Barbara Briggs Ward

The Tin Cookie Cutter Barbara Briggs Ward

Those who've spent time with the elderly Amish woman realize the wisdom in her words. One could say Catherine's kitchen is her office. Baking cookies is her form of therapy.

Christmas wreaths, nailed to the porch of the Amish home, attract the eye of photographer Claire Ryan. Knocking on the door, she plans on asking permission to take some photos and then be on her way. But once inside, sitting in the warmth of that home with paper angels on strings and pine boughs decorating the mantel, Claire relaxes, eventually telling Catherine why she's about given up on finding love and no longer bothers with Christmas.

Soon they're in the kitchen getting ready to make cookies. When Catherine brings out a wooden box holding old tin cookie cutters, Claire notices one is missing.

The cookie cutter is found weeks later -- and it has nothing to do with making cookies.