Lilies of the Fields...

There's a magical place about a half hour drive from here...

Down Kangaroo Road, to Happy Valley Rd (sounds pretty good already?)...

Take a right on Metchosin, just past the country store...

Next to the garage...

...sits the most beautiful little church.

St Mary the Virgin.

Not only is this a pretty little churchyard, rimmed with a white picket fence, 

but something special happens on it's grounds this time of year...

  The dog tooth violets come out in all their glory!

Just about every inch of the 2 acres is covered in these little 'Easter lilies'.

One of our most delicate native wild flowers.

This church was established in 1873 with 2 acres of land which was donated by John Witty.

He was the first pioneer buried here.

Many local frontiers people are laid to rest amongst the lilies...

Their worn and faded headstones, scattered between the flowers...

Some names look familiar...

Sharing namesakes with the rich and famous.

Others are only names on simple crosses...

It's such a peaceful place to spend some time, questioning history, contemplating...

Communing with the cows...

Watching spring, finally bursting forth...

In a week or so, these flowers will have started to fade, giving way to summer meadow grass.

But for 2 fine weeks around Easter, we are treated to witness a lovely little miracle of spring.

Rejoice!