. “The food is all ready,” Lena told everyone. “Wash up so we can eat.” She crouched down in front of Bep after Avi lowered her from his shoulders. “Will you do something for me? Run upstairs and tell your mother that it’s time to eat. She’s practicing her violin.” Bep skipped into the house and up the stairs.

When they were all seated around the lunch table, Pieter bowed his head to thank God for the food. “And thank You for bringing all of these loved ones safely through the war.” He repeated those words every time he prayed. Lena never tired of thanking God too.

“Amen,” she said. “Now start passing the food.”

“I’m bursting to tell everyone my good news,” Ans said as she loaded her plate. Lena looked at her, waiting. “I’ve decided to go to university. Classes start next week.”

“That’s wonderful!” Pieter said, voicing Lena’s thoughts. “What will you study?”

“I’m not sure yet. Maybe journalism? I remember how much we relied on newspapers during the war. Eloise thinks I should study medicine.”

“How are the Huizengas?” Miriam asked. “Will you still live with them?”

“Yes, they want me to stay. Professor Huizenga is up to his ears with his work at the university. And Eloise is volunteering with the Red Cross in Amsterdam twice a week, helping displaced persons.”

“So she’s doing well?” Miriam asked.

“Very well. Eloise has enough energy to do the work of ten people.”

“We have news too,” Avi said. “We might be neighbors in Leiden soon. I’m going to finish my engineering degree at the university.”

“That’s great!” Ans said.

“And we’ll still be close enough to come home to the farm,” Miriam added, “so Elisheva can visit her other mama and papa.”

Tears filled Lena’s eyes each time she thought of letting Bep go. Her arms would feel so empty without her. How she loved this precious child!

“And her sister and brother, too,” Maaike added.

“Our other news isn’t so happy,” Avi said. “I’ve been traveling to Amsterdam every week to see what I can find out about our families. Records from all the camps are slowly being released, so I’ve been searching for names. And I learned that Miriam may be entitled to her family’s assets in Cologne.”

“Yes, but let’s not spoil this wonderful meal and grand occasion,” Miriam said.