A Mint Gift...

I received two lovely surprises this morning.

Firstly the postman rang the door bell at 9.30 and this normally dour, grumpy, monosyllabic individual, greeted me with a huge smile and proceeded to happily chat for a minute or two before handing over some boring letters and an interesting looking parcel. Not sure what brought on this change of character but hope it lasts!

And therein lay the second lovely surprise. The interesting parcel that turned out be a 25th wedding anniversary gift from a dear friend.

It's a beautiful, 2014 limited edition of the pound coin in sterling silver. Four special edition coins have been minted. One for England, one for Ireland, one for Wales and THIS one for Scotland.

It bears a design by Timothy Noad that unites two of Scotland's floral emblems, the thistle and the bluebell, which just happen to be two of my favourite flowers. The edge of the coin features the inscription "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit - No one provokes me with impunity - Scotland's motto.

Peter, you are a kind and thoughtful friend. I can't think of a lovelier gift to commemorate the 25th year since our wedding and we shall treasure it. Thank you so much!

Two pieces of verse are included in the information booklet and I note them below. Beautiful words.

A Nation's Strength by Ralph Waldo Emerson

What makes a nation’s pillars high
And its foundations strong?
What makes it mighty to defy
The foes that round it throng?

It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.

Is it the sword? Ask the red dust
Of empires passed away;
The blood has turned their stones to rust,
Their glory to decay.

And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown
Has seemed to nations sweet;
But God has struck its luster down
In ashes at his feet.

Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor’s sake
Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...
They build a nation’s pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.


O' Flower of Scotland Roy Williamson

O' flower of Scotland
When will we see your like again
That fought and died for
Your wee bit hill and glen