Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 12 - The Anniversary

Greg and Susan enjoyed skiing together on Saturday afternoon, in honor of their anniversary. That made their fourth day of skiing that week, and because Melody did so well the day before, Susan felt more confident about leaving her at the mountain house with those who stayed home.

"Have you enjoyed our vacation, Susan?" Greg asked during one of their rides up the mountain together on the chairlift.

"Yes, I have," Susan said. "I'm so glad we decided to do this, this year."

"It has made for an agreeable change," Greg said. "Everyone has enjoyed it."

"Do you think the Wilsons have?" Susan asked.

"Why do you ask?" Greg said.

Susan shrugged. "I know Karen and I talked about visiting the snow during the Christmas we spent with them in Australia, but I wasn't sure she'd actually enjoy it. She's not used to the cold."

"That may be, but according to John, they have both enjoyed it much more than they expected to," Greg said. "After the two days Peter spent in ski school, John, Karen, and Peter are now able to ski together. John tells me it has been a very rewarding time for his family."

Susan smiled. "I'm glad. I wasn't sure they thought so after dinner last evening."

Greg cocked his head with a questioning expression.

"Karen gave me an odd look after our Sabbath prayers," Susan explained.

"She simply did not expect to hear you praying in Hebrew," Greg said. "Arranging Hebrew lessons for you and the family was one of the first things we did after arriving home."

Susan nodded. "I remember," she said. "We were barely into our rental house when we did that. We were trying to find a way to support everybody's faith, despite our differing religions. Private conversational Hebrew lessons for the entire family seemed like the best way to go."

"Personally, I've been pleased by the outcome," Greg remarked.

"Oh?" Susan asked.

"After more than three years of study, everybody in our family now speaks Hebrew ... not only me. You understand me when I pray. We all know conversational Hebrew as well ... preparing us for an eventual trip to the Holy Lands, should we decide to go. And Jessie has learned to read, write, and speak Hebrew more quickly than she would have by attending Hebrew School," Greg explained. "David told me recently she's advanced compared to others in her year. In my opinion, those are all good things."

"They are," Susan agreed. "Even Melody has begun to learn a few words in Hebrew. But I think you've forgotten the most important benefit, Greg."

"What's that?" Greg asked.

"It's allowed us to study scripture together ... in the original language in some cases. Since what we always tell everybody is to pray, study and listen, that alone has the potential to help our children to succeed above anything else we might do," Susan said.

Greg cocked his head. "You don't think it will work against some of them?"

"Who?" Susan asked.

"I was thinking of Matthew, and his desire to join the ministry," Greg said.

"I don't think so. We can ask John about it, but I suspect it will benefit Matt in the long run," Susan said.

"Maybe I will talk to John about it," Greg said thoughtfully, "When the time allows."

Their chair came to the top of the lift, interrupting their conversation. Greg and Susan stood together at the top of the little rise at the departure point and skied off, going to stand to the side of the run, waiting for the rest of their party to join them. The time spent on the chairlift gave them the chance to talk privately, but the runs down the mountain allowed them to socialize with the others from their group who were skiing. It was a good mix of time spent alone and time spent with others on their anniversary.