a philosophy of the Irish Soul

"Material wealth is the bases of right living".    Devalaria 

The Inner Man

They say when we grow older we can see the reflection in the mirroring of our parents teachings.My parents had wonderful teachings.I have benefited well from them.Some of the rules were foolish and overprotective but we have left most of them behind.I believe we refine the  myths in our own minds as we grow older,seeking some kindness from our own spirits ever flowing upstream as the past generation flows by continuously. One very strange behavior my mother had was when the selling travellers came to the door she would hide us and not let them into the house,it did not happen often as for the most part we were always living out as much as in in warm weather.I remember being hustled off to the bedroom and momma saying in a low whisper "lets be very very quiet until the person at the door goes away."
The teachings usually are taken on or discarded by the next generation depending on the nature of the world around them.They have not always been to our benefit,health and well being.
I love my parents they were "good folk", yet I remember times when I drifted away from their understandings into my own.I was always developing my own character and beliefs,somewhat sentimental and foolish to people of a greater persuasion and experience.
I grew up in a rural setting,a farm on its way to progressive ideals.I for some strange reason loved people, especially old ones.My grandparents lived with us till their deaths much like West Indians, there were not as many nursing homes and there was honor in taking care of your "OWN" we owned our own people.
My tale here today may seem insignificant to some but to me at the time it was a crossroads for me.I began to leave home in search of my own after this incident.I remember it well.I was 17 years old and it was coming upon Christmas time.My father was coming up into his late 40"s and was working very hard to maintain us a very well maintained lifestyle,rich in many material ways.My mother came from a very wealthy lifestyle.I was pondering as we sat in the livingroom one afternoon on what to buy Nana and Pappa for Christmas.My father said "Im putting money in an envelop for them", and my heart sank.I felt so sad, that they would not get a chosen gift from him." At the time I brushed it aside and yet in my deep inner mind I knew this was wrong for me.WRONG in that it was missing the point of Spirit and Spiritual renewal that Christmas has always stood for for me on so many levels.Healthy famalies grow up and move away, in thought and rituals.I love my dad but I do not do the same as he did nor think the way he did about the values I have nor my cultural rituals.
Is it the generation gap or did he just not GET it????I lost a connection to him that day, a lack of perception in my view of him shifted to a clarity in me.I did not agree then nor do I now, and so now when I see this I think of this time and how much I believe in Spiritual connection from one soul to another.I hope I can always get my friends a gift that says this is how I see you in some way.
Growing and expanding,loving and learning,growing and expanding,loving and learning.Through eternity.
Love ya dad thanks for the mirror.

her voice sounded like 

detox

During my forties I took a job in a detox centre with Canada Health and Welfare, over on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. This career took me to the West Indies later in my life.

Working as a counsellor and Reiki Practioner today with a bit more foresight and wisdom I can see how the trail has been allowing me to consolidate my gifts and abilities.

Humour is the greatest gift outside of vision, I have been cultivating in this lifetime. Many funny times were experienced there over my two years in service there.

One day four or five of us were having a smoke in the smoking room and talking about this and that.

There was myself, a very prominent singer’s wife from Newfoundland, she didn’t weigh 90 lbs soaking wet. I never in my days as a rehab counsellor saw a person shake with the tremors like she had the day before. It was as if she was in an electric shock for 12 hours.

An,elderly woman around 74 who’s doctor had her on velum for 14 years was slumped over at the table! One of the nurses Mary was there. We were both easy to talk to.

We told of baby deliveries, recipes, and finally the conversation turned to menopause.

The old woman very drowsily over in the corner with a cigarette sticking up out of her face says, “Huffy, menopause never affected me can’t say I had any problems there!”

In a flash the wit of the newfie girl flew a spuu of words that went something like this. ”Yeah yaw old fucker, ya probably got drunk and slept through it”!!

Well the whole room of women laughed for days on this one and the elderly woman felt acceptance on the spot. For this was the type of language she was accustomed to. It was very helpful for this elderly woman who desperatlry wanted to go home had found it very difficult to trust the medical comminuty after having such a tramatic experience with her last doctor.She then was able to last the five weeks in hospital and plan a solid follow-up for when she did return home.

 

 

Chilled Out

I was near 40 when we moved our family to the West Indies for a few years.Barbados was the perfect spot,no huge highways,overcrowded schools, out of order mall washrooms,and no one calling to suck you into a quick sale on goods or politics.I was in my peak in most areas of my life.
Days of breezes and sun on the beach,tea in a two piece suit with no high heels; or marketing stats.Sea sounds softly lulling me to sleep each night while my heart healed from years of feeling disconnected from the earth and my love for the earth..So long restful days and nights in quiet simplicity and solitude  my soul glorified in after 40 years of hustle and bustle here in North America.They were welcome times.
After a year of this I was happy to tag along after my partner on business trips to other islands.We went to the British Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda.We stayed in a lovely marina hotel.
My partner was out days, so I was left to my own devices.

It was during the O.J.Simpson trial and I never missed a chance to see him sweat.I wanted to curl up on the couch with a blanket, a bag of chips and watch T.V.It had ben awhile since I had felt cosy.Real kind of cosy only a Maritimer can relate to.
So I turned up the air-conditioner to high, went out for chips and bought a pair of socks,and grabbed a fluffy acrylic blanket off the shelf by the door.What that blanket was doing in a hotel, in a country, where the temperature never goes below 75 degrees Ive no idea!!! Im just glad it was there, and so  there my lover found me four hours later.Cosy as a bug in a rug!!!
"Why is it so cold in here?"...........you can imagine the rest.........lol lol

The Wedding

In my forties one of the young nieces was married in high style, and I was able to attend.It was a sweetest wedding ceremony Ive yet to see what with the ancient pagan tying of the wrist's intentions ceremony.
The bride wore Red the day was set within a fine sea breeze and bright yellow sunlight.Why, there were even cameras placed on our chairs FREE!!!The bride was wearing red.
Well we all had a right good time and and the drinks were not yet being served, as we were just lining up  for the reception line.I saw Christine out of the corner of my eye, and always liked to say hello to her.She had been Kay's neighbor since forever and her husband Laudy had driven the school bus for years, and years.I had met them many times.
Now, Christine prided herself on being well cared for, and looking smart.And, so she should, she was a stunning looking woman  always dressed well and pretty.He husband was a tease.So I do think his comment was directed towards her as well as me,in the fun of it all.
On this particular day I made my way through the crowd to her side, and saw this lovely Linen and chiffon soft sage green suit, then her."Where did you find this exquisite suit Christine?",I asked, and as quick as a tadpole's tale Laudy leans in and,  in his drawling Scottish brogue he pipes, "at the Co-Op". I chuckled so hard I almost fell over!!!!!
The co-op in the village of Inverness,was noted for hardware and stylish dish pans!!!!