The months of Abram's absence flew by. I spent my time preparing the things I would take to my new home. Sewing my yellow wedding dress was the most fun. It was exquisite. I had cut it in a pattern similar to the Egyptian gown Necho had given me. Briefly I considered asking Papa to let me begin the Egyptian custom by discarding my veil at the wedding. My newly acquired patience triumphed. I knew such a suggestion would be rejected and would only upset Papa. He probably expected me to influence my Egyptian household to accept our customs. Some I would continue to practice, but the wearing of a veil was one custom I couldn't wait to abandon.

As the wedding day approached, the women close to me all took me aside to present treasured gifts. Mama was uncustomarily frank when she gave hers. Her words touched me as much as her gift. Opening a small ornamented box whose contents I had never seen, she took out a long string of pearls. Holding them up, she stared at them with a far away look before saying, "I want you to wear these in your hair on your wedding day. They have been worn once; I wore them as a bride.

Zilpah and these pearls were the only bridal gifts Papa gave me. Your Grandpa Laban would want you to wear them. I always envied the love Papa showed you. He was freer with you than he ever was with Rachel and me. I knew he loved me, but somehow he had difficulty demonstrating it. You probably sometimes have felt the same way about Jacob. I hope you know he loves you, Dinah. He seems to have trouble showing his love to anyone but Rachel and Joseph, but it is still there. I hope your Abram will not be afraid to demonstrate his love to his family. Try to teach him early to be demonstrative. Then your children will not have to do foolish or dangerous things to gain their parents' attention."

Kneeling beside her, I said, "I didn't know you recognized some of my adventures as bids for attention. I'm not sure I even recognized them as such until later."

"It was almost too late when I understood. I did not come to my senses until you almost killed yourself. I had allowed bitterness to obscure all else. Thank goodness, I realized it in time. The healing of your soul has also helped to heal mine."

Taking something else from the box, Mama smiled as she laid a small piece of cloth on the pallet. Nestled in the middle were several small dried flowers. Even in their faded condition, you could see their purple had once been brilliant. Lying with the flowers was a small piece of something brown and shriveled. Mama said, "These are the flowers of the mandrake. The brown thing is the end of a root. The healers say the mandrake root has medicinal qualities. If a woman takes a potion made from the root before intercourse, she will conceive. I believe asking Yahweh's blessing is a stronger potion.

Let me tell you the story of this mandrake. Reuben found some mandrakes while tending the flocks. Knowing of the medicinal qualities, he brought them to me. At the time I had four sons, but had been barren for many years. Rachel had only the sons born to Jacob for her by Bilhah. When she saw the mandrakes, she asked me for them.

As I had been childless for some time, and because I was bitter about Jacob's preference for her, I refused. Only after she promised to send Jacob to me in return for the mandrakes, did I agree. Still, I kept back what you see in the cloth. I was afraid to make a potion that night for fear Rachel would learn I had held back part of a mandrake. Instead, I prayed and asked God to remove my barrenness. Rachel used the mandrakes several times during the ensuing days, but they did no good. She remained barren for many years. My prayers were answered and I conceived my fifth son, followed immediately by a sixth.

"Since I have just told you the mandrake does no good, you must wonder why I am giving them to you. I want you to keep them as a reminder of Yahweh's faithfulness. You and Abram will be a couple of isolated believers in a pagan land. When you are tempted to compromise and try pagan rituals or remedies, take out the mandrake flowers and remember."

At the time, I did not think I would need the mandrake as a reminder. Was not Abram's and my marriage proof enough of Yahweh's faithfulness? Still, I took the flowers, thanking Mama in a choked voice. It was one of the few times she had shared with me so intimately. Over the years, though, the visual presence of the mandrake and the memories it evokes have helped keep away temptation.

Aunt Rachel's gift has also helped remind me of Yahweh's faithfulness. When she summoned me to her tent, I didn't expect a gift. She had already given me the beautiful yellow material. After we had talked for a few moments, she said, "I have something I want you to have. It is something that will be practical, but also will remind you of your family and your God."

Rising from the stool on which she had been sitting, she turned and ran her hand over the leather smoothed by years of use. "I want you to have my camel saddle. You know well the story of its previous contents. It will always remind you of the fallacy of misplaced trust. Don't put your confidence in mere humans as you did with me. Don't put your trust in false gods as I did. You will be a wayfarer in a strange land. Abram's love will shelter you, but I'm sure there will be times when you feel all alone. When those feeling come, sit on this saddle and pray for Yahweh's comfort. You may leave your family and the familiar language and customs, but you will not leave your God. He will go with you wherever you go.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I said, "Thank you, Aunt Rachel. I guess you know what it is like to be a stranger in a foreign land. Sometimes I forget that this is Papa's home, but not yours. It must have been hard to leave the familiarity of your childhood home. I have been so enmeshed in my own struggle in the last year that I have been insensitive to others. I will never forget the love you have shown me."

Smiling she replied, "If I have a daughter, I'm sure Leah will show her the same affection. I'm going to let you in on a secret. I'm going to have a baby. I have told no one but Jacob. I didn't want to detract from your wedding. My time in the limelight will come soon enough."

Throwing my arms around Aunt Rachel, I exclaimed, "I am so happy for you. Send word when the child comes. I want to know all about it. It's too bad I have to leave. Shemaiah would soon have two playmates: your child and Sheerah's.

After hugging me close for a moment, she said, "Well, enough of this silliness. You can leave the saddle here until Abram comes to claim you. He would probably prefer that you pack it after he positions it on the camel."

The heart-rending confrontations were not yet over. Others were still to come. Judith and I went out in the cool of the morning to search for herbs with which to season the delicacies planned for the wedding feast. Although the festivities would be in Necho's tent, Mama had offered to prepare some of our favorite dishes. She knew a wedding feast might be a difficult matter for a man to plan. After we gathered the herbs, we stopped for a drink." Judith loosened her girdle and took something from its folds. Looking a little sheepish she said, "I don't really have anything of value to give you, but I want to return this to you as my gift. I thought it might not evoke the same painful memories as the dress. I hope it will bring to mind only the excitement of a young girl. If I am wrong, destroy it. My feelings won't be hurt."

With that Judith extended her hand. In it she held a small decorated vial. It was the eye paint Grandpa Laban had given me. It did remind me of the encounter in Shechem, but as Judith said, that was not the main memory it held. Smiling, I said, "You have kept it the whole time. I had forgotten about it. You are right, the memories associated with it are mostly good. Still, had I been you, I probably would have thrown it at a goat, or maybe even fed it to one. Your loyalty is undeserved. You are a true friend. I hope you do not regret accompanying me to Egypt. I'll try not to involve you in too many wild adventures."

Indicating that we needed to deliver our herbs, Judith ended the conversation. Our banter on the return trip was of the light-hearted nature that usually characterized our relationship.

When we took the herbs to Zilpah, she asked me to stay for a minute. Wiping her hands on a rag, she disappeared into her tent and returned carrying a small shell comb. Smiling, she said, "I used to comb your hair with this when you were a child. Now you have too much. It would destroy this delicate comb. I want you to take it with you to Egypt. Someday, when you have a daughter, Judith can comb her hair with it." Waving aside my thanks she continued, "Just take good care of my Judith. Find her a husband, and send me news of my grandchildren. Now go on before you make me cry."

As I walked slowly back to the tent, the magnitude of what I was doing overwhelmed me. I would be dragging Judith away to parts unknown. My children would be raised with no knowledge of their grandparents, aunts, uncles or cousins. In Egypt I would be the one with the barely understandable speech. With my olive skin, copper hair and green eyes, I would be an oddity. Everyone would recognize immediately that I didn't belong. I was glad I was sure of Yahweh's blessing and Abram's love. If I hadn't been, I might have run away.

Hurriya's gift brought more tears. She came shyly to the tent and handed me a small crudely carved box with flowers etched on the top. Inside it was lined with a blue scrap from Sheerah's wedding dress. She explained how she had carved it herself after some instruction in the art from Asher. Apologizing for its roughness, she told me she could have done a better job if she had more time. Sitting down and pulling her onto my lap, I told her I would treasure it just as it was. Then I showed her the valuables I would keep inside. She was intrigued by the eye paint, but awed by the idea that I would put my beautiful pearls in her little box.

After she left, I cried as I arranged my gifts in the box. I remembered the belligerent little girl who wanted to know if I was the one taking away her brother. In quick succession I saw her face filled with fear, then her feverish eyes, and finally the laughing countenance Shemaiah loved. Hurriya had won a place in all of our hearts. I regretted that I would miss the rest of her childhood.

Word finally came of Necho's return. A messenger came to tell us that the caravan was two days out. Upon arrival, Necho would set up a large tent to house the festivities. On the second day, he would come and deliver the bride price. Not until they had been in the area for a week would Abram come for me. Necho would need the time to prepare properly for the wedding. After the wedding, the caravan would remain for the customary week of celebration. Then we would pack and leave for Egypt.

The next day another messenger arrived. A well dressed foreigner approached from the direction of Bethel asking to speak to Jacob, the Yahweh worshipper. After a few minutes in conference with Papa, he departed. Mama and I were immediately summoned. The servant had come from an Egyptian caravan that had just arrived from the south.

With them was a traveler who wished to request our hospitality for two days. The traveler was named Tarebut; she was the wife of Necho and mother to Abram. She had journeyed with a friend's caravan, planning to arrive in time for the wedding. Papa wished for us to arrange appropriate accommodations for her.

Because of the number of people already sleeping in our tent, we decided to see if Aunt Rachel would share her sleeping room. Mama wished to make a good impression on the wealthy lady. A crowded sleeping quarter and a receiving room cluttered with wedding preparations seemed a poor place to welcome her. While Mama conferred with Aunt Rachel, I prepared refreshment. Cool spring water, fruit and cheese would be offered. I also fetched a foot bowl and linens.

Soon the man returned leading a camel. Two female servants walked along side. Seated on the camel was a tiny, regal woman, The contraption protecting her from the sun was unlike anything I had ever seen. A square wooden frame was attached to the saddle. Stretched across the top of the frame was a piece of cloth.

Tarebut sat in the shade beneath. Her attire also attracted my attention. Her dress was almost the same color as the camel. It was made in a sleeveless style with a v-shaped neckline. The shoulders were gathered with gold clips. She wore jeweled armbands above both her elbows and wrists. Her headpiece was a close-fitting, stiff affair with a gold band encircling her forehead. The lace veil she wore looked strangely out of place.

As she alighted, Sheerah whispered, "I think I might prefer to keep my veil. Her headpiece looks hot and uncomfortable."

Without replying, I jabbed her with my elbow, but the mirth I held back escaped through my eyes.

After Mama had formally welcomed her, offering her our home and hospitality for as long as she liked, she took her into Aunt Rachel's sitting room. As Bilhah finished washing her feet, I entered with the refreshment. I was relieved to see that all had removed their veils in the privacy of the tent. I too removed mine after she was served, and I was introduced.

When she spoke to me, her voice had the same odd, lilting cadence of Abram's, but although melodic, it lacked his depth and excitement. Patting the table beside her, she bid me sit. Then she said, "I couldn't wait to meet Abram's bride. Necho felt the better part of the year traveling would be too much for me. Ever since Abram's birth he has babied me. He thinks I am much weaker than I actually am.

I humor him; my weakness makes him feel needed. This time, though, I had to disobey. I reasoned that traveling separately with a later caravan would make my time on the road much shorter. So I'm not really disregarding his wishes. I wanted to see for myself that you are everything Necho claims. You are a beautiful young woman."

Perhaps sensing my discomfort, she said quickly, "I hope I am not making you uneasy. You do not have to prove yourself to me. That you are a believer and have accepted Abram's handicap is enough."

Blushing I said, "Thank you. You too are beautiful. I have never seen anyone with such lovely adornment."

With humility she replied, "I am afraid I have overdone things. I haven't met a daughter-in-law before. I wanted to impress your family." Taking off the elaborate headdress, she continued, "I will just be myself. I'm not much good at playing the impressive merchant's wife. I guess that's what I thought you would expect."

With a comical grimace she concluded, "Here I am running on when I really don't have anything to say. When I'm in a new situation where I am unsure of myself, I tend to talk too much."

Mama replied, "You have graciously covered up our speechlessness. We too are in a new situation. Now that you have put everyone at ease, perhaps we can become friends."

After we had talked for some time, Tarebut asked if I would give her a tour of our camp and the area around. She said she did not want to keep everyone busy entertaining her. Mama offered her the use of one of our loose flowing headpieces and veils that she gladly accepted.

When the tour of the camp was complete, I suggested she might like to see the spring. As we stood under my favorite tree taking in the beauty, she unknowingly repeated her son's words, "This is such a peaceful place. Can we sit here and talk?"

Smiling at me she said, "I hope we can become friends. We only have the journey home to get acquainted. Necho established a trading point farther south at Akhetaton. It is several days journey from Memphis, our home. You and Abram will establish your home in Akhetaton where he will manage all of the trade of the lower regions. I was saddened by Necho's decision, but I am only a woman."

"I too am saddened that we will have such a short time together." I replied. "I had hoped to have the comfort of another woman to ease the transition."

We sat silently for a few minutes, each lost in thought.

Then Terabut said, "I have brought a present for you, but I do not know if it is appropriate. It is an Egyptian style, silver collar-necklace set with a few small emeralds. I would like you to wear it to your wedding. It was mine when I wed. But, I don't want to do anything to make your parents think I am trying to outshine them. If you feel it would hurt them for you to wear it, then I will save it for your presentation in Egypt. You realize, of course, that there will be a wedding celebration of sorts for our family in Memphis."

Smiling I said, "Aren't I the lucky one. Few girls get to celebrate their marriage twice. You will have to tell me about the Egyptian festivities later. Right now it is approaching time for our evening meal. May I have a few days to think about your question? You may be right. Such a gift might be misunderstood. Give me some time to talk to Mama. She would know better how Papa might react."

Leaving the matter of the collar undecided, we returned to camp to eat. I was impressed by my mother-in-law's candor. I was beginning to feel I had gained a wise friend. I hoped the journey from Memphis to Akhetaton could be undertaken at least annually.