Here's the continuation of Mary's Diary. Feel free to re-post or comment on it if you like. Warning! I'm quitting at Christmas, but if you're interested you can buy the book. Later.
25 Elul
September 24th
According to tradition this was the first day of Creation.
Because of our great history of storytellers that pass our heritage
from one generation to the next, it is easy to believe.
Yosef is not quite finished building our cottage up to his own
excellent standards, but he thought it would be better if we had a quiet wedding and finalized the ketubah, (contract) before a rabbi, so that
I could move in with him, even if it is not a year since our betrothal.
We hope that will stop the tongues from wagging. People have been
gossiping about me dashing off to Zachariah’s home so soon after we
were betrothed, and I can tell that some have noticed that I am, well . . .
chubbier than I, uh, ought to be before the wedding.
It was such fun helping Yosef plaster mud on to the entwining
bamboo that makes up the roof. I looked more like a mud splattered
little tinoki than a ladylike bride that day!
It was a joy to help him scatter the straw that went between the layers of mud, but he would not even consider letting me haul up any of the straw or mud!
He must think I am quite fragile! I sure don’t feel delicate anymore! I
am so thankful that we now have the privacy of our own little house,
and it is private now that the roof is on, and thoroughly dried.
It is just so pleasant to be with him all the time although because of the circumstances, he is so self-disciplined.
Our house is pretty sparse of furniture, right now, but who cares!
Yosef comes from a long line of joiners, and is an excellent carpenter.
I’m sure he will make some wonderful pieces once he finds the time!
1st Tishrei
September 29th
There is something so special about being married on the same
date that Chava, (Eve,) was presented to Haddam, (Adam), on the last day of
creation.
Our wedding week was so happy. I’m glad Yosef took the time off
from work to be with me, and visit relatives even though we didn’t have a
lovely, formal wedding. Those seven days were sweet even though Yosef feels
he must treat me with a restrained dignity because the baby I am carrying
belongs to the Holy One.
We went for long walks over the surrounding hills, and meandered through the marketplace from time to time. It was so pleasant, just the two of us hand in hand. It truly felt like our hearts are knitting together as one.
I wouldn’t have ever dreamed a man could be so gentle, so understanding, and so devoted! Marriage seems to bring out the best in us. It seems like we both want so badly to say only kind and tender things to each other.
I feel incredibly secure in his presence, and look forward to sharing the rest of my life with him. I am most confident that he will make an ideal earthly father for our little boy and that’s why EL Elohim chose him.
Why am I wasting time writing in a mere diary? I haven’t seen him
since our noon meal, and I am lonesome already! I wonder if he can
find something I can help him with?
Love, Mary’am
