Once upon a time in the Shire….
Early morning light, soft and diffuse, gives way to the first sun rays of this day. In this light, I sit here, feeling the gentle caress of the warm sun on my skin, like the delicate wings of a butterfly, fluttering in the gentle breeze. White-puffed clouds, ships of white in the blue sky above are constantly moving and changing. Once upon a time there was a hobbit that lived in a small hole in the ground. It was a comfortable little home, bright, clean, happy, and filled with music and songs. I used to sing all the time, where Amorey went, there music and songs of love followed. Those songs I wrote in starlight, so that they may guide the way to those who travel in the night like a winding path of light in the darkness, a path I was not able to follow for myself.
This year it falls upon me to mark this day in the life of Shire Rose. Ten years ago today from a tiny seed, a Shire Rose came into bloom. Looking back now, it feels like an eternity. Once strong and beautiful, now fragile and small, all that remain are the memories, good and bad. Hobbits smiles, faces, hugs, tears. Cousin Yule left the Shire with a broken heart, seeking solitude in the frozen lands of the north, she left me her journal, and made me promise I would look after it. I am not sure I can do this for her but I will try my best, like I always do.
Shire Rose was always just a dream. It is small and gentle and kind, like hobbits should be. It was friendly and shy, like me. It was wise and strong, like Yule. It was charming like Tahitoa. It was jolly like Simbo. It was and forever will be the home of all those hobbit hearts that still wear that little pendent. Many of them are now gone, some have passed away, like my Pebble, but that does not mean I have forgotten them. I remember them all, they left imprints in my heart. To them I want to say ‘Thank You kindly!’ I hope you’ll remember me and Shire Rose, and all the beauty and happiness we shared.
Let my legacy and the legacy of Shire Rose be my love song from one humble Hobbit Heart to all those that need comfort and healing, a banner of Light as they walk in darkness.
“ Do you remember the Shire ? It'll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they'll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields... and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries ? ” - J.R.R. Tolkien
Happy 10th birthday Shire Rose!
♥
