McDowell's First Girl

MCDOWELL'S FIRST GIRL

ISBN: # 978-1-4303-2860-5

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Here's a small portion to wet your appetite

I have heard the recounting of the clan's visit throughout my childhood but, my brother; Richey's is the best.

"You were just a baby, Emmy, only a couple of months old when they all arrived. It was late spring. I was in the side yard by the dogwoods -they were just starting to bloom and you know how I love the smell of those blooms."

I did know. Richey and I both loved the Dogwood trees in spring, so much so that we begged father to build our playhouse around the base of the trees.

"I was just sitting there under those wonderful trees when I looked up and I saw the Wind Chaser clipper round that far bend out there."

Richey pointed out a particular rock in the shape of a triangle. The triangle rock served as a marker in the river's turn, just before it flowed into the bay. I always nodded that I knew which rock he was pointing at, but I can't say that I actually did.

"That's where the ship was when I first seen it. The sails were still full in the wind, it was a great sight to see, Emmy. They moored the ship right out there, and came ashore in the smaller boats. All our uncles- six of them, mind you, and our grandmother and grandfather, and a few others, cousins and what not, all came to see you- the first girl of the family. We had a great feast that lasted four days and four nights. Uncle John and Uncle Stephen brought their pipes, and when they played, the tones were so soft that even the sparrows stopped in flight to listen."

Uncle John and Uncle Stephen were the best pipers in the family, although our father was no amateur. The pipes were one family tradition that father insisted be passed on to each generation. Richey's lessons began at the age of three. He could barely hold the bag aloft to pump any air in for the blowing.