p2 Journey to Alexandria

LM Aug 07
My memory is dim on the actual emerging from the tunnel but I do remember a heavy pressure on my body and what seemed like a huge explosion. The next thing I remember is that I was kneeling next to my mother, next to the sacred pond, on the island of Iona and I was the red headed girl.
I am sure that this day in my life will be etched in my brain forever. Today I turned 13 and all the women on our cluster celebrated from dawn until late afternoon. Not only was I celebrating turning 13 I was also celebrating the last of my youth without a man of my own. Girls were married by 14 and I had one year to make my choice. Even some of the favorite men were brought over from their island to join the celebration, including four boys my age that had been picked to be my possible mate. I was honored by being allowed to wear the flowing gown of women before pregnancy and my jewelry was woven with island flowers and precious stones. This day was definitely the happiest of my life, the happiest . until late afternoon. From late afternoon on I was thrown into the deepest sorrow imaginable. That is the moment chosen for me to relive. That is the moment I arrived out of the tunnel.
My mother and I knelled beside the sacred pond. She seemed unusually sad, and for such a joyous day I was beginning to worry. My mother was mother goddess to our whole clan and always seemed to be able to maintain a positive attitude through any problems her fellow sisters could encounter. Everyone loved her and turned to her for everything emotional but this time her emotions were on the edge and I felt it.
Then the worst moment of my life arrived. She pulled out a letter from her pocket and started to read it aloud. It was a note from my favorite aunt Sena. She too had Red hair like mine and a very similar personality. She did not live on the island with us but on the nearby island with the men. Early on she much preferred the company of men and when she became pregnant and had a boy outside the designated time for communion she was sent away. I always looked forward to her visits and today she had been allowed to be at the celebration. Evidently she had slipped this letter to my mother sometime during the day.