A Museum, and A Personal Pilgrim

The weather did NOT cooperate today... it rained heavily and was cold and raw. So we shifted the plan for the day, and spent extra time in the Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth. They have the finest permanent display of Pilgrim items, including the Geneva Bible that William Bradford used in Scrooby (England), Leiden (Netherlands) and Plymouth. There is a traveling display in honor of the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims' arrival in the Netherlands... including the original record book in which the Clerk recorded the decision of the Leiden rulers to let them settle there. Also on-site is an archive of original material available by appointment only.
I was struck at the assortment of items the Pilgrims elected to bring with them on the Mayflower. Most were practical, related to storage, warmth, etc. But some were clearly brought just because they were beloved and life would be less without them.
Of particular interest is the original of the Mayflower Compact, arguably the most important early document in American history. With it a group of rag-tag exiles, some religious but most not, agree to cooperate for their mutual survival in a simple democracy. It happened quickly, but the words are immortal and affect us still.
We kept waiting for the rain to stop so we could explore Plimouth Plantation at leisure; it was not to be.
In the heavy rain we headed south onto Cape Cod for a visit with one of the heroes of my life-- my dad's cousin, Barbara Silvester. You may have heard me refer to her in sermons: Because of damage done in the birthing process, she started life with severe brain and spinal chord damage. Unable to walk alone or do what other children do, she learned to observe and care and connect. Not expected to live past 18, she is now 85. Undamaged are her spirit, her sharp mind, and her positive attitude. She cannot care for herself any longer and is afflicted with lung cancer; she has given up her home and is now in a nursing home. "This is a good place, and they take good care of me," she says. Over the years we treasured her hand-written (how?) cards and notes; she was especially attentive to Katie at each holiday and birthday. She wanted to know all about our travels and several times wished us all the best. We asked the staff to correct the spelling of her name on their records (they put a "Y" in Silvester, as many do). What a woman.
As I write this, the Sox are leading the Yanks 5-0. A couple of loads of laundry, a good sleep, and tomorrow we head for London.