Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano
  • Home
  • Blog Reflections
  • REDEMPTION THRILLER
  • THE CONTRACT Series
  • My Memoir
  • Poetry
  • About

A quieter Halloween...

10/31/2016

4 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
     Two years ago, my husband and I traveled to Ireland, the country of my ancestors. Though brief, the visit was memorable, and one day in particular, unforgettable.
​
     We took a bus tour to the ruins of Glendalough, a 6th century village tucked within the Wicklow mountains. As the tour group meandered between one structure and the next, I decided to walk alone through the ancient graveyard. Rather than Halloween’s witches and goblins, there was just a quiet breeze and extraordinary beauty.

     Caught in my own tearful reverie, I did not notice the gentleman standing behind me, until he began to speak.

     I’ve been watching you, as you’ve walked among the graves.

     Startled, I turned and was met with soft eyes of gray.
 
     You love it here, don’t you? Where are you from?

     The United States, wiping away the tears from my face. 

     I thought so. I live just down the road and visit every day.

     Together we stood before the field of tombstones and trees, this nameless gentleman and me, admiring the history at our feet, but otherwise not saying anything - until I took my leave.
​
Picture
Picture
Picture
4 Comments
John Fioravanti link
11/1/2016 11:00:05

This is a beautiful piece - I can imagine being there in that quiet, peaceful place. Thanks for sharing this memory, Gwen!

Reply
Gwen Plano link
11/3/2016 19:43:51

You would love it, John. Thanks for visiting....

Reply
Jan Sikes link
11/1/2016 13:11:40

As with everything you share, Gwen, this was beautiful and touching.

Reply
Gwen Plano link
11/3/2016 19:44:41

Thank you, Jan....it was a memorable encounter...

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    For blog updates, please subscribe below. 
    * indicates required

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


Plano Enterprises, LLC
Photos used under Creative Commons from Kevin M. Gill, Joel Bedford, qthomasbower, crosescribe, Juho Holmi, diana_robinson, W Presley & B Kunce Photography......WI. USA, U.S. Geological Survey, Ian Sane, florianric, NikoMC, van Van Es, Yen Chao 趙彥, MissMessie, Yuriy Kuzin, Ben Zvan, Bichuas (E. Carton), Nina Matthews Photography, hehaden, alexdecarvalho, Tim RT, Kurdistan Photo كوردستان, Candida.Performa, peddhapati (Thanks for 1M Views!!!), Jhong Dizon | Photography, Waheed Akhtar Photography, lawmurray, USFWS Pacific, JalilArfaoui, SurFeRGiRL30, Lauren Finkel Photography, maf04, SantaRosa OLD SKOOL, Dakiny, vauvau, Zanastardust, Monica's Dad, timpeartrice, marumeganechan, Rafael Acorsi, seyed mostafa zamani, Jorge Franganillo, Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea), The National Guard, D.Fletcher, nada abdalla, Ted LaBar, alison.mckellar, Infomastern, Elvert Barnes, m01229, theglobalpanorama