3/29/15 update
April, 1968
Doris Voss in Uetersen
This morning I read from Schatzkästchen by Johannes Gossner. A gift from Wilhelm. The daily meditation began, Do not be angry at God, he walks with you always, if you feel he does not hear your calls or cries; do not ever think he does not love you or has forgotten you.
A roar of laughter rose up from downstairs. I stopped my reading as my little sister popped her head in the door before dancing down the stairs, “He’s here.”
Carefully I shifted straight my petticoat, checked the bow in my hair, and proceeded down the stairs as lady like as I could possibly muster. I am now a lady.
The living room was bursting with happy sounds of family, smothered with smells of schnitzel, kraut, and fresh baked kuchen. I stood at the kitchen door next to Mutti, and wrapped my arm around hers. She straightened her back, eyes brightly beaming. Wilhelm was home from Berlin, being greeted with hugs and kisses.Vater slowly stood. Though short in stature, a quiet humble man, Vater always filled a room with his presence. He stepped over and held Wilhelm’s shoulders looking deeply into his son’s eyes. Then noticing a figure in the door behind Wilhelm: “And who is this young man?”
“Ah, yes, Vater, this here is my dear Ferdinand – Ferdinand Hahn.” Vatter, reached his hand out and shook the young man’s hand with a cobblers grip, “Welcommen, Welcommen, Please come in.”
Ferdinand followed my father back into the parlor, cheerfully shaking in turn the hands of each brother.
Wilhelm shot me a wink across the room. With a questioning nod directed towards Ferdinand, I wordlessly questioned Wilhelm about who this was. Wilhelm waved his hand twice in front of him, nodding, signaling that in time he would let me know. With such a full house there was no opportunity to get any closer.
I joined Mutti back in the kitchen to help with the final preparations for dinner. We had a big feast prepared and the large dining room table was set with the finest table cloth and dishes. As I placed the last serving dish on the table, Wilhelm patted the seat next to him, “I saved this one for my favorite little sister.” I gave my dear brother a big hug. I sat down laughing as he tickled me -- how easily one forgets: I am now a young woman.
Across the table Ferdinand was seated straight in his chair, Under his light brown waves and between his well-groomed sideburns rested cheerful and inquisitive eyes. I was suddenly smitten by this Brandenburg Dash-Fire, with his warm smile and strong jaw. “Ferdinand is my studymate at the Gossner Mission,” Wilhelm whispered under the coughing sound Vater was making to silence the noisy brood for prayers. I nodded towards Ferdinand, signaling I was pleased to meet him, as everyone folded their hands and bowed their heads for the prayer. I peeked and watched him in fervent silent prayer.
While eating a meal it was tradition in the family to stay silent. It was the only way to manage good digestion. Vater, however, broke from tradition by asking Wilhelm to share about what he and Ferdinand were doing in Berlin.
“Hmmm, as you know, this and that, at the hospital, studying...” His thoughts were more on the home cooked meal then speaking. He couldn’t think of anything further to say, so he stuck a piece of Schnitzel in his mouth, turned to Doris and showed his delight in the savory flavor by first closing his eyes and then raising his big bushy eyebrows as he chewed with a grin.
Ferdinand, however was ever ready to pontificate, and filled the silence by explaining that they both would be leaving for India in July or August.
The clinking of the silver on the plates suddenly stopped. The room was filled with silent surprise. But it wasn’t a complete surprise. The plan had been to go as a missionary somewhere under the Gossner Mission. But this seemed so sudden. Vater threw a glance towards Wilhelm for more details. Wilhelm took a bite of the kraut, looked his father in the eye, shrugged, smiled impishly and went back to eating. Now everyone talked at once.
“India?!? … Aren’t you suppose to be ordained first? .. Aren’t there tigers there? … So soon? … How? … Where do you find the money?”
This is why we don’t speak at the table.
Vater raised a hand to quite the din, “So, you’re 25 years old and can make your own choice. You have some sense of how much such a venture would be, and we shall leave this discussion for cigars and schnapps!” The rest of the meal proceeded in excited silence.
It would not be until after church the next morning that I would catch up with Wilhelm and Ferdinand again. After dinner I joined my sisters in cleaning up while the brothers spoke with Vater and the new guest. Since the next morning was Easter Sunday, family prayers were cancelled so that everyone could prepare themselves properly for an early morning service.
The Easter sermon was dry despite the inspiring words of resurrection power available for all. I looked forward to the family discussion later in the day that always brought life to the words that seemed to be crumbling as much as the old church building.
Wilhelm and Ferdinand joined me on the walk home along the meandering streets that led out to the town’s edge. I boldly held out my hand to Ferdinand, “We didn’t officially meet yet, Halo, I am Catherine Dorthea.” He shook my hand with the tenderest of gentleness.
“Yes, Doris, now you I remember! There is so many of you I simply cannot remember everyone’s name. In my family there is just me and my sister. I do not know what I would do with 3 sisters and six brothers. I am enthralled with the congenial warmth of your family.”
Suddenly the rest of the world disappeared. I don’t know what happened to Wilhelm. I’m not even sure how long it took for us to travel the sure path home. All I remember is walking alone with Ferdinand.
“Did you know your name means Gift in Greek?” Ferdinand asked, “I think Doris is also an ocean-nymph in mythology. It must be why your eyes are as blue as the sea.” I couldn’t say that I knew anything about that, it was just how I’d been called since I was a baby. Ferdinand went on to ask what I liked to read. I mentioned the devotional this morning. I asked him about India. He knew everything about the Oraon and Mundao tribes of Chota Nagpur.
I clung to every word spoken in such eloquence! My heart didn’t know if it should fly or fall down flat. For sure, I dared not look in his eyes or I would indeed fall down. It was by pure force of nature that I kept my feet grounded stepping one before the other.
Then Ferdinand asked if I was interested in having a big family. Blushing I revealed that would be my greatest hearts delight. Then he asked if I ever consider being a missionary?
“O yes, indeed, yes. How could I bear to be apart from Wilhelm so far for so long?”
Ferdinand, accustomed to getting to the point asked: “So why don’t you join us?” I stopped in my tracks, “Me? But I am just a child!”
Ferdinand search out my eyes, “Ah, but so mature, and truly lovely and bright. Wilhelm has told me so much about you, I feel like I know you. If you truly are interested then I would ask you to be my wife”
I then fixed my eyes on him. Reading his hazel eyes to determine if he was quite serious. My heart raced. “How can this be? I’m only 15.”
_
April, 1968
Doris Voss in Uetersen
This morning I read from Schatzkästchen by Johannes Gossner. A gift from Wilhelm. The daily meditation began, Do not be angry at God, he walks with you always, if you feel he does not hear your calls or cries; do not ever think he does not love you or has forgotten you.
A roar of laughter rose up from downstairs. I stopped my reading as my little sister popped her head in the door before dancing down the stairs, “He’s here.”
Carefully I shifted straight my petticoat, checked the bow in my hair, and proceeded down the stairs as lady like as I could possibly muster. I am now a lady.
The living room was bursting with happy sounds of family, smothered with smells of schnitzel, kraut, and fresh baked kuchen. I stood at the kitchen door next to Mutti, and wrapped my arm around hers. She straightened her back, eyes brightly beaming. Wilhelm was home from Berlin, being greeted with hugs and kisses.Vater slowly stood. Though short in stature, a quiet humble man, Vater always filled a room with his presence. He stepped over and held Wilhelm’s shoulders looking deeply into his son’s eyes. Then noticing a figure in the door behind Wilhelm: “And who is this young man?”
“Ah, yes, Vater, this here is my dear Ferdinand – Ferdinand Hahn.” Vatter, reached his hand out and shook the young man’s hand with a cobblers grip, “Welcommen, Welcommen, Please come in.”
Ferdinand followed my father back into the parlor, cheerfully shaking in turn the hands of each brother.
Wilhelm shot me a wink across the room. With a questioning nod directed towards Ferdinand, I wordlessly questioned Wilhelm about who this was. Wilhelm waved his hand twice in front of him, nodding, signaling that in time he would let me know. With such a full house there was no opportunity to get any closer.
I joined Mutti back in the kitchen to help with the final preparations for dinner. We had a big feast prepared and the large dining room table was set with the finest table cloth and dishes. As I placed the last serving dish on the table, Wilhelm patted the seat next to him, “I saved this one for my favorite little sister.” I gave my dear brother a big hug. I sat down laughing as he tickled me -- how easily one forgets: I am now a young woman.
Across the table Ferdinand was seated straight in his chair, Under his light brown waves and between his well-groomed sideburns rested cheerful and inquisitive eyes. I was suddenly smitten by this Brandenburg Dash-Fire, with his warm smile and strong jaw. “Ferdinand is my studymate at the Gossner Mission,” Wilhelm whispered under the coughing sound Vater was making to silence the noisy brood for prayers. I nodded towards Ferdinand, signaling I was pleased to meet him, as everyone folded their hands and bowed their heads for the prayer. I peeked and watched him in fervent silent prayer.
While eating a meal it was tradition in the family to stay silent. It was the only way to manage good digestion. Vater, however, broke from tradition by asking Wilhelm to share about what he and Ferdinand were doing in Berlin.
“Hmmm, as you know, this and that, at the hospital, studying...” His thoughts were more on the home cooked meal then speaking. He couldn’t think of anything further to say, so he stuck a piece of Schnitzel in his mouth, turned to Doris and showed his delight in the savory flavor by first closing his eyes and then raising his big bushy eyebrows as he chewed with a grin.
Ferdinand, however was ever ready to pontificate, and filled the silence by explaining that they both would be leaving for India in July or August.
The clinking of the silver on the plates suddenly stopped. The room was filled with silent surprise. But it wasn’t a complete surprise. The plan had been to go as a missionary somewhere under the Gossner Mission. But this seemed so sudden. Vater threw a glance towards Wilhelm for more details. Wilhelm took a bite of the kraut, looked his father in the eye, shrugged, smiled impishly and went back to eating. Now everyone talked at once.
“India?!? … Aren’t you suppose to be ordained first? .. Aren’t there tigers there? … So soon? … How? … Where do you find the money?”
This is why we don’t speak at the table.
Vater raised a hand to quite the din, “So, you’re 25 years old and can make your own choice. You have some sense of how much such a venture would be, and we shall leave this discussion for cigars and schnapps!” The rest of the meal proceeded in excited silence.
It would not be until after church the next morning that I would catch up with Wilhelm and Ferdinand again. After dinner I joined my sisters in cleaning up while the brothers spoke with Vater and the new guest. Since the next morning was Easter Sunday, family prayers were cancelled so that everyone could prepare themselves properly for an early morning service.
The Easter sermon was dry despite the inspiring words of resurrection power available for all. I looked forward to the family discussion later in the day that always brought life to the words that seemed to be crumbling as much as the old church building.
Wilhelm and Ferdinand joined me on the walk home along the meandering streets that led out to the town’s edge. I boldly held out my hand to Ferdinand, “We didn’t officially meet yet, Halo, I am Catherine Dorthea.” He shook my hand with the tenderest of gentleness.
“Yes, Doris, now you I remember! There is so many of you I simply cannot remember everyone’s name. In my family there is just me and my sister. I do not know what I would do with 3 sisters and six brothers. I am enthralled with the congenial warmth of your family.”
Suddenly the rest of the world disappeared. I don’t know what happened to Wilhelm. I’m not even sure how long it took for us to travel the sure path home. All I remember is walking alone with Ferdinand.
“Did you know your name means Gift in Greek?” Ferdinand asked, “I think Doris is also an ocean-nymph in mythology. It must be why your eyes are as blue as the sea.” I couldn’t say that I knew anything about that, it was just how I’d been called since I was a baby. Ferdinand went on to ask what I liked to read. I mentioned the devotional this morning. I asked him about India. He knew everything about the Oraon and Mundao tribes of Chota Nagpur.
I clung to every word spoken in such eloquence! My heart didn’t know if it should fly or fall down flat. For sure, I dared not look in his eyes or I would indeed fall down. It was by pure force of nature that I kept my feet grounded stepping one before the other.
Then Ferdinand asked if I was interested in having a big family. Blushing I revealed that would be my greatest hearts delight. Then he asked if I ever consider being a missionary?
“O yes, indeed, yes. How could I bear to be apart from Wilhelm so far for so long?”
Ferdinand, accustomed to getting to the point asked: “So why don’t you join us?” I stopped in my tracks, “Me? But I am just a child!”
Ferdinand search out my eyes, “Ah, but so mature, and truly lovely and bright. Wilhelm has told me so much about you, I feel like I know you. If you truly are interested then I would ask you to be my wife”
I then fixed my eyes on him. Reading his hazel eyes to determine if he was quite serious. My heart raced. “How can this be? I’m only 15.”
_