Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde, and welcome to my report.
Another week on and we are still to the good, Buíochas le Dia. If there is anything good to say about this present crisis, it has to be the weather. As they say it is like the doctor ordered it. The whole world is in turmoil and new needs come on stream by the minute and new methods have to be found to try and meet them. For instance test centres. They are popping up all over the place, in football pitches and other open areas. The mild weather is playing it’s part. If we were getting wind and rain the temporary structures wouldn’t stand up to the pressure of elements and the important work of testing could not be held in such large numbers and by all accounts early detection is vital.
It is regrettable that we still have some people who haven’t grasped the importance of isolation and personal cleansing. You’d wish they would spare a thought for all our doctors, nurses, medical staff and volunteers who put their own lives in danger to save the rest of us. My heart goes out to them and to our medical people who are working abroad and can’t ignore the call of home and come to help. They surely must be inspired by some super power that motivates them to turn a blind eye on their own safety to look after others. The whole world is in their debt. At local level we are still trying to get used to the life-changing situation that we have found ourselves in. But we are getting there. Did we ever think that we would confine ourselves to a space of four feet in every direction. St. Patrick’s Day was different from anything that we have ever seen before. But to keep the custom alive in our hearts, families, who had no public parade to dress up for or watch, held their own ritual at home. Thanks to modern media the little home-made parades were whisked off to family and friends, on line where they could be watched over and over. Tri-colours were hung out and shamrock worn with pride. Letting the world know, ‘that we shall overcome’.
The Holy Season of Lent is moving on and nobody seems to notice it, every mind is taken up with Corona Virus.( Easter Sunday is April 12th is looming fast.) How to cope, how to avoid getting it and how to learn all the things that we have to do to stay safe. By and large we are doing well and we must keep up the momentum. Needless to say there is an upsurge in the number of those turning to prayer. Daily Masses etc, online are great. So much thanks goes to our Canon John for his daily Masses and to Sean Radley for putting them in line. The crowds at St. John’s Well and Tubrid are like never before. Sometimes you’d wish that God would show himself to us in a more visual way, it might be easier to pray. But he has his ways and we have ours and we all deal with that side of our lives in our own way. Once in a while we get a bit of an extra push that tells us that well there is ‘Something’ beyond us in the Great Up There. Some years ago one of my grandsons who was about fifteen at the time thought that he would help out his parents and burn the rubbish. Those were the times when you could put it all in a heap and reduce it to ashes with the flick of a match. Sometimes it took more than the match. A drop of some inflammable liquid was the answer. So he searched for the likes and finding a five gallon drum full he brought it along and spilled over the large heap and cracked the match It exploded in his face. A huge ball of fire hit him straight on, the can was full of petrol and not diesel, as he had thought. He was on fire and his little sister and a cousin rolled him in the grass , quenched his burning clothes and sent for the doctor. He was taken by ambulance to Cork accompanied by his parents. I didn’t get to see him until next day. Worried to bits I approached his hospital bed expecting to find his charred little body. But to my surprise he didn’t look too bad. Like someone with bad sunburn. I put my hand to the collar of his T-shirt and pulled it down a little. He wasn’t affected below it. I said how is it that you are not burned down below you collar, your clothes were all on fire and cool as could be he said, ‘Nana, that’s where the Miraculous Medal was.’ It was always hidden inside his shirt, but when it was needed, the Miraculous Medal made it’s presence felt. He made a full recovery. Yes, I believe, there is ‘Something.’
The seasonal weather is ideal for working in the garden. It’s the time for planting and cutting the grass, filling the air with a beautiful smell. Later on this year, when Corona Virus is out of our lives, we can enjoy lovely flowers and look back on how we all worked together and with God , to rid the world of the 2020 Plague.
Michael Guerin acquitted himself very well on the Irish Pickers Program on RTE, and the two little ladies at Kilbrittan Castle were very endearing in the historic setting. Well done Michael.
The Aubane people are never short of a good idea. On Saturday next March 28th they are hosting a car treasury hunt. With isolation in mind they have a contest which can be done from within your car. Starting and ending from their Social Center on Saturday at 5 pm. Admission €10 per car. Proceeds will go to Air Ambulance Fund. ICRR. Please give them your best support. For details contact Don 0872285570
The current issue of Discover Duhallow is a must for all those interested in the History of Millstreet. One page is devoted entirely to give the list of all the important people both political and trades who were in business in 1914. A second page on the subject will be included in the April issue. Don’t miss it. It’s free and is available in shops and stores in many towns.
An Idea on our website may be worth taking up. It say it’s a good time to make a time capsule. Get a sturdy container and put some of today’s artifacts into it. Family photos, and many other pieces that would stand the test of time, perhaps fifty years on.
Be careful, be happy, and greet everybody,(at a distance), with a smile, it could make their day.
Agus sinn a bhfuil a chairde, slán is beannacht Dé libh go léir.
