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“God created marriage. No government subcommittee envisioned it. No social organization developed it. Marriage was conceived and born in the mind of God.”
—Max Lucado
***
“SO WHAT’S BEEN YOUR favorite place we’ve seen so far?” Logan asked as they walked along another hiking trail exploring Connemara National Park. Today, he had his cane to help with the occasional flare of pain from his rodeo accident when his hip had been stomped during a tragic fall from a bronco.
“Oh, that’s easy! Definitely today’s visit to Kylemore Abbey right here in the Connemara Mountains. I figured it might be one of our favorite moments of the trip.” The neo-Gothic castle overlooking a lake, built in 1868, originally a millionaire’s mansion, had become a Benedictine abbey for nuns. The restored church and gardens were lovely and sparked Jill’s imagination for a fictional Christian story she couldn’t wait to write. “But ask me again tomorrow, because every day I fall in love with each day’s travels more and more.”
“I know,” he chuckled. “Yesterday you said it was Galway Bay. The day before, the Cliffs of the Moher.”
She held her hand out and admired the authentic Claddagh styled ring on her finger which Logan had purchased for her, both as a honeymoon gift and souvenir. The ring's distinctive design featured two hands clasping a heart, surmounted by a crown. The two hands symbolized friendship, the heart symbolized love, and the crown, loyalty. They’d selected an emerald heart surrounded by dazzling diamonds. They’d also learned from the jeweler where they purchased it that the design of the Irish ring originated in a fishing village by the name of Claddagh, near the city of Galway, and had first been produced in the 17th century.
Looking for souvenirs for their three girls, and Christmas gifts for grandmothers and Aunt Meredith, they’d found a village shop selling beautiful replicas of the ring in gold, but without the gems, making them very affordable gifts for family back home in Wyoming. Now they only had to find something for the boys, Logan’s father, Jack, and Logan.
“Look honey!” Jill whispered excitedly, stopping on the trail in front of them and pointing at a wild Connemara mare with her foal, drinking from a creek about twenty yards ahead.
The ponies were a shade of creamy white with tufts of white hair at their ankles and manes. The foal stayed close to the mother, and Jill couldn’t help but think today might be the day she finally could really have a heartfelt talk with her husband. After they’d taken a few photos and observed the beautiful horses together, she and Logan plodded along peacefully together.
Enjoying the sunshine and bright blue skies above the trail, she looked up to drink in the warmth on her face. “It really is beautiful up here in the mountains. I like the wild heather and rhododendrons, the Connemara ponies, that wild ram we saw who stared us down and made me laugh, and the outlook from up here. It seems the further up these mountains we go, the more panoramic the view. Now that we’re near the top of this mountain, we can see Achill Island. One of those park rangers said on a cloudy day it’s hidden, but today is so clear. Isn’t it gorgeous?”
“Breathtaking,” Logan agreed, pausing to take in the sight before them.
“What’s your favorite place we’ve seen so far?” she asked, taking another photo to share with the kids when they returned home. She couldn’t help but wonder how the children were doing, but thankfully her mom had called last night to give her the latest news and let them know they were doing well. Savannah had lost another tooth. Sadie had texted Logan that morning to report Grace Ann and Micah were also doing well.
“I’m torn between the Cliffs of Moher and Cormac’s Chapel. I really enjoyed seeing the frescoes they’ve discovered there.” He paused to snap some photos of the mountains in the distance from where they stood. He’d quickly mastered holding the cane under his arm when he paused to snap photos. “I also enjoyed the half day we spent at Killarney National Park and half day at Ross Castle. I liked the Bunratty Castle Banquet with all of the traditional Irish music and dancers, plus touring the village there. I’ve especially enjoyed all of the food, too.” He laughed and rubbed his belly, causing her to laugh with him.
In addition to coffee and tea, the banquet at Bunratty Castle had included Irish Oak smoked salmon and traditional Irish soda bread, followed by leek and potato soup, then chicken with mushroom cream sauce, seasonal vegetables with potatoes, and for dessert, apple pie with cream.
“Tonight’s our last evening at the cottage. Tomorrow we go to see the Fanad Head Lighthouse in County Donegal. It has 79 steps and rises 120 feet above sea level. I’m hoping the steps won’t bother your hip. We don’t have to actually go up all of them, and actually, I’m not sure if they’ll let us. I think it depends on the weather.”
“You know, I was reading up about the lighthouse. The itinerary the travel agent gave us said it’s frequently visited by whales, dolphins, and porpoises. I also read it was built in 1818 to guide ships to shore between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay. I gather it’s a rugged coastline. I’m really hoping we see a whale or a dolphin.”
“That would be really awesome!” Jill stopped to rest beneath a shady tree and sat down on a rock, patting the space beside her. “We’ll be staying at Tara- House in Londonderry on the north central east coast tomorrow night. Londonderry is the county beside Donegal.”
Logan joined her and lifted the binoculars hanging at his broad chest up to his eyes. “Wow! Check this out, honey.”
He held the binoculars up to her eyes, putting his other arm around her shoulders. “I’m excited about seeing the northern part of Ireland. Look how beautiful these mountains are. The western side has certainly been something I’ll never forget.”
“Wow, what a view!” She looked around at the peaks, the trees, and the wild flowers growing all around them as she recovered her breathing from the long, refreshing hike.
When he put the binoculars away, she figured it was finally the perfect time. She reached in her backpack and pulled out rye bread sandwiches with honey-glazed corned beef and handed him one. She also handed him a piece of Irish apple cake and a bottle of spring water.
“A girl after my own heart,” he said. “Thanks honey. I was getting really hungry after all that hiking. These look great!” They unwrapped their sandwiches, bowed their heads, and he prayed for their impromptu lunch, thanking God for allowing them this once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ireland.
A few minutes later, she plunged forward. “Logan, I think this is the perfect time and place to tell you what I’ve been waiting to tell you.” She reached for his free hand.
“Hmm.” He nodded, completely relaxed. He took another bite of his sandwich and gazed out at the view, obviously enjoying their trek up into the mountains, enthralled with the natural beauty all around them. When he’d finished chewing the bite, he added, “What’d you want to tell me, sweetheart?”
“Well, uh, um, I mean, uh, I know it’s kind of crowded and busy back home, but, well, uh, h-how would you feel if I told you we’re going to have a baby?” She bit her bottom lip, waiting for his reaction.
His mouth dropped open as he continued to stare at the panorama before them. “A baby?” He turned to look at her, the happiest smile she’d ever seen spreading across his face. “Did you say we’re going to have a baby?”
Jill nodded, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
“Yes, sometime in December.”
Logan dropped his sandwich back into the wrap and jumped up, forgetting all about the cane. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he hollered, “We’re having a baby for Christmas!”
The sentence came back to them in a joyous echo which made them both laugh as he pulled Jill to her feet and twirled her around, singing, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”