Anna had a few minutes the next morning to tell Mart that she was heading to Mifflinburg for Mammi Eliza’s viewing and funeral this weekend. He was very kind and asked if there was anything he could do. Other co-workers also offered their condolences, as did Evelyn.

Getting in her car, Anna called and left a message for Gabe at the phone shanty, telling him the news and that she’d be unable to spend time with Emmie tomorrow. The drive home gave Anna a time for reflection on her years with Mammi Eliza. I have so few regrets, she thought, recalling what her Mammi had often said, that regrets were a waste of time. And to think how happy and content Mammi was in her marriage all those years to Dawdi John, she thought, believing that her grandmother had followed God’s plan for her life.

After the funeral, where hundreds of people were in attendance, Anna walked with her mother and Wanita to the burial service, saying how sorry she was for unknowingly choosing to spend Mammi’s final months far away, her one real regret. Wanita reassured her that Mammi Eliza hadn’t noticed, and Mamm said it was a blessing for Mammi to finally have the burden of Alzheimer’s lifted. “She’s with the Lord now.”

The family dinner had been prepared by the womenfolk of the church and was held in the basement of the meetinghouse. And while it was a sad time, Anna was thankful for this opportunity to have fellowship with her married brothers and their families, and Wanita and Conrad and children, all of them in the same place at the same time. Funerals are like that, she thought, bringing families together to lovingly reminisce . . . and to rejoice in the life of a dear one.

Anna decided to stay overnight for Sunday worship with Dat and Mamm and her siblings. And even though Mammi Eliza hadn’t been able to attend church herself in the past year or so, Anna was still very aware of her absence. Her passing left an enormous hole, yet somehow, heaven seemed all the more near on this day.

Chapter 48

Sunday afternoon, Anna drove back to Strasburg following the fellowship meal, grateful for Mammi Eliza’s life and that she had been such a godly influence on all who knew her. After quickly unpacking her few things, Anna told Sadie that she was going out for a while.

“I know you’re feelin’ awful sad,” Sadie said, a look of loving concern on her face.

Anna nodded. “The realization Mammi’s gone hasn’t hit me fully, but she’s very much on my heart.”

“Well, of course she is.” Sadie went on to say that she was keeping Anna in her prayers.