Neilston, Natalie, Nods

Elaine is very grateful to Helen for accompanying her (and driving) to Neilston, her Mom’s hometown.

Seeing all three homes —the one on Station Road, and the Hillside and Lea Road homes —allowed Elaine to envision her Mom and sisters running down to St. Thomas' church, as their father reminded them that the ‘bells’ were ringing and it was time for benediction. Visualizing the McGhee family looking out from the back of the Lea Road house across the hills and braes was special.

Helen & Elaine drove down a country lane outside of Neilston and met Natalie and her dog, Brian. Natalie, from Heathrow, England, is married to someone from Scotland & couldn’t be happier than living life on the edge of the fields of Neilston. She was a delight and an angel.

Natalie told Elaine and Helen how to get to the Neilston Pad (which is a lake, not the hill that Elaine always thought). Yet, it is more than gorgeous, and a spot allows now for a lovely fishery and small snack shop. The ‘Pad’ is surrounded by the most beautiful of lands. Scotland graced Elaine & Helen for sure!

Then, when leaving the lunch spot to try to find the cemetery where Elaine’s grandparents were buried, Natalie turned up again! This time in her car (pup inside), as the ‘girls’ were stopped at a roadside trying persistently to figure out the location of the cemetery on the GPS. This time, she just said, “Most of Neilston is buried at the bottom of town in a big cemetery there, turn right at the corner." They did so. There it was!

The cemetery was huge! Thousands upon thousands of stones! Elaine had a photo of the stone from a ‘grave finder’ website (yes, there are such things). Where to look was only guided by the stone pictured and a lonely tree in the picture’s background. They wandered apart, and Elaine walked right to it. Her grandparents' resting place has been found! Guided by time, space, fate, and the spirit of love, this trip is bringing such rewards.

Helen said Jean wanted us there. Elaine has been so very moved in her heart to have found it. Honor to Agnes and James was cast in the breezes with love by both Elaine & Helen.

Then the two were off to Keswick and the green of the English lakes! The view from their room is magnificent.

More to come today.