Clear-Eyed Daughter of the Stars

I live in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  Because my parents took my brother and me to the Lime Kiln Theater so many times when our neighbors Robin and Linda Williams were playing in the musical Stonewall Country, I sing that song to myself whenever I see quintessential views of the mountains or seasonal changes.  Anytime I feel emotionally overwhelmed by the beauty of our surroundings, the lyrics pop into my head.  How many consecutive summers did we drive to Lexington to see Stonewall Country?  At least six times, maybe as many as fifteen.  They say that the word Shenandoah is Native American in origin.  One quixotic, if not verifiable, translation of Shenandoah is “clear-eyed daughter of the stars”.

. . .

. . .

. . . I hope to quit this world in Stone Wall Country
And as the years roll ’round
My bones will turn to limestone
And my soul will look down
On the blue haze hills of Stone Wall Country
And on the Valley green
To watch the golden fields of Autumn
Turn to Winter white and clean
And then blossom into Spring . . .