While we all complain about our pet hates, those of us living in Ireland have an incredibly good life. We are lucky or blessed depending on your beliefs. Having lived through the dying throes of a long standing conflict, we now have peace and compromise. We have learned some things about inclusion and difference. Women are on the path of their liberation. Children are beginning to find their voices and their rights.
It’s all fairly fledgling stuff, but compared to the lives of others, it is almost proper civilisation.
It’s kind of disturbing and unsettling to suddenly be living in a world where for once Ireland is a country of privilege. And yet at the same time the memory of longing for something better lurks in our mindset. It feels familiar. Is still a part of us.
I am grounded here now. No longer drawn by what might be considered “a better life”. There could be no better life could there? Certainly not in Brexit territory or Trump Land? We could do with a bit more heat. But everywhere, even the warmest and sunniest climate has a down side. “The divil you know is better than the divil you don’t” as they say.
I can still imagine my way into the heart of a parent fleeing a war torn country for a better life. Just about anywhere would be an improvement on where she is. The long march through Europe. The need to protect children and encourage old people to move forward. To leave behind all they have known. It’s what we have done for generations. Sure, I could have stayed in London or New York but now maybe I’m happier than ever that I’m here. And even then we were only looking for something more, not fleeing for our lives.
I don’t have that sense of urgency now. No, I am relaxing into the the safety of rural Ireland, where in spite of threatened wars and destruction there is peace and quiet. Simplicity and harmony. This luxury is dawning on me, we have it pretty soft. Safety is not now dull as ditch water, but more a luxurious state of normality that many people aspire to.
Nothing is perfect. I could rant about that too. The losses, the incompetence, the inequalities. But for once in Ireland we have a bit of ease compared with others. I try to remember that everyday. To be thankful for a simple life of routines.
There is beauty in imperfection, ordinariness, brokenness even. But safety in the broadest sense has to be the ultimate prize. Isn’t it all that we need to thrive…..
Oh my goodness – these photos are gorgeous. So bright and colorful.
Spring has sprung!!!
Wonderful pictures. Spring is such a wonderful season.
O it’s fabulous Astrid. I hope you two are getting out and about in the tulips x
ah lovely Catherine… great reminder of what we have on our doorstep!
Sure we are so lucky at this time of the year. My sister in Sweden has snow today!!! Lap it up Molly x
A beautiful text. And the beauty of spring around us! Thank you dear Catherine.
Thank you Amelie! I know you are revelling in the beauty of Spring too x
What beautiful words and images to remind us all that what we have is pretty darn good! And here in Arizona it’s THE most beautiful time of the year when the entire desert is a gorgeous yellow! (But I must say…what I’ve done is reduce the amount of news that I read/listen to here in Trumpland and that helps tremendously!)
Haha! Reducing the Trumpland noise would really help! Must say I would love to see your desert at this time of the year. We seem to often say this to each other but yes, we have it pretty darn good x
I live in Texas, and I’m happy in the life we’ve created. We are not tossed about by every storm that brews or threatens. How we react to events affects every aspect of our daily life. Hope becomes Faith and all else is chaff. I’ve learned how to bow before the wind and stand firm in the face of bluff and bluster. What a wonderful world. This is Trumpland for those who believe in the wizard more than they believe in themselves.
Your photographs are so beautiful. Thank you.
O thank you so much. How wonderful to hear your voice all the way from Texas. I liked that “how we react affects every aspect of our daily life.”
Beautiful nod to spring in your part of the world. Your thoughts also struck a familiar cord with me as well.
Thanks Catherine!
It’s good to hear that so many of us are on the same page. Appreciating our simple safe lives. Lucky and blessed x
We are beyond fortunate, especially down this neck of the woods. xx
Yes Jean, our best kept secret world!! x
Proper civilization, I love that thought. Thanks for the reminder to appreciate. I feel similarly about being back in Canada. Lovely spring photos too.
How important it is to remember the safe spots in the world. I have been so impressed by Canada’s response to those who have had to leave their lands. Enjoy your Spring!
was talking to a Canadian this morning as we both enjoyed our South African sunshine and walking on the beach.
For me our happy same old same old, for him all fresh and new.
I bet it was great to see it all through his eyes. I love to imagine you both lapping up our beautiful world!!
I love how lovingly you talk about rural Ireland. I’m a city girl and have enjoyed with gratitude my time in rural Ireland when I have had the chance. A road trip to Tipperary, a weekend in Wexford. I haven’t spent as much time in rural Ireland as I’d like to but I love the parts of the country that I have seen. Yes we could use more sunshine but I love nothing better than listening to the rain hit my rooftop or watching the clouds pass over the Wicklow mountains behind my house. This post has reminded me how beautiful or all is. And also I love the pictures, so calm and peaceful
Thank you so much Ama!