Once Upon a Springtime

 In the highlands, in the country places,
Where the old plain men have rosy faces,

And the young fair maidens 
quiet eyes. . .
                                              ~  R. L. Stevenson

❦ Once upon a springtime...    In the village of Laurencekirk, county of Kincardineshire, situated in the valley between the Hill of Garvock and the Cairn O’ Mount (now referred to as the Grampian Mountains) in the Scottish highlands sat a small white cottage.   Waiting to wrap it’s arms around a young family.

From the car window signs of new life in the valley.    The gales of winter past.   Tiny spring flowers blanket the landscape.  New spring lambs cover the hillside. They spring to-and-fro playing silly lamb games.  As raindrops splash against the window I am reminded that March in the highlands can still be cold and damp.  I pull my cape tighter, preparing for the long journey.

A tiny life is about to be born and a long ride to an American hospital (7 hours to be exact) awaits.  I prepare to board the last train to England.   A new story about to unfold, one I would tell her about as we snuggle together before saying good-night.   Her story.

Cheeks the color of rose buds,
Eyes the color of blueberries,
Hair several shades of golden red,
A tiny thumb tucked into perfect heart shaped lips,
A daughter whose name means “Beloved"
The angels rejoiced and the fairies danced.
Welcome wee bonnie lass. 

Happy Birthday beloved daughter.  May all your dreams and wishes come true.

Postscript:  The beautiful illustrations of Graphic 45's "Once Upon a Springtime" provide the inspiration for the story of a far away place full of fairy folklore, bedtime stories, tea and toast, blueberry buckle, and the new baby girl who filled the little white cottage in the highlands of Scotland with love.