21 May

To My New Amish Neighbors: Thanks

by Jon Katz

I’m going away for a day or so, and I wanted to pause and give thanks to the Gods, or God if that works, to my new Amish neighbors, the Miller family.

I want to thank them for existing and entering my life.

They have already brought a great deal to my life and given me so much to think about and write about.

I look at technology and child-rearing differently.

I see the real meaning of community and of a benign faith that asks its worshippers to be good and do good and to do no harm and hurt no one.

Theirs is not an angry or judgemental faith, but a gentle and generous faith. That in itself has made me better and perhaps more thoughtful and accepting.

I had pretty much given up on organized religion as an engine of good, but it really doesn’t have to be that way.

I thank them for trusting me and accepting me into their lives, insofar s that is possible.

I thank them for following Jesus Christ’s call to humility and compassion,  not just talking about it.

I am not here to judge them, defend them, or praise them; I could never be a member of that faith. But it is a great gift to be able to write about them.

We share many things about faith, including the call to help the needy and the vulnerable, and use our skills and energy to be kind and to help others.

Before I knew them, I thought they were backward and primitive because they reject so much of our technology.

I see I was wrong.

They are not against our technology; they don’t wish to be overwhelmed by it, they don’t want it to take over their lives or the lives of their children; they see what has happened to so many of our children.

They aren’t primitive; they are just more thoughtful about what enters their lives and their children’s values.

Reading poems to the family’s children yesterday was a message to me, a spiritual turning point. The light of it still blinds me.

I thanked Moise for his friendship when I needed it and was giving up on finding it. I thank them for valuing me and for being there for me if I need it. I thank the family for loving and admiring Maria and the work she does.

I thank Barbara for her warmth and smiles and the loving connections that surround her.

I thank Moise for teaching me about soil and dealing with money in a thoughtful and careful – and firm way, without being angry or cruel.

Oddly enough, we seem to make a good team. I  will miss the family this weekend, which is always a good and healthy sign.

I never really had the chance to miss my own. Life is like that; sometimes, you have to step back and wait.

Before we left for Vermont, I drove up to let the Millers know I would be gone for the weekend. Moise was ready with the $90 he owed me for netting that I purchased. You never have to remind him about debt, he hates owing money to anyone.

Barbara was reading a letter to one of her daughters.

I’ll use it to buy dinner for Maria in Vermont.

Ont he way out, I said “I want you both to know I’m grateful for your presence,  you’ve enriched my life.”

Moise nodded and smiled, “well there’s more fun to be had, I think.” I smiled and waved goodbye.

 

3 Comments

  1. What a great parting statement – from both sides. “More fun to be had” indeed! And we, too, are the beneficiaries, both literarily and visually. Looking forward to photos of blueberry bushes in bloom. So, thank you, to both families.

  2. This is such a wonderful testament to the relationship you have formed with the Miller family. I hope you have a wonderful time in Vermont. We just returned home from a week there, last week, and it was such a great mind- and soul-clearing time and place.

  3. What a lovely comment he made in return for your appreciation. You two seem well matched. I so enjoy learning more about the Amish, the Millers in particular

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Email SignupFree Email Signup