One of the best parts of our nomadic lifestyle is the variety of homes we get to live in. We have enjoyed everything from big city apartments to thatched roof cottages on working farms. But so far the most unique has definitely been the Barbican in Glenarm, Northern Ireland. http://www.irishlandmark.com/property/the-barbican/ A barbican is the outer defense of a castle or walled city, especially a double tower above a gate or drawbridge. In this case the term castle is misleading as Glenarm Castle is really a manor house. This 1825 neo gothic tower was built for decoration, not defense but whatever the purpose it is delightful.
As with so many places in both Britain and Europe in general, the way into the Barbican rooms is by stone, circular stairs. The balustrade is sections of rope, so there is something to hold on to as you climb up and around to each level. First the bedroom then up to the living/kitchen area and finally to the rooftop patio.
It is hard to be a princess in todays world. Instead you are expected to be a Wonder Woman; both functional and ornamental. The fairy tale, happily ever after, rescued by the Prince stories that I was raised on are, to say the least, politically incorrect and just plain impractical in the modern world. The life I lead today would not have been possible if I had not had a 33 year career. And I am thankful that I was able to choose to work outside of the home instead of being socially forced to quit my teaching job, stay home and raise the kids. For other women the reverse is true. They often experience social and/or economic pressure to participate in the workforce when their dream is to be a full time Mom.
And that is where it all breaks down. I think every woman has her own mental picture of what it means to be a Princess, but don’t we all have the shared idea that it means you get your happily ever after? With or without a Prince?
Ok back to the Barbican. The deck on top was our favorite place to be, especially in the morning. We would take our coffee, survey the land, listen to the birds and watch the sheep graze in the fields. And of course it was the perfect place to people watch. We could easily see the people of the town come and go, off to work or school or just to walk through the barbican gate onto the manor grounds.
As we were sitting up there one morning, a group of schoolchildren came by. They were 4-5 years old, walking with their teacher and some parents on a class outing. As with most other people the class paused to look up at our tower. But unlike the others the kids were visibly excited at the sight of the castle tower, set apart from any other building. We laughed as we heard them exclaim, “Who do you think lives there? Do you think there is a Princess in there?’
Of course we had no choice. First John leaned over the wall and waved.”Oh look”, the children cried, ”I see the Prince. There he is!” They waved at him and called out hello. Then I came over to join him. “It’s her,it’s her. There IS a Princess in the castle!” As I waved, I smiled at the childrens’ words. Yes. Today I am a Princess.
As we stood and waved and laughed together with the other knowing adults one little girl turned to her teacher and asked, “Isn’t she too old to be a Princess?” I was momentarily crushed; were my Princess days gone forever? The teacher quickly gave the best of all answers, “Maybe she is the Mother of a Princess?” “Oh yes”, said the child,” that must be it, so could she be a Princess too”? “Of course”, replied the teacher looking up at me with a smile.
After the children went on their way with backward glances and last waves of farewell we prepared for our excursion of the day. The words of the little girl and her teacher stayed with me. My daughter is a princess and so am I. My husband and son are both princes. Not because we live in a castle or have relatives who were royalty but because like the princesses in the fairy tales we face life's challenges with kindness and courage as we search for our happily ever after.
And what happens when the Prince rescues the Princess? She rescues him right back.
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