Good memories can be recalled at just the right time and are important, especially when a comforting lift is needed.

Since December, many of us in the High Country have been under more stress than usual, mostly because of the unusually difficult winter weather we’ve experienced and others, too, because of serious illness affecting our family members and close friends. This is true for me and fortunately, one of those special memories has risen to the surface to boost my spirits.

In April, 1989, I was on vacation in Great Britain with my husband, Sam, and our son and daughter-in-law. It was a pleasure, as well as a blessing, to be able to visit the beautiful cathedrals in the Easter season. But, I kept thinking, I'd miss Easter with other family members back home and would not be able to hide and hunt eggs with my granddaughter. We were in Chester, England, the day before Easter and we headed out for Carlise in wind and rain.

We arrived late that night at the Bed and Breakfast Inn where we planned to stay. We could see nothing except the porch light and the innkeepers waiting to greet us. We drank hot tea and answered many questions about our life in America before going to bed.

We were awakened the next morning by the sound of the wind and expected to see more heavy rains as on the night before. What a wonderful surprise awaited me as I opened the heavy drapes! The sky was Carolina blue with not a single cloud. Glorious flowers were blooming everywhere as far as I could see! This was Easter blessing number one!

The aroma of breakfast drifted upstairs and music played as we dressed for the day.

Blessing number two came as I stopped on the stairs and listened carefully as the hymn, "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," wafted through the stairwell. I could not help but shed tears! That is one of my favorite hymns. I could not have heard it at a more perfect time!

What a happy Easter morning––different from the one I would have experienced at home––but just as joyous!