Calling all Jardine clan members...

One of the highlights for our daughter -- Lisa Jardine Bruce -- was visiting the area in Scotland where the Jardine Clan Society is headquartered. We knew we were getting close when we visited Sweetheart Abbey -- in the graveyard next to the Abbey there were a number of graves for Jardine's -- including a geneology!

We were able to see the area where the old Jardine Hall was before it burnt down -- the connection for us was powerful. We walked in what can only be described as the "family graveyard"-- yes, there were other names there as well, but the number of Jardine's was amazing!

The clan motto is: CAVE ADSUM -- beware, I am here. Now, I'm hoping that I don't resemble that remark! Then again, maybe it isn't a bad thing.

It was great to "connect" with a part of my history -- and to have the name recognized wherever we went! With a name such as Jardine Bruce, we couldn't help but be popular in Scotland!

Of Friends and Cities

One of the great things about building a network of friends is that, well, they're friends!

In England, our old au pair Allan was such a wonderful host to Steve, Jardine and me...what a great gift! Allan took care of Jardine when she was 4 years old -- and her she was at 22 hanging around with him in London doing what girls want to do -- shop! And Allan was very obliging! Here you see Allan with Steve at a Turkish restaurant in Allan's neighborhood in Central London...Wow! What a great experience!

I am struck by the joy of friendships and by the love of friends...and by the intersection of the two.

Abbeys

It is incredible to stand in the nave of an Abbey that is open to the sky with a floor that is covered in grass. Standing in such places I couldn't help but begin to pray -- praying for the people of St. Clement's, for my family and friends, giving thanks for God's creation.

In every Abbey ruin we walked through my imagination brought me back to the time when the Abbey was full of monks praying the hours and living a rather harsh life. The beauty of the surrounding countryside was not lost on me, and I'm sure wasn't lost on them. Scotland was amazing!

As we walked through the Abbey ruins, my mind also was filled with thoughts of visitors in the past to these beautiful, holy places. One Abbey we stopped at -- Glenluce -- is a 12th Century Cistercian Abbey founded in 1190 by Roland, Earl of Galloway. The remains include a handsome Chapter house and occupies a site of great natural beauty. It was visited by Robert the Bruce and James IV. Mary Queen of Scots stayed here during a royal progress. You read things like this and have to wonder to yourself, "did they stand where I'm standing?" "Did they pray here too?"

I'll post more pictures and reflections during the weeks to come. It was an amazing trip, and I feel blessed to have made it!