Received this in the mail from The Mute Swan:
The Daffodil Principle
Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, “Mother,
you must come see the daffodils before they are over.”
I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna
to Lake Arrowhead. “I’ll come next Tuesday, ” I promised, a little reluctantly,
on her third call.
Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had
promised, and so I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn’s house and
hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said, “Forget the daffodils, Carolyn!
The road is invisible in the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world
except you and these children that I want to see bad enough to drive another
inch!”
My daughter smiled calmly and said, “We drive in
this all the time, Mother.”
“Well, you won’t get me back on the road until it
clears, and then I’m heading home!"
“I was hoping you’d take me to pick up my car, it’s
just a few blocks away.” I’ll drive. I’m
used to this.
***
After several minutes, I had to ask, “Where are we
going? This isn’t the way to the garage!”
Carolyn grinned, “We’re going to my garage by way
of the daffodils.”
“Carolyn, please turn around,” I said sternly.
“It’s all right, Mother. I promise. You will never
forgive yourself if you miss this experience.”
After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small
gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a
hand-lettered sign that read, “DAFFODIL GARDEN”.
We got out of the car and each took a child’s hand,
and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, we turned a corner and I looked up
and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight. It looked as though someone
had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and slopes.
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