In the morning, after breakfast, Maria and I usually drive to the bank and the post office to deposit contributions and send off appreciations or go to the hardware store. We’ve added another stop – to Moise and Barbara’s farm.

I check to see if they need anything like ice cubes or groceries or on a hot day, ice cream. Barbara and I will settle up on re-payments for things I was asked to buy online.

This morning, I brought 50 copies of Moise’s son John’s lumber price list. I have a copying machine, and John brings his copying to me. I won’t charge him for that either, it costs me nothing but the paper.

Moise has been away for much of the week helping his daughter build her new house, which is just a few miles away. Then, work will start on their own new house, the concrete is already here.

Another raising.

We had a pleasant surprise this morning. The girls said they’ve all lost weight this summer, working so hard in the fields and because of the warmth. They needed new aprons.

When they saw Maria was out in the car, the girls ran out and insisted she come and look at the new aprons that Lena was making.

Maria lit up at the sight of the old red machine and watched over Lena’s shoulder while the two of them talk about it. They are becoming friends.

Lena trimmed one just for her, and they insisted she try it on. She loved watching Lena work on the old machine they use with a foot pedal. Maria’s work with fiber has bonded her with the Amish women and girls,  they use and make quilts and clothes and  fabric all the time and love to share ideas and tips.

Barbara was excited to tell me that she has gone through the muffin recipe book I brought her and she has decided to go ahead and make zucchini and yellow squash muffins.

The paper muffin cups I ordered will be here on Monday. I was pleased to hear this.

Barbara loves the challenge of cooking something new, and something close to what they already make. So do the girls. I think this will be very successful.

I was also happy to see all those baskets filled with fruit in their shed. It’s a nice feeling to help in such a positive way.

Out of the blue, I asked them if they ever ate pizza. They surprised me by yelling in unison that they LOVED pizza. They have two visitors for the day, so I’ve been deputized to get two pizzas with everything on it and bring it for their dinner.

Barbara also took me aside and told me that while they appreciated my bringing ice cream, the girls didn’t like the flavors I was bringing. Moise told me he loves cherry so that’s what I’ve been bringing.

It turns out he’s the only one who likes cherry, the girls like all the cookie and peanut butter mixes. Barbara sat down and wrote me a list.

I love the honesty in these people, it makes friendship a pleasure. I thanked Barbara for letting me know. I mean, what is the point of getting ice cream most of the younger people don’t like. And I was tickled at their willingness to make Moise eat some other kind of ice cream.

This is why our relationship is working, and getting more comfortable by the day. They know they can tell me the truth about things, and I know they will be honest with me, and I never have to wonder about things.

People on the outside don’t realize that what makes a relationship with them work is authenticity, not lying or shading the truth. That keeps the relationship healthy. If anything bothers them, they have no trouble letting me know.

You never walk away wondering what really happened?

I loved the photo of Maria and Lena in the window so much I asked Barbara if it was okay to take it if Lena’s face was mostly obscured. They all laughed and said sure, I wouldn’t be in any trouble.

Then they all gathered around to me to look at the photo. It was a visit that felt good on many levels. The friendship grows and is enriched by life and, I think, authenticity. I will never lie around people who never lie.

It is pure and it feels good.