Time is precious - taking stock and giving thanks for what we've got
Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 06:30 AM
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| Pirate enjoying Abbey Hill on the Burren with Galway Bay behind |
My sister in law’s mother died suddenly on Thursday. She was elderly, but just not the person you would expect to vanish so unexpectedly.
Peggy was part of the furniture. I thought the best compliment you could wish for came from her daughter. She said that whatever happened there was always someone there to say ‘it’s okay’. She has her own lovely family, but that was different and age 41 that unconditional security was gone and she knew what it felt like to be an orphan.
I was walking up Abbey hill in the Burren. The late summer flowers are carpeting the little pastures that separate the limestone flags. Ox eye daisies, eyebright, devils bit scabious, self heal; white, blue and purples predominating at this time of year. Just to get an hour up there in the late summer air, looking out over Galway bay, past Galway City Aran Islands is powerful medicine, and washed away the anxiety of my husband losing his job last week. But as the old saying goes ‘you can’t eat scenery.’
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Thoughts of moving or commuting to London
The cows are having their yearly test for TB today and the calves are fat and shiny and ready for the mart at the end of the month. Also the farm area aid payments come in October but with just 50 acres and only 9 calves that will only keep us afloat for a few weeks. The only company that seems to be recruiting in Galway is Boston Scientific, who make medical devices, and are one of the companies that benefit from Ireland’s low corporation tax of 12 ½ %.They have always been a great employer in this locality, but I imagine the stack of CVs is hitting the ceiling at this stage. Hopefully my husband’s is on top.
With Peggy in the ground it made me very grateful that I managed to spend so much time with my parents and my children over the Summer. When you are working full time you do not have the luxury of complaining about how many meals you have to cook for your relations, or that the kids are driving you insane (and they are at this stage) as you bump into them every time you turn around…that time is precious.
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marybermingham | Aug 30, 2011, 12:51 PM EDT
And thanks for the support jamie
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marybermingham | Aug 30, 2011, 12:32 PM EDT
Yes I am very lucky to still have both of mine, its hard to believe they will be gone some day. It puts the financial pressures in perspective.
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bunchesofun | Aug 30, 2011, 11:58 AM EDT
Having lost both parents in the span of 11 months I know the feeling well. In fact, at my dad's funeral, I turned to my older brother and stated "We're orphans now".
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jamieLM | Aug 30, 2011, 09:25 AM EDT
People tell me that it gives them a strange feeling when they realize that they're now the oldest generation when their parents pass away. It's rather shocking to realize that they no longer have the comfort, security, and wisdom of their parents to rely on. The loss of a job can certainly fuel full-scale panic. We're all living in such uncertain times where our lives can "turn on a dime." (Am. expression) My thoughts go out to you during this difficult time of decision-making.
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