I found this giant thistle sitting small and insignificant beside a huge painted canvas at an art show this weekend. The paintings were wonderful and the artist, very talented but it was this thistle that drew me.
Being of Scottish ancestory, I was brought up with the emblem of the thistle front and centre. My mother and grandmother always wore thistle brooches on their coats and jackets and I had a gigantic (at least 5" across) thistle brooh to pin my fly plaid below my shoulder. When you're five years old, the whole collection of highland dance parafanalia...kilt, fly plaid, sporran, lace ruffles and velvet jacket...was a little overwhelming and putting it all on was not something I looked forward to!
I recently discovered just why the thistle is such a popular symbol for Scotland. It became the national emblem after the Battle of Largs in 1263, when it's said that a Norse attack force decided on a stealthy night attack; however their leader stepped on a thistle and his yell alerted the Scots, thus saving Scotland! I'm not sure if it's true but it's a good story!
Summer is drawing to a close and I think it's safe to say that the long, hot, dog days are over...at least here in my neck of the woods! It's been a good summer and I've enjoyed it all...major changes, upheavals and all. As with the thistle, there have been "prickly" times that didn't always feel comfortable but the process has led me to enjoy the moments as they come. I'm aware that the thorns are there but I don't have to grab hold of them!
In the end, that's all we really have...a lifetime of moments and I won't squander those. With each year that passes, they're becoming far too precious.
Play well and be kind to one another.
