Just for fun today, I've posted this interview with Maeve Murphy, my heroine from The Wedding Journey. I hope you enjoy getting to know her better.
- Maeve, tell me the most
interesting thing about you.
I don’t think of myself as all that interesting, but people
always ask me how I learned the things I know about natural remedies. From the
time I was a wee child, my mother taught me, she did. I accompanied her to the
births of most of the village children. There was a woman in the village who
taught me how to gather plants and use them for their healing properties.
2. What do you do for
fun?
Spending time with my sisters, sometimes making a simple
meal to share, other times singing and dancing . Joy is in time spent together,
not the cost.
3. What do you put
off doing because you dread it?
I’d postpone laundry day forever if I could, but I can’t leave it all for my sisters.
My clothing is for the most part, hand-me-downs and plain faded dresses. No
soap or iron can make them look any better, but we take pride in being clean
and having our garments pressed. One day I will have pretty dresses and maybe
even a new hat.
4. What are you
afraid of most in life?
I haven’t counted all the times God said, “Fear not,” in His
Word, but He must have thought He needed to tell me over and over so I’d get
it. I believe His promises are true. He called me His child and assured me He’s
my Fortress, my Shelter and my High Tower. If God is with me, who can stand
against me? When I walk by faith and keep my eyes on Jesus, I have nothing to
fear. When I have concerns, I turn them over to Him, and He is faithful.
5. What do you want out
of life?
I want to be a good wife and one day a loving mother. I hope
to live my life so once I’m gone, my family will remember me fondly and have
many good memories. A new pair of knickers would be a blessin’ too.
6. What is the most
important thing to you?
Family. Back in Ireland we Murphys were as close as a family
can be. Losing Mother and later Da was like losing a part of myself. My sisters
are my dearest friends and confidants. One day soon we will each have our own
families, with husbands and children, and there’s nothing I’d like more than
gathering often.
7. Do you read? If
so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
We never had money for books, but my dear mother had a few
in her trunk. Even though there was work to be done in the fields and the
cottage, Da made sure my sisters and I went to school long enough to be able to
read and cipher. On Saturday nights we used to gather to read Mother’s Bible.
8. If you could
change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Why I’d change this wild red hair, I would! My oldest sister
Nora’s hair is lustrous and dark, and Bridget’s is a lovely auburn hue with
waves—but mine? Well, mine is bright red-orange with corkscrew kinks. It’s
downright unmanageable…but for some reason unbeknownst to me, Flynn Gallagher
thinks it’s beautiful.
9. Do you have a pet?
If so, what is it and why that pet?
I once raised a lamb that’s mother died. Da warned me not to
grow attached, but I loved that wooly creature, even when he grew too big to
keep in the pen near the garden. Da didn’t have the heart to make mutton stew
out of him, so that fat sheep provided us with wool socks and scarves for many
winters.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and
why?
I’d travel to a hillside on a starry night and follow one
bright star to Bethlehem. With the wise men and shepherds I’d bow before the
newborn King and know the awe and wonder of that night—and the miracle of God’s
love for mankind.
