The Modern Nomads

It’s super late here, but I can’t go to sleep without sharing the wonderfulness of this day! THIS day… Since I was my girls’ age, it has been a dream in the making. Today, I left the United States, crossed over the border into Canada, and then crossed over a loooong bridge into PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND!! EEEEK!!! 

If you have known me for any length of time, you know it has been a dream of mine to see the place where Anne with an E “lived.” I’ve longed to see the rolling hills, Lake of Shining Waters, White Way of Delight, and, of course, Green Gables. Though I will have to wait until tomorrow to see most of this, tonight, I got to meet and “see” Anne with an E.

Chris bought me, Cindy, and the girls tickets to the Anne of Green Gables Musical, and it was everything (and more) that I hoped it would be. The girl who played Anne embodied the red-headed orphan girl tremendously. There were times when I got so caught up in the story that I forgot it wasn’t “real.” But, then again, it WAS real. In a very real sense, I was actually sitting IN a theatre, in Prince Edward Island, and seeing the play that sparked my imagination so many years ago. You see, it was through Anne that my love of English, and words, and speaking began to take root. It was Anne who reminded me that asking questions was perfectly acceptable. It was Anne who taught me that no matter how bad today was, “tomorrow is fresh with no mistakes in it.” And, it was Anne who taught me that “being smart was better than being beautiful.” 

The story of Anne has been part of my childhood, and now it is part of my girls’. We’ve been reading the books for weeks, and I introduced them to the movies as soon as I thought it was appropriate. They have fallen in love with Anne’s story just as much as I have, and tonight it was an absolute dream to be with them watching the story that changed my life.  

Furthermore, we got the surprise of our lives. As we were leaving the theatre, Anne popped out of the dressing room. Oh! What a joy and a delight to meet Anne with an E! No…she wasn’t in costume, but it didn’t really matter to me (or the girls). For one moment, I was back as a seven-year old little girl and meeting my hero. (Even now the computer keys have become blurry from the tears of joy!) Tonight was definitely a night I will always remember. 

In moments like these, I’m reminded of the love our Heavenly Father has for us. He allows little moments of pure, raw, unadulterated happiness to sweep over us. Sometimes He allows us to “meet” our childhood heroes. And, all the time, He reminds me that all of life is nothing more than pure grace. 

Tomorrow I get to explore this beautiful island, and I can’t wait to share it with you. But, for now, I sleep (or, at least try to sleep). 

Meet Anne with an E