Ireland’s recession is bringing people closer together

Before I left for New York six years ago I would have purchased a few tops for my trip to the Big Apple. On average I paid ***10 per top.

Today when I go into Penny’s I will be able to purchase three tops for ****10. As a result of their cost cutting measures, Penny’s are expanding and are one of the few stores benefiting from the recession.

Not everyone thinks the recession in Ireland is a bad thing. Speaking to the priest who officiated my grandmother’s funeral last week, he informed me over lunch that Saturday night and Sunday morning Mass are bringing people in their droves.

“This happens in times of recession. People turn to God and rightly so. People need hope and faith and where else can they get that only from the loving Lord,” he said. I guess he is right.

I too kind of agree with him. And of course it’s easy for me to say this as I don’t live in Ireland anymore, but I feel the recession has brought people together.

Friends and family depend on each other more, thus they have more interaction and relationships are deepened. Friendships are developed, and despite the ongoing murmurs of pay cuts and people loosing their jobs.

Irish people -- well, Kerry people anyway -- are more aware of each other’s needs and are there for each other. It warms my heart to see this.

At the end of the day it’s family that counts. The recession has brought people closer to each other, and after all, isn’t it the relationships we share with our family and friends the most important thing in this life?

Well, at least I think so.    

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Nster.com