Only in Ireland........................

I do not need to beat around the bush with this one. I am not very religious. I am not sure why exactly as I was raised Catholic, but my lack of faith is sometimes all consuming.

Some very close friends of our lost a full term baby a week ago. They have immense faith and I suppose because of this they have the strength to carry on and deal with this tragic event.

Although it is an unimaginable pain to have to deliver a dead baby into this world, they were permitted to be with their little angel for a little over a week - to grieve.

Yesterday, they returned to the hospital to bring their baby home where we all gathered to have a little 'Wake' and say our brief hello and tearful goodbyes.

(An Irish WAKE: A very old tradition of celebrating the life of the deceased with the body in their own home. Typically lots of food, storytelling, laughter, tears and a little drinkies too).

I was sick to my stomach all morning and tried to conjure up every reason in the world not to go, because I just did not feel strong enough to get through the afternoon. I was certain that I would not attend the Bedtime Funeral Mass for this little baby. (unimaginably selfish of me, I know).

After giving myself a good talking to, I went to their home a little early armed with some food and 'take charge' skills. For me, taking care of people comes easy. Maybe it was my training as a wedding planner, or owning our own restaurant. Something so small brought comfort to my friends. I would feed them and wash dishes for them from here to eternity if I thought it would ease their pain. Later and tearfully I managed to say my little poem at the church for my friends.

This is no time to be selfish.

Sophie

Little Baby Sophie
Sleeping and at peace.
Blessed little daughter
And most adoring niece.

We lit most every candle
In Ireland that we found,
To light your way to heaven
Now that you are homeward bound.

Little Baby Sophie
You’ve never been so cherished.
Mum and Dad, are so very sad
Hearts heavy, bereft with anguish.

Little Baby Sophie
Sleeping and at peace
Loving little daughter
Treasured little niece.

26th November 2009
May she rest in peace

That is all the WiseWords I have for today,

WiseMóna

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Baby you can drive my car or write in it?

A Galway resident and Mayo native, Geraldine Mills stopped by our classroom this week to give us her advice on living the life of a writer in Ireland today.

Geraldine became an observer at a young age. Collecting voices,words and speech patterns as a child has resulted in a plethora of material for her to pull from now that she is growing increasingly famous in the Irish (and American) writing field. She has just returned from a weeks teaching at the University of Connecticut.
Geraldine was educated in the field of Science and although she carried a passion for reading and writing, she made a very conscious decision to put her family first whilst her children were young and they were living in Dublin.

It was during this time that Geraldine enrolled in a few creative writing courses with Pat McCabe (former writer in residence at NUIG) and she was hooked. As she still ahd children to taxi to and from school, horse riding lessons etc. she began writing in her car. The fact that she spent so much time in her car driving her children to and from their activities ensured that she would write every day and boy did it pay off. She is quite credited in Ireland with a long list of competition prizes and publications under her belt!

Although not entirely surviving on the income generated from her publications, she works two days a week with Aids West and this keeps her feet on the ground and the bills paid.

Geraldine invited us to the launch of her third book of poetry, launched at the Galway Library but wouldn't you know I had a lot of homework to do!

What I liked most about the message Geraldine delivered to our class was the following:

'If it is the most important thing to do - then KEEP DOING it!'

That is all the WiseWords I have for today,

WiseMóna