Dearest Edith of Downton Abbey

Edith played her hand incorrectly, yet how could we have expected more

from her?  In matters of the heart, Edith has never come close to winning.

She has been the overlooked sister.  Mary, the eldest and prettiest and

most self assured, trampled over Edith at every opportunity.  Sybil, who
died far too soon, was the rebel, the standout, the girl who followed
her own drummer.  Edith was hard pressed to compete with her two
strong willed sisters and chose to silently slip into her family role
as the overlooked one.

When Edith met Bertie, she came face to face with the one person who
did not compare her to either Mary or Sybil.  He saw something in Edith
that no one else took the time to see.  Bertie the compassionate man.  He was
looking for a complement to his character and a partner in life.  There
was no talk of position or money or stature, just happiness, family,
a content country life.

Bertie was searching and he found his treasure in Edith.  He would
happily work side by side with her.  There were no games, no
pretenses, just a growing fondness that would evolve into love.
The kind of love that would last a lifetime through the trials and
joys that time brings.   All the potential for a perfect union.

Yes, there was Edith's secret.  Her Marigold, her beloved child.  We all
kept shouting ~ Tell Bertie, tell him now.  He will understand!

But poor, dear Edith expected the worst because that was what she
was accustomed to receiving.  She is like the girl who won't take the
last piece of pie because she is sure that someone deserves it more
than she does.  My heart just breaks for her.   She is not aware of
how truly special she is and allows happiness to slip away because
that has become her position in life.

Yet despite her heartache, she is capable of forgiveness and loving and
compassion.  She returns to Downton and attends the wedding of her
self-centered and compassionless sister Mary.  She extends a hand in
friendship and sisterhood that few would duplicate after being stabbed in
the back by her own sister.

Her sister Mary, looking quite amazed and speechless at Edith's
open hearted terms of endearment.

Beauty fades.  Nasty and heartless comments forever bruise
tender hearts.  It is goodness and compassion that live on through
the years and are most often remembered and cherished.

I am hoping that Edith will triumph.  Not a triumph over Mary,
because in my mind she already has.  Rather, I hope that it is
Edith who blazes a fresh trail in this new evolving world she
is stepping into.  Mary is the old guard, but Edith is the future.
I hope that she takes the publishing world by storm and
experiences true success for the first time in her life.
Edith and her Marigold traveling together through the gates
of Downton Abbey into a new world of their making.  It
would be romantic if Bertie were to join them, yet even
if he does not, they are going to be okay.

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley