Eichers Rocked By News Of Deaths

Here, Lovina describes a recent day.
 

3:10 a.m.: The alarm goes off to start another day in the Eicher household.

Now that everyone is back to school and work, having a scheduled time to get up has taken some getting used to.

I pack husband Joe’s lunch of leftover macaroni and cheese from last night’s supper. I also throw in an orange, cookies, applesauce and homemade party mix. At work, Joe waits to eat until he breaks for breakfast, so I make sure I send plenty of food. I also fill his jug with ice cubes and water.

3:45 a.m.: Joe leaves for work; they are leaving earlier now because of the winter weather. I set my alarm for 4:50 a.m. and go back to bed.

4:50 a.m.: I get up again. Daughter Elizabeth is awake and already packing her lunch and fixing herself a little breakfast. Elizabeth always tells me that I can stay in bed, but I enjoy this time together with her: We always get to have some alone time to visit with one another while we wait for her ride to work.

5:15 a.m.: Elizabeth leaves for work. I relax and read in my recliner until 6 a.m., sometimes dozing off to sleep.

6 a.m.: I wake the seven other children. Kevin seems to be having the most trouble readjusting to the early wakeup calls following Christmas and New Year’s break.

7 a.m.: The six youngest children leave on the school bus.

8:20 a.m.: Susan goes out to do the morning chores, but comes in soon after as her ride is here for her babysitting job. She misunderstood the time, so she hurries to leave.

After Susan goes to work, I prepare to take care of the outside chores she didn’t get finished. Before I get that far, I receive the shocking news that there was a van accident and two of my cousins were killed.

There were some anxious moments as this is the same carpenter crew that my brother Amos has worked with. I find out Amos was taken to a nearby hospital.

10:15 a.m.: Sisters Susan, Verena, Emma and I go to the hospital to be with Amos. His family had a more than two-hour drive to get there.

Once Amos’ test results come back, the doctor says he should stay overnight since both his lungs are bruised. Amos, how-ever, doesn’t want to stay since he is anxious to get back home to his family. I invite him to stay at our house until his family arrives.

1 p.m.: We are back home. Brother Albert and wife Sarah Irene, sister Emma, her daughter Elizabeth and son Steven, sisters Verena and Susan all gather at our house to keep Amos company.

With the help of the others, I make lunch for everyone.

Amos is really sore and stiff from the cuts and bruises. He also has a badly bruised hip, but X-rays show no broken bones.

He has remained strong through it all. Our thoughts go to the families of the deceased. Cousin Chris was 50 and leaves his wife, children and grandchildren. Cousin Danny also leaves a wife, children and grandchildren.

I imagine Amos will have some hard times yet: Following the wreck, he was pinned on top of Chris and heard him take his last breaths. They were all helpless to get out. The jaws of life were called to cut the van and a 23-year-old boy was flown to the hospital. Our thoughts are with him and his family as he is now paralyzed from the waist down.

How quickly a life can change. It will take a lot of acceptance and may God provide strength.

2:30 p.m.: Amos’ wife Nancy, daughters Susan, and husband Joe and son Steven, Elizabeth, and husband Paul, Mary Jane, and husband Amos and baby Mary Jane and their son Ben and his special friend Lovina came to pick up Amos.

What a blessing to be able to take him home. The other families were not so fortunate.

5:30 p.m.: Everyone has left and we are having grilled cheese and eggs for supper.

The day went quite differently than was planned.

A reminder to all: We never know when we will hear God’s call. Let us be prepared so we can meet in that heavenly home above. The funeral for Chris is Saturday and Danny is on Sunday. We plan to head for Berne, Ind., early Saturday and stay until sometime Sunday.

Here is a great all-in-one recipe to try:
 

One-Skillet Spaghetti
 

1 pound hamburger

2 medium onions, chopped

2 cups broken spaghetti

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

¾ cup chopped green peppers

½ cup water

1 (8-ounce) can sliced and drained mushrooms

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

¼ cup brown sugar

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
 

In a large skillet, brown hamburger, onions and drain. Stir in all other ingredients, except for the cheese, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until spaghetti is tender. Sprinkle with cheese, cover and heat until melted.
 

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