The Frozen River

I recently finished a book called the Frozen River.

It is a fictional work inspired by the life of an 18th century midwife named Martha Ballard.

The author learned about Martha Ballard from a small devotional book that mentioned Ballard. 

From there, she did research into Martha’s life. 

Martha Ballard delivered over 1000 babies and never lost a mother during childbirth.

She had quite a few children of her own, but lost three to diphtheria.

Her husband taught her to read and write and encouraged Martha to keep a day book. 

She did.

As a result, over 250 years later, we still remember her.

She was not a war hero.

She was not a political figure who signed the Declaration of Independence.

No. She was just an ordinary woman with some extraordinary gifts

Who simply spent many days at home. 

 

On Saturday, we celebrated my niece’s 18th birthday. 

As she opened her gifts, I asked if I should be recording who gave her what. 

She said no, that she’d remember. 

I encouraged her to write it down anyway because in a few years she would forget. 

 

So much life happens so fast that 

Despite our best intentions, we tend to forget the every day events and moments. 

 

I suppose that sometimes we want to forget.

I suppose that sometimes we want to move through the difficult parts of living and not look back.

But I would argue that it’s good to record even the hard times

Because they are part of common humanity. 

 

Common humanity hasn’t changed much over the years. 

They may take different technological forms,

But we still have the same basic hopes and dreams of people hundreds of years ago. 

And sometimes it’s good to be reminded that we’re not alone, 

Even if the person walking with us is walking with us only in story and memory. 

 

My mom has a ten year journal.

Jessy The Spanish Teacher does, too. 

They handwrite a little bit each day and then they are able to compare their writings to the same day from previous years. 

Martha Ballard had a day book that she filled in with feather quill and ink. 

I type notes and poems and little vignettes from life and school. 

I print and bind the poems. 

I also keep spreadsheets and lists, 

Lots of lists, 

That help me remember. 

 

It doesn’t matter how we record and remember. 

It just matters that we do…

So that future generations will not only remember us 

But also know that they are not alone in their

Common humanity. 

 

Your life is important, friend. 

Even the mundane. 

So write away. 

You never know when what you have to stay will 

Connect with and influence 

Someone’s life for the better. 

 

Amen.