welcome home lassie nessie

Illustration for an essay written by a young Scotswoman going to grad school in the American South. It contained this passage:

America has opened itself to me, as its old dream promises. For that I’m grateful, as I’m grateful to Scotland for folding my loved ones into its music.

I know above all things that the tune carries a refrain, if not the cry for freedom or unity, then a sustained note of welcome. The Atlantic can be the breath between verses. The lull before a song rejoins.

I heard the author saying that if you’re a Scot, you can go home again. You will always be welcome.

I did two other illustrations for the essay. You can see them in this post.