I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or a few words needing to be said.
With my Mothers 92nd birthday this year and all her children in their sixties, yes I said sixties not sexy. A little voice in my head kept saying. What if there isn't “Anymore”
It has been three years since my last visit to my homeland! read “A Trip Down Memory lane” If you enjoyed that you could also read “Margaret’s Trip Home”
With this little voice in my head still talking to me, I called my sister Angela and within minutes a trip was in the making. Since I am a deaf person I need a guardian angel on trips like this, and Angela is the best guardian angel a sister could ask for… Thank you Angela.
With my mother living In Ireland, a sister in Ireland, a sister in England, a brother in England, and a sister living in the USA we had lots of plans to make. In a short time we had a plan in place. This trip would be about spending time with my mother, sisters, and brother. Thanks to our spouses who stayed home to help us make what might be the last Friel reunion come true.
My sister Angela and I are ready to go to the airport.
Nine hours later we were welcomed at my sister home in England!
So the party begins for two short weeks! Around the table we enjoyed singing, dancing, and an old Irish favorite story telling. We all took our turns taking care of my mother a treat for us all.
Happy 92nd birthday mother!
Even thought it rained every day we were there, that did not stop my sister Angela and I from sneaking out of the house every morning, to walk in the rain. For two hours we would enjoy the beautiful landscape of Goorey and breath in that sea air just outside our front door.
One afternoon in spite of the wind and rain “while our mother was taking a nap” we took a trip down memory lane to the old farm yard where we all worked and played so many years ago. Leading the way was my brother.
He was carrying a broken umbrella. While umbrellas in Ireland are as common as their potatoes, a broken one made no sense to me. But then it was my brother carrying it?
We enjoyed finding the old potato digger that we all worked behind gathering potatoes. “Those were the days”
My sister Angela said since she was the one that gathered the most potatoes in those days, she was the most eligible one to have her picture take on the digger. Ok.. something's in life never change, I am not going to argue with my guardian Angel since I still have to get back to the USA.
After a few great hours exploring the old farm yard and sharing memories together, my brother finally helped me understand the use of the broken umbrella!
The Thatch roof homes of Ireland!
As I stand by the little sign that says Friel’s cottage! that little voice in my head was saying to me.
What if there isn't “Anymore”
As I got in the car to start that long journey back to my Family in the USA. My thoughts went back in time to around 24 years ago.
It was one of my first visit back home after I had emigrated to the USA. I was walking down the lane to catch the bus to return to the USA. “No cars in those days”
With tears in my eyes and on my cheeks, I looked back up the lane to see my father just standing there looking. Was that little voice in his head saying what if there isn't “Anymore” or was it his way of saying I love you. I did not look long. I took this picture, a memory that will stay with me forever and walked on.
The last time I saw my father in body!
This trip 2010, I took the same picture, without even knowing, it was the same picture. My Father is not there in body but I could still see him standing there saying I love you in his own way!
My sister Frances closes the gate for the last time on this great trip! “But not it’s Memories”
Just in case I am gone tomorrow!
I Love Ya!!
Live today because tomorrow is not promised.
