“You know how much I’m going to miss you, right?” he looked into her beautiful Irish eyes.
“Aye, and I ye.” Tessy’s tears welled up. One escaped and rolled down her cheek. Marshall caught it, then kissed her again.
Tessy smiled and shook her head, “Go on with ye, now. Ye don’t want to keep Dotty waiting that supper on ye.”
Marshall picked up his suitcase and they walked out to the car. “I’ll call you the minute I get in the door,” Marshall promised as he opened the car door. He stopped, gave her one more kiss, “I love you with all my heart.”
“And, I love ye to the moon and back,” Tessy smiled. “Now, drive careful and make sure ye stop along the way to stretch your legs and get something to eat,” she lectured.
Marshall was in the car with the window down. “Yes, dear,” he teased.
“Never mind with your nonsense. Way ye go!” Tessy chuckled.
Marshall blew her a kiss out the window as he drove past and down the lane.
Tessy caught it, pulling it to her heart as she stood watching and waving. Duke and Darby were close beside her. They could feel her melancholy mood. Duke nudged her hand with his nose. Tessy looked down at her loyal companions and smiled, “What would I do without ye, my wee darlings. Come let’s go get ye a treat.” She gave them each a loving rub before entering the house and rewarding them with their treat. It was deafeningly quiet. The single sound resonating throughout the house was the water fountain cheerfully splashing in the foyer. The one and only other time she felt this kind of emptiness was right after she lost her beloved Dermot. Oh, how long ago that seems, now, she thought.
Tessy shook off all the negative feelings as best she could and headed for the kitchen. She really didn’t know what to do with herself. To keep busy, she tidied up the kitchen and hand washed the breakfast dishes. She stood starring out the kitchen window. Then it dawned on her… a cleansing… that’s what Ashling Manor needs! Of course, even though the house had been filled with beautiful people and positive energy all summer, it was everyone else’s energy. She quickly dried her hands and went into her little herbal kitchen. She reached up to one of her bundles of dried sage and lavender hanging from the rack. She was all out. Not concerned, she found some with rosemary and lit the bundle of herbs. She walked throughout the house and chanted:
With these herbs, I cleanse and clean
From all those who here have been.
Though love and joy were present always
Your stale energy still lingers and stays.
So, out ye go to the Universe so vast
All that is unwanted present, future and past.
I ask the Divine to hear and grant my plea
As this is my will – so mote it be.
When each and every room was thoroughly smudged, she returned to the main kitchen and stood quiet. “Aye. Much better!” Even Merlin and Cordelia came out to circle in and around her legs.
Feeling refreshed, Tessy spent the remainder of the day making product for the Wee Nook of Herbals and Oils. She made up packages of tea mixes, a couple of different salves and some salt soaks.
As Tessy puttered about, her thoughts turned to Sage and the clan named after the herbs. She hadn’t had much time to do any research over in Ireland, but she was sure she would be able to do a little investigating on this side of the pond. She was wondering if maybe Sages’ mom, Rosemary, would be ready for another visit soon. And, oh my, wouldn’t it be wonderful if Sage’s grandmother, Rose, could accompany her. Tessy was sure she must hold great ancestral knowledge. Tessy decided to invite Sage over for Sunday supper and a good visit. Aye, ‘twas time to start enlightening Sage regarding her heritage. So be it! she announced to the Universe, and Merlin the cat, who happened to be sitting watching her with considerable interest. Tessy chuckled, “Oh, a penny for your thoughts, wee darlin’!”
Tessy stopped what she was doing to give Sage a quick call about Sunday. The phone rang until it went to voice-mail. She didn’t want to leave an invite on the machine so she just asked Sage to give her a call when she got in. She carried on with her tasks at hand and was just finishing scooping the last of the bath salts into a sachet when she looked at the clock. Marshall should be back in Winnipeg and calling any minute. She scurried around cleaning up all the ingredients and washing the utensils. She looked at the clock again.
“Hmmm… that’s odd,” she looked at Merlin. “I wonder if I should give Dotty a call?” She decided she was just getting upset over nothing. If anything was wrong, surely he would call and let her know. She busied herself for another hour and still no call. She picked up the phone and called Winnipeg. Dotty answered right away.
“Hello, Dr. Tayse?” Dotty sounded just as concerned.
“No Dotty, it’s Tessy.”
“Oh, Tessy. Did Dr. Tayse get away late?”
“No. He left right on time. He should be there. You haven’t heard anything either?”
“No. Not a word. Where on earth can he be?”
“Oh, Dotty! I don’t know. But we can’t think the worst. I’m sure there is a logical reason he is running late,” Tessy stated it out loud, for herself as much as for Dotty.
They left the conversation with a promise to call the minute either of them had any word about his whereabouts.
Tessy’s mind wandered back to their parting earlier in the day. She scolded herself for not putting a protective shield around the car before he left. Her mind was reeling. Her heart was pounding. “Please, please dear Lord, don’t let anything happen to this wonderful man,” she prayed out loud. Then she went back to the phone and called Marshall on his cell. It went straight to voice mail. Now she was truly worried.
Another excruciating hour and fifteen minutes went by before the telephone rang. Tessy froze, held her breath, then leapt for the phone. It was Sage. Tessy’s heart sank and she told Sage she couldn’t talk right then, but would call her later. As soon as she hung up, the phone rang again. Tessy grabbed it.
“Hello? Hello?”
“Darling, it’s Marshall. I know you must be so worried. I’m so sorry.”
Tessy burst into a puddle of relieved tears. She couldn’t speak.
“Oh darling. It’s okay. Oh, I wish I was there to hold you.”
Tessy finally got her voice, “Oh Marshall! Where have you been? What happened?”
“Well, It’s the most incredible thing. I had an annoying pebble in my shoe so when I came across a roadside rest area I decided to stop and take it out. There was another vehicle parked there and I could see it was a young woman. She looked like she was in great distress. I walked over to the car and there was this young, pregnant Vietnamese woman crying and obviously in pain. I knocked on the car window, but she was reluctant to open it. I told her I was a doctor and asked if she was okay.”
“Oh my!” said Tessy, completely forgetting how upset she had been.
Marshall continued his story. “I went and got my medical bag and showed it to her. She opened the door and let me examine her. Well, that baby was on its way! I called an ambulance, but we were quite a ways from any hospital. So, I got her to lay down in the back seat as comfortable as possible. She couldn’t understand me very well and I couldn’t understand her very well, but between the two of us a beautiful baby boy was born.”
“Oh Marshall! How wonderful! What a Blessing you truly are. Are they both fine?”
“Yep, both momma and baby are doing just great. He’s a strong little guy. He certainly has a healthy set of lungs, I’ll tell ya that!”
“That’s grand. Just grand, dear. I think that annoying little pebble in your shoe was there for a reason?”
Marshall laughed, “You know, I think you’re right.”
“Why didn’t ye call me?” Tessy asked.
“I was so caught up in the moment, I didn’t realize it had taken so long. I followed the ambulance to the hospital to make sure they were okay.”
“Well, where are you now, love?”
/> “The ambulance took her into Portage. So that’s where I am now. I’m bushed, but I think I’ll just head on home. Would you please call Dotty and Bert and let them know I’m okay and on my way?”
“Aye, love. Be very happy to. I know they will be just as relieved as me.”
“I love you, sweetheart,” Marshall sighed.
“I love you, too. Drive careful!” Tessy scolded.
“You bet.”
She was relieved knowing Marshall was on his way home safe and sound. She called Dotty immediately and gave her the good news. Dotty spilled a few tears of relief, as well!
After such a scare, Tessy wasn’t sure what to do with herself. She decided she had better return Sage’s phone call.
“Hello.” Tessy loved the sound of Sage’s cheerful, sweet voice.
“Sage, dear. It’s Tessy.”
“Oh hi! Are you all right? I was quite worried after speaking with you. I was thinking of coming over.”
“Aye, dear. Thank ye. I am, now. I’m sorry I was so abrupt with ye earlier. It’s just that I was waiting for a call from Marshall as he was hours late.”
“Oh, Tessy! What happened? Is he okay?”
“Aye, all’s fine. But he had quite a trip and he’s not home yet. He stopped to help a young woman deliver her baby along the way.”
“What? Seriously? How? Where?”
Tessy chuckled, “Aye. Right along the highway.” She told Sage the whole story.
The conversation eventually got around to the reason Tessy called and left a message with Sage in the first place.
“Aye dear, I was wondering if ye’d like to come over for Sunday supper?”
“Yah, sure! I would love to. Thanks. Should I check to see if Tommy can make it, too?”
“Oh, if ye don’t mind, I’d like it to be just the two of us. I have some things I need to discuss with you privately.”
“Oh… sure! Anything you care to tell me, now?”
Tessy chuckled, “No, dear. Not until then.”
“Okay.”
“Well, I’ll let ye go for now, dear. Have a grand evening.”
“Yah, you too, Tess. See you Sunday.”
Sage was almost beside herself trying to figure out what it was Tessy needed to talk to her about. Thanks goodness it was only a couple of days until Sunday!
30
The Wise Woman’s Knowing
Life at Ashling Manor was back to normal. Over the next couple of days, Tessy returned to a comfortable routine. She spent time down at the pharmacy, made more products, and restocked her herb kitchen. She was glad Sage had accepted her Sunday supper invite. She wasn’t sure where she was going to start with Sage but knew it would all play out as it should.
Saturday morning Tessy lay in bed. She’d had the hospital dream again, in which she could not get past opening the door. This same dream had come to her many times over the last few weeks. However, this time it was different, her mother appeared just long enough to say the famous phrase, ‘You’ve nothing to fear but fear itself.’ Tessy reached over to her dream journal, which lay on her bed stand. She wrote down the familiar scenario and climbed out bed to start her day
It was August first, Lammas, on the Celtic Wheel of the Year. A time to celebrate the first harvest and a time to be thankful for all that is abundant in your life. Tessy had plenty to be thankful for and was looking forward to honouring this sacred day.
After breakfast, she cleansed and prepared her tools and placed them in a basket for her simple solitary ritual. She strolled out to the garden where she had planted four ferns during last year’s ceremony. She smiled at how well they were doing and at how much the faeries must be enjoying them. Oh, the changes that have occurred since then, she mused, Aye, so much to be thankful for.
Each year, other than her Lammas chant, she liked to change up her rituals a bit. This year, from her basket, she pulled out the beautiful Celtic design tablecloth she’d purchased in Galway and spread it over the picnic table. She then brought out and placed a bowl of soil for Earth in the north, a feather for Air in the east, a beeswax candle for Fire in the south and a dish of water for Water in the west. She also brought out four more beeswax candles and set one beside each of the elements. She reached back in for her crystals. Jasper for protection, topaz for joy, abundance and to help discover one’s own personal riches, and a carnelian to restore vitality. Next was her Abalone shell to hold the frankincense to burn for purification and to release an uplifting and powerful vibration. Last, but not least, were small jars of her beloved herbs to sprinkle during her chant. Angelica for protection, bay for purification, St. John’s wort for happiness, and sunflower for wisdom.
Once Tessy was satisfied with the way the alter was arranged she lit the frankincense and all the candles calling in the Lord and Lady as well as all deities who wished to be present. She then quieted and took in some long deep breaths slowly releasing them one by one. Soon she felt relaxed with Mother Earth embracing her. As she sprinkled the herbs she chanted:
Lord and Lady full of grace,
Thank you for this sacred place.
I celebrate this first harvest of plenty
In my garden filled with wee Gentry.
The days grow shorter and the nights long
While the birds still swoop, and sing their song.
Though prosperity and blessings I thank you for,
I ask that it is love and peace on Earth you pour.
This will I gently plea.
So mote it be.
She stood quiet for the next while just listening to the sounds of Mother Nature. She gave thanks and allowed the candles time to burn down. She spent time in her gardens honouring the day by harvesting her herbs, picking raspberries and beautiful long stalks of ruby red rhubarb. When she was done, she thanked the Lord, Lady and all deities for their presence, blew out any candles still burning, gathered up the items and set them back in the basket. She spent the remainder of the day baking. The kitchen smelled heavenly. She made Lemon Thyme Tea Loaf, Herbed Soda Bread and her famous Spiced Rhubarb Muffins. The lemon loaf she would have tomorrow with Sage, she froze half of the muffins and the soda bread she would enjoy this evening with her lamb chop stew. Traditionally, she had made Dingle pie for Lammas but, again, she wanted to change things up a bit this year.
The children stopped by on their way home from the beach to visit and have a romp with Duke and Darby. Tessy treated them to a muffin each, hoping it wouldn’t spoil their supper. When they were ready to leave Tessy waved as they chattered to each other and peddled their bikes down the lane. What a delight to have them drop by and watch them play. She smiled and reflected, another blessing she was so thankful for! When they were out of sight, she turned and entered the house to check on her stew. It was coming along very nicely.
Tessy walked down the hall and stood at the library door. She hesitated. She wondered if she dare imagine that Dermot might be there waiting. She had let go over the past six weeks but that didn’t mean she had stopped loving her first love. On this day of Lammas, she wanted to show Dermot how thankful she was for his presence in her life – both then and now. She opened the door and stepped in. She looked to see if there was any obvious sign of him. She walked over to the large mahogany desk, sat down in the matching chair and lovingly stroked them both.
Tessy felt mixed vibrations, as the last person to sit in the chair was Marshall. She did some deep breathing and meditated on Dermot’s energy. She smiled. The strong scent of Old Spice, Dermot’s favourite aftershave, wafted all around her and she knew. He was there in the room with her.
She spoke, “Dermot, my love, thank ye for joining me here on this special day. I know ye have been watching over me the whole time and helped over in Ireland. I thank ye for that, too. ‘Tis grand to feel your presence once more. I hope ye don’t mind that Marshall has decided to soon join us here full time. Although, I’d be bettin’ that ye might have had a hand in that,” she chuckled. “I’m sure the pair
of ye will be spending some time together out in that new shop of his. That was something ye always talked about doin’ yourself someday but the good Lord had other plans for ye. I know I promised to accept ye stepping back, granting Marshall the liberty to be the main figure in my life. I will hold to that promise. For I do know ye are watching. God love ye, Dermot McGuigan.” She got up, walked out, turned and looked at the desk one more time before closing the door behind her.
Tessy puttered around the kitchen with last minute preparations for her Lammas meal. She lit a large white candle in the centre of the table and poured herself a glass of wine before she sat down. She gave thanks and ate the sacred meal. She had just finished her last bite of soda bread when the phone rang. It was Marshall. He knew this was an important day for Tessy and wanted to wish her well.
“Oh, what a sweet man, ye are!” Tessy gushed. “I was going to give ye a call when I was having my tea but ye beat me to it.” They talked and laughed and told one another of their past few days. How wonderful it is to share your life with someone so lovingly compatible, Tessy thought after they hung up.
It was a beautiful evening. Tessy decided to start organising their holiday pictures and took them out to the veranda. She had picked up a lovely album at the pharmacy and began sorting through the photos. As she made a pile from each of their destinations she smiled with delight at the wonderful memories each one held. Tessy came across the one that Marshall had taken of her in front of the Torc Waterfall while on the Killarney jaunting tour. She hadn’t seen this one before! She stared at it. The photo captured mist from the waterfall creating a beautiful rainbow and all around it were bright orbs! She looked deeper and she noticed on the bottom right corner a splash of purple. She looked closer and realized it was the wizard! The mystical man was smiling right at Tessy. She held the picture close to her heart then set it off to the side. She would keep this photograph safe in her journal until she felt ready to share it! Tessy diligently worked until the sun started to fade. She got up, stretched and returned the remaining photos and album to the library.
Wise Woman Homage Page 17