Epilogue

October 20, 1910

Dear Julie,

Thank you so much for the lovely baby blanket you knitted for your new little niece. What a blessing it is for her to have a loving aunt like you and even more of a blessing for me to claim you as a sister through more than marriage but through love. It was so good to get to know you when you came to visit in June.

I wanted to write to thank you myself, even though Gordon surely did so already when he wrote about our sweet baby daughter's early entry into the world. Gordon says she just couldn't wait for us to hold her in our arms. Although still very small, she is doing fine. Miss Nicey Jane—I'm sure you remember meeting her when you were here—says that any baby who squalls that loud when she's hungry is better than fine. I can't wait until you come to Sourwood again and meet her. You know you are welcome any time.

I suppose you are curious as to what name we've given her. Ada June was adamant that her name be Amelia. She wanted something that started with A the same as hers. I don't know where she heard the name, but I was happy to let her choose since she is so excited to be a big sister. Gordon laughed when she told him the name. He said it was quite a mouthful for such a tiny person. Ada June insisted the name is more than perfect and that Amelia will agree when she's older.

I added Faith because of her hard journey to make it to her day to be born. So often I feared I would lose her, as you know since you were here during one of those times. You were such a help and encouragement then. After you left, Miss Ophelia, my former landlady in Louisville, surprised us when she came to see the sourwood trees blooming. I'm sure Gordon wrote you about how she must have loved those trees so much that she has stayed.

She took over the teaching when school started back up in July, but I will be teaching with her next year after Amelia Faith is a little older. It could be you should pray for the children who will have to deal with two brought-in teachers. I'm smiling when I write that.

I doubt Sourwood has ever dealt with anyone quite like Miss Ophelia, but she's cut out of the same cloth as the mountain women here, even though their lives have been so different. She has become family, a grandmother to Ada June, a mother to me. A stern one for sure, but a loving one under that sternness. You will understand when you meet her.

Gordon is well, busy sharing the gospel and helping the people here in Sourwood. Joseph has recovered completely from his wound and is back trailing after Gordon or playing with Bo. The dog limps a bit at times, but so far his bones have stayed in place, much to Ada June's and my relief. Gordon talked with a lawyer about adopting Ada June, but she is already ours in our hearts. You'll laugh to hear her calling Gordon "Papa Preacher."

Thank you for the hair ribbons you sent her. She especially loves the blue one as do I since it is the color of the little bluebirds that nested in an old woodpecker hole in the oak next to the schoolhouse. I wondered if you purposely chose it after we watched them when you were here. I did love hearing the papa bird sing his courtship song that gave promise of more bluebirds in Sourwood.

Ada June has tied back her hair every day since she received your package. She's nothing at all like that girl I first met in January who seemed to hardly know how to use a comb. Perhaps because she had none of her own.

So much has changed for her in this one short year. For me as well. I am blessed beyond measure with love and family.

I pray that you and your children are well. It will be wonderful if they can come with you to Sourwood next summer. What a blessing that would be.

Amelia Faith is fussing. I best close this letter and see to her. Thank you again for the beautiful baby blanket and even more for embracing me as a sister.

Write me all your news.

Love, Mira