Once upon a time in a land called Tennessee, a young man left to explore the world and the sea.
His name was Lucius Peabody.
Lucius left before everybody knew everything about everything, and claimed their version was the right one, long before the gifts of television and mass and instant communication made us think we knew everything about everywhere. So, he was essentially wandering into the unknown.
Lucius went to sea and saw damn near most of the world. He learned a lot and quickly forgot it except that the most wonderful place to live was in the Southwest corner of North America.
Before he settled there on one of his stops, he met a beautiful woman, Abigail Kilarney, who captivated him, and they devoted their lives to each other.
Lucius often traveled to his home of origin in hills of Tennessee. He vowed when he crossed that rainbow bridge, he would ask for his ashes to be buried beside his parents graves. Abigail vowed her remains would be next to Lucius.
As he grew older, Lucius traveled less back to those green hills and good folks of the country. He pined for that world of innocence and land of beauty.
An independent cuss of a mockingbird named Elmer somehow sensed Lucius’s yearning for his home. He decided he should give Lucius something to give him a reminder of back home in Tennessee. He collected some seeds of irises, Tennessee’s state flower, and take them to the Tennessean in the Southwest corner.
The flight of 2400 miles was arduous, especially for a bird who is not ordinarily migratory, but Elmer was determined and stubborn, and he was dedicated to his quest. He finally arrived in the Southwest corner and found Lucius’ home. Elmer was in bad shape having gone on such a demanding traverse of the continent. Even though he recognized he was reaching his final moments, he dropped the iris seeds he carried into the side yard of Lucius’ home.
The seeds landed in the middle of day lilies Abigail had planted in the side yard. They prospered and soon dominated the day lily greenery and blossomed.
Lucius woke one morning and began his morning routine by putting away the dishes on the dish rack. He looked outside his kitchen window and saw Tennessee irises in full bloom. He cried with joy.
Elmer heard Lucius shed his tears. He smiled with joy before his last breath. He felt good about completing his mission. It was even more comforting to him knowing no one, not even Lucius, would know it was him. Elmer closed his eyes in peace.