Mama Drama
“As we go through life each one of us learns that we never get dizzy doing good turns.” Amish proverb
Rose Schrock, a main character in The Letters, has a mother-in-law who gives all mother-in-laws a bad name. Vera Schrock is demanding, critical, undermining, and plays favorites with the grandchildren. Rose is a strong woman, but she’s determined to cope with Vera’s gloomy presence with grace—and gratitude, too, for the shelter Vera’s farm has provided for her family after her husband passed.
The Amish are the first to say they’re not perfect, but their extended family relationships are more stable than those of the non-Amish. “You just don’t hear of a lot of ‘family feud’ type situations among Amish,” Eris Wesner said, who writes a blog called Amish America. It’s not uncommon for three generations to live under one roof, though the grandparents will often have a separate apartment or “Grossdaddi Haus” (grandfather’s house) attached to the main house. They not only place great value on the elderly, appreciating their wisdom and experience, but they believe God cares how we treat our parents.
Do you have a Vera Schrock-type person in your life? I did. I had a neighbor for whom I could do nothing right. At times, I treated my neighbor like Rose treated Vera—with grace and understanding. But not always. Most of the time, I just steered clear of her. This neighbor passed away before I wrote The Letters, and I’ve wondered since if I might have done a better job after meeting Rose.
What about you? Is there someone in your life for whom you need an extra measure of grace and understanding? Take a page from Rose’s book and don’t stop trying. The ending to your particular story might surprise you.
The Letters
Rose Schrock is a plain woman with a simple plan. Determined to find a way to support her family and pay off her late husband’s debts, she sets to work to convert the basement of her Amish farmhouse into an inn. While her family, especially her cranky mother-in-law, is unhappy with Rose’s big idea, her friend and neighbor, Galen King, supports the decision and he helps with the conversion.
As Rose finalizes preparations for visitors, she prays. She asks God to bless each guest who stays at the Inn at Eagle Hill. As the first guest arrives and settles in, Rose is surprised to discover that her entire family is the one who receives the blessings, in the most unexpected ways. And she’s even more surprised when that guest decides to play matchmaker for Galen King.
Relz Reviewz Extras
Character spotlights on Sadie (The Haven), Roman & Julie (The Keeper), Jaime & Mattie(A Lancaster County Christmas)
Reviews of The Choice and The Waiting
Get to know Suzanne
Visit Suzanne’s website and blog
Buy The Letters at Amazon or Koorong
August 24, 2013 at 6:42 am
I look forward to The Letters coming out! I have someone in my life that I have never been able to please – no matter what I do, it is always the wrong thing. Maybe I can learn something from Rose! All I have left are prayers! Love your books!
August 24, 2013 at 7:45 am
Hi Tammy! I understand your situation! I have a hunch a lot of people do. Loved your comment about prayers. So true! Makes such a difference. Thanks for your comment! And btw…”Letters” is out now! Warmly, Suzanne
August 24, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Oops! I mailed post cards out for you! Forgot The Letters is out! Will have to look for it! Thanks for your kind words!
August 24, 2013 at 6:43 am
Some years ago, my family and I lived in Paris for six years. I worked for the American Embassy and my husband was a scientist with a NATO agency. We both interacted with people from many nationalities on a daily basis. I remember one English woman who was the spouse of a man attending a conference in Paris with my husband. I was taken aback by her hurtful remarks about Americans in general and noticed that she was always alone as she had obviously been rude to other spouses as well. I could have joined in and ignored her, but I made up my mind that I would make a friend of her. I sat with her and talked in as friendly a manner as I could and got her to talking about herself and her home. I think she was just shy and had put up a barrier around herself as she obviously had a difficult time being outgoing. After several conversations, I’m happy to say she came out of her shell a bit and we became friends. All it takes sometimes is that extra little effort and you can make people happier.
August 24, 2013 at 7:47 am
Hi Connie! What a wonderful ending to your story! So glad you persevered and didn’t just write her off. We had lived in Hong Kong for four years. Definitely gave me an appreciation for how many misunderstandings occur because of things getting “lost in translation” (even among English speakers!). I’d love to hear more about your years in Paris. Exciting! Bet you had a lot of visitors! 🙂
Warmly, Suzanne
August 24, 2013 at 8:11 am
Yes, I sure did have a difficult person in my household. BUT, the good news is: she grew up, got married and now has her own child who is giving her a run for her money! Grandma says, “Cha Ching!” all the time!!! lol lol
August 24, 2013 at 10:07 am
I grew up with a father that I could NEVER please. Even on his death bed he treated me badly. Now that I have had some years to think about it and pray about it, I wish we had made peace but I am not sure if he would have ever accepted me unless I jumped through all his hoops. However, by doing that I would have had to give up my husband and children. He would have settled for nothing less. Oh well, I have forgiven him and moved on. I actually feel sad for him now. He was such an unhappy person in life.
March 9, 2016 at 11:01 am
Very true… Some words are not very clear in the sense that they leave vague room for interpretation. Also called verbal disputes where two people converse or argue even in the same language. Because they define these words used differently they ended up agreeing to disagree even though they might have agreed if not for the words they misinterpreted. On the other hand agreeing when they should have disagreed, thinking they are on the same page but is talking from mars and the is coming from Venus. In other words, they are talking about two different subjects.