the migrant wife

Breakfast was had in a cosy little stone house, slanted roofs framing the welcoming atmosphere of cobbles kitchen and Deli. With sandwiches in hand, beef brisket for Paul and breakfast bagel for me, we set off for the nearest picnic bench to savour our long awaited morning feast. Let’s face it, holidays for us are built upon feasts and snacks, sprinkled with some sightseeing and long walks amidst nature. We bite into our sandwiches, I took a swig of my hot tea (a must, if you know me!) and we decided to swap the other half – best of both worlds! This little getaway to Wales was a long-awaited break, a draw of fresh air, from among the important, exhilarating, but exhausting schedules of the every day. I bit into my sandwich and savoured the crispy bacon, full meaty sausage, smooth omelette topped with rich cheese. Every good gift is from our wonderful Father, how grateful! how marvelous!

We ventured off to Ogmore, roaming the ruins of the twelfth century castle, peering into its keep (now two stone walls erect in the midst of a grassy plane). I am oddly drawn to ruins – these stones have seen the literal passage of time. They have seen Wales invaded, Wales defended, observed the lime cliffs of the Welsh shore battered by the untamed sea and the ferocious wind, witnessed the ebb and flow of the tides and the foamy waves lapping against the rocky coast, through the centuries, twixt the lifetimes, still standing, still waiting. Children splashed in the pond adjacent the little castle mound, eyes wide open in wonder as a few gentle horses waded through and shook their golden majestic manes. How many times the rocks have witnessed this wonder, this childish glee at so untainted a beauty, I wonder.

Ogmore beach was a modest little sandy beach shadowed by its breathtaking Welsh seaside cliffs. Such majesty. Immovable. Tenacious. Walked up along the edge of the cliffs, windswept, struggled to stand up straight, salty sea air rapidly filling in my lungs. Followed behind Paul to mimic the steps he took, noting wobbly rocks to avoid. Paul stopped to taste the brambles, and I followed suit – plucked a ripe, dark, supple berry straight from its stem – fresh sweet juice with a hint of tanginess, came forth from the succulent bramble – I took a few more and continued on.

Watching Paul’s back, his steady steps, the shape of his heel, his balanced gait, drew me back to some of the most pleasing memories in the days of our courtship. Walking in the Edinburgh pentlands at freezing point and stopping to eat ice cold leftover enchiladas, venturing along the windy rushes of the Water of Leith, wandering amidst the lush green foliage of the Hermitage in the thick summer… long walks have frequently punctuated our growing fondness of one another. Walking with a dear one, it seemed, drew out secret sentiments never before mentioned, seasoned conversations with civility and affection. It seldom leaves you without the warmth of camaraderie. Returned with the glow of exercise on our cheeks, only to stop at a cafe by the beach for a crispy bowl of freshly fried chips generously salted.

We agreed that we were weary from much exertion and decided to return to the little barn that we were staying in. Propping down with a freshly brewed mug of hot chocolate in a china cup, painted with juniper and moss and sage coloured leaves, I read my book as Paul rested in the plump armchair in the corner, by the window which looked onto the garden outside, where branches swayed fro and to from the blustery autumn breeze. I snuggle under a knitted blanket myself, still clinging onto sweet scenes of sheep lazing in the grassy valleys; of children frolicking and eating ice creams, whose wellied feet left soft indents in the golden heath below; of faraway dales with lush emerald foliage, the crowns of trees forming a luminous, undulating sheet of Sacramento green, occasionally interrupted with dashes of crimson, garnet, mahogany.

‭‭Psalm ‭148:1‭-‬14‬

‬‬[1] Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!
[2] Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!
[3] Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!
[4] Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens!
[5] Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created.
[6] He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.
[7] Praise the Lord from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths;
[8] Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
[9] Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars;
[10] Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl;
[11] Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;
[12] Both young men and maidens; Old men and children.
[13] Let them praise the name of the Lord, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.
[14] And He has exalted the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints— Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him. Praise the Lord!