My beautiful Aidan...as I take your hand, and we walk through the garden of life, may I be ever open to seeing the world through your eyes...full of innocent wonder, delight and joy. As you take my hand, and we walk through the garden of life, may you be ever open to seeing the world through my eyes...full of gratitude, wisdom and peace. May we be blessed on our 'ramblings' together. Love, Nana

Showing posts with label Guinness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guinness. Show all posts

Monday, May 23, 2011

Top o' the Mornin' Mr. O'Bama

Just catching up on today's news, and I see President O'Bama paid a visit to dear old Ireland today!  Even managed to down a pint of Guinness!  So, in honour of his visit, I thought I'd share a few (pre-election) photos I had stashed away...

O'Bama Baby Aidan
Like a lot of people around the world, I too got swept up with 'Obama fever' and got a little creative with the fabric paints!  I thought it would be fun to paint shirts for Aidan and Emmet, (OK...all the 'nanas' got one too!) with a little touch of Ireland to boot,  hence the O'Bama and the shamrocks!  Who knew the man himself would turn out to have Irish ancestors! 

My daughter Erin, my Irish mother Bridie, my sister 'Nana Carol' and O'Bama Babies-Aidan and Emmet
The election of Obama was a historic time, not just for America, but for the rest of the world.  People's spirits were lifted, and their hearts filled with much needed hope for the future.  While the shirts were all for fun, I also wanted the boys to have something to look back on for that time in their lives...to say 'we were there' (sort of!)  It was a time to dare to hope for a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.  That it is possible.  I still believe it is.  So, Cead Mile Faite, Mr. O'Bama...a hundred thousand welcomes!  Hope the Craic was good, and the Guinness warm!


Thursday, March 17, 2011

Top o' the Mornin'

A Happy St. Patrick's Day to you, my little grandson!  My Irish wish for you today:

May flowers always line your path,
and sunshine light your day.
May songbirds serenade you,
every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you,
in a sky that's always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart,
each day, your whole life through.

It's a great day for the Irish!
It was my English Nana who was such a presence in my childhood, yet I did have another 'Nana'.  My mother's mother.  My Irish 'granny'.  I may have grown up in England, but my happiest memories are of the times I spent in Ireland.  For each of my six week long summer holidays my parents would send me to Ireland to stay with my grandparents and visit my family.  Ahhhh...the warm baps my 'Granda' would fetch home from the bakery every morning.  Lathered in Irish butter, they were all I wanted for breakfast.  And my Granny's soups...served with a heaping bowl of boiled potatoes.  And oh...the hot, sweet tea!  Auntie's and Uncle's and cousins galore, who opened their hearts and homes to me.  Such wonderful memories!  

I want Aidan to know of his Irish family.  They are in his blood, and in my heart.  For now...I sing to him the songs of Ireland.  Just the happy ones!  (Yes, there are a few!)  His favourite song is called "Paddy McGinty"...

Paddy McGinty had a rubber doll!
He washed it and dried it...
and then he let it fall!
He sent for the doctor,
but the doctor wouldn't come...
because he had a pimple
on his wee bare bum!

Indeed, the words are not very upliftin' but they come with a lovely wee tune...and the feminist in me loves that wee Paddy would even have a doll at all, rubber or otherwise...and I'm hopin' and prayin' he didn't drop it on purpose...and I'm still trying to figure out who it is has the pimple on their wee bare bum...Paddy? the rubber doll? or the doctor?

Top o' the Mornin'
All this thinkin' calls for a we drop of Guinness (or two..or three!)  Cheers!