Village News

At Christmas we often think about the loved ones that have passed on. Recently one friend shared with me about how her grand-parents were so caring. With a quiver in her voice she said, ‘I have to be able to meet them in heaven again and spend lots of time together. It must be how it is.’

Coming under the loving care of older ones is so reassuring and a cause for joy and peace. I always loved the kisses and goodies of my Grandma Maria and the growl and bear hugs of my Uncle Bill. We all need a place we can come back to where we are safe and not alone.

One of the main purposes of a museum is to preserve a context of those who have gone before us – our fore-parents. Like a room left ‘as is’ after a loved one has parted our dwelling, so is a museum with its rooms arranged ‘as is’ from a previous time. It is good to remember those who have left us, to grieve and to celebrate.

One of the favourite parts of my job is to check on the heritage buildings on our site. Sometimes I just sit a little in the Hochfeld House. Its rustic ‘low to the ground’ feel, with little windows and a table with small chairs just makes me feel so peaceful. Once I even had a special spontaneous meeting with a manager in there. As it rained outside we had a deep and important discussion.

Linda Maendel from Elm River Hutterite Colony has written a wonderful poem about missing her father at Christmas, after recalling what they did together at Christmas she concludes with this:

So…
Our ongoing Christmas peace
Is celebrating Christ’s birthday by
Continuing to build community,
Faithful to the way dad taught us –
Patient and steadfast to the end.
Anticipating the time when we
Celebrate together again in that Other Home!

When we are mindful of the good that has happened before us and build on it ourselves, heaven comes closer. MHV is a great place to come and get to know your fore-parents a little more and enjoy the good they’ve left behind for us. They have gifts for us to unwrap that includes lessons learned, values discerned and an example to follow.

This Christmas season, please remember MHV in your giving. We’ve had a very good year event and attendance-wise, but our donations are down. May you have a memorable Christmas!