Posted by Nancy, the dark haired lass on December 17, 2000 at 16:44:39:
Journal Entry, Seamus’s Cabin Journal
December ye 17th 1758
It is with great joy that I write this!
Seamus is awake and alert, but still not able to be up. He speaks some, but it is labored and difficult to understand and .....Oh, but I am getting way ahead of myself.
Uncles Angus and Quasi had gone away for a few days leaving me here to tend to Seamus, with specific instructions on how and when to administer the mysterious amber liquid. We have noted that Seamus has been gaining in strength over the last few weeks as we increased the strength of the broth he takes.
A few days ago I had gathered greens, winterberries and teaberries and decorated the cabin for Christmas in celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. I had made garlands, wreaths and swags and had placed them about the windows, doors, mantel and had just finished placing the pine rope on the porch railing. I went to the fireplace humming a Carol to myself and stirred the broth and when I turned to go look on Seamus, he was sitting up in his bed smiling at me. My heart leapt so I nearly swooned! I rushed to him, taking his hand in mine and clasping it to my cheek, I wept as never before. He tried to say something, but it just would not come out right. I asked him if he was thirsty and he nodded very slightly.
As I gave him a cup of water, he tried with all his might to grasp it, but he has not the strength yet to hold it to his lips. He did drink on his own as I held his cup, and he sat there in his bed for quite awhile until he had to lay down again. He has been alert each day, and tries to speak. While he has great difficulty in this, it is very obvious that he is steadily gaining ground on it. I have no doubt he will soon be speaking well. Every day his strength increases, and he tries to get up out of the bed, but he is not ready for this just yet.
Uncles Angus and Quasi returned home last evening to a joyous reunion, and Mother Ewe and the sheep are just beside themselves. The Uncles have done nothing but laugh, cry and slap each other on the arms and back, and sing some strange Gaelic song while they dance with the sheep.
Our prayers have been answered by a miracle and now, in this Season of Joy, we have one more blessing.
Nancy, the Dark-haired lass