Looking down on the rolling hills and the country side..of "Shannon" Ireland..as the plane approached..I could not believe I was really here..finally after saving and scrimping for years..this desire to see the home place..and of the other country side stories I had heard most of my life..had been a wish for years.. The plane was approaching..and I could see the small tiny airport coming into view..landing was no problem..but getting off the plane was..now that I was finally here..there was news that there was a cattle disease of Hoof and Mouth going around..therefore we were to be decontamiated..walking through a fine mist of spray..we were told things would be fine..well I sure hoped so..after all this I sure did not want to catch something or take it back to the states..even if cows could catch it ..although we were informed people could not.. What a welcome..hoof and mouth disease..I had to laugh..no one would believe this..!! Walking around the small airport..I could hear the Irelanders speak..and in listening to their accent I knew right off if I said one word they would know I was from the good old USA..having to get some transportation to the closet town..I asked a lady behind a counter..with the glass inclosed case full of four leaf clovers for sale..they were the Ireland good luck charm..in green onyx and silver..and I had to admit they were really very quant..I bought three..and knew they would be a nice little token souvenir from my trip for someone.. Oh Ireland was a pretty place..in going directly to the small country town of Shannon..the land was well kept and so clean..everything in it's place..even to the compost pills beside the barns in large wooded built containers..and covered..with white muslin cloth..who would have thought of covering something like a compost pile..but they did and in doing so everything was in it's proper place and to the point.. The town of thatched roofs..and stucco homes were as I had seen in picture books of the country..and the flowers were simply magnificent to see..blooming and growing in abundance all over..there was no where you did not see flowers..and tulips were outrageously everywhere..and gorgeous.. I found a nice little guest house..and registering and going to my room..it was as all else..spotless..homey and comfortable..although somewhat tired from the flight I was so excited to be here that I would rest later..I just had to check out things..wanting to know all I could find out about past or present family..and those relatives I had not seen in my life living in the states..this was great..me actually here..I could not get over the adulation of just being in Ireland itself.. In requiring about family names..I found there was a whole string of family far as the name went..the Bruce's were from Ireland..and Scotland and lord only knew where else..and after eating a fine meal in the Inn I decided to call upon family..they in turn could come by and visit and meet me here at the Inn..much easier than I trying to find them.. My first call was to a Harrom Bruce..he was an elderly gentleman and known to many in Shannon I soon found out..he and his wife..Laura had grown children around my age..and this would be nice to see them..maybe I could have them help me in finding some of the other family members..and I sure did want to go to Scotland to see the castle..King Robert Bruce of Scotland's Castle..I had read stories about him..his history was interesting..and to think I had a grandfather down the line who was a King..I can remember my mom and I talking about coming here one day..and claiming the Castle..we would always day dream..of things past..but it was fun in doing it.. Days turned into weeks..and I became the loving member of the Bruce family..and adored them all..they ate like they all were on their last meal..and good healthy people they were..with such an abundance of food I had never seen..the girls who were still at home there were two now..and the one son..were always doing for their elderly parents..but they in turn were doing as well for their off spring...it was a family unity I had not seen as in the States..although I thought my family close..these people were like glue..and although married and having families of their own..they all seemed to gather at the main house and did all their eating..praying..and washing there..the only thing I could think of was the Bruce family sure was an extended family..and so lovingly close.. Katherine was a sweet lovely girl in her late twenty's and had no fore thought of ever getting married I don't think..she had a few suitors as they called them..but she said she had plenty of time..with all the nieces and nephews she had she had no desire to settle down for the moment to have a family of her own..being in her late twenty's all knew she would be an old maid..and were no less pleased to voice this openion at times..lovely as she was..she never complained of family trying to spar her off with someone and especially on Sunday's when after church..with no work ever done on the Lord's day.. some of the eligible men would just happen to drop by..I always got a kick out of their excuses..but Katherine was never swayed.. I eventually moved to the Bruce compound as I called it..the home of massive rooms..and dark hardwood floors..and most of the convinces of the day..there was no reason I was told by Uncle Harrom to pay at the Inn when there was plenty of room here..so be it..here I was..luggage and all..and actually I was more happy to be with family than having to depend on someone coming to fetch me for visit's..now I could be a part of the family..in helping or whatever they chose..it made me just feel better.. Before the last of summer we had chosen to go to Scotland and see my castle as they all referred to..knowing that this had been on my mind so much..well we did go..it was something to behold..and I will always remember the caretaker of the Castle..a descendent of family..very polished..and seemly almost rude..but after talking to Uncle Harrmon he was a lot more friendly..and seemed to be taken with me..he living in a modern up dated apartment on the top floor of the Castle..the lower for the daily parade of tourists..they in taking a fee was giving to the state in keeping with the traditions of upkeep and maintenance for the Castle..I loved seeing the Bruce Castle.. Now the trip is over..I am home..and in the years of traveling to find whatever it is people look for...I know I have found it..the closeness of family unity..and love for fellow man..what a wonderful way to enjoy life..

By Kyusha��1999
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