"My Sister"

 

~ My sister's first name is Sharon. She is eleven months older, than myself.  We are of Irish Decent. We are Irish Twins.  We look very little alike, but are voices are similar.  So much so, when we were younger, people could not tell us apart, on the telephone.  That always amused me, because I could not find the similarity, until later in life.

My sister is ill with cancer.  This does not amuse me.  I only know that I want her to be well, again.

I am unsure as to the road this illness will take her, as it has been filled with  many twists and turns.  She has navigated the course, with courage, grace, and tremendous strength of Spirit.  I would like to say, I have done the same. Yet, this would be dishonest, as I have not.

Cancer is like many other chronic illnesses.  It can strip you bare.  It spins a wide web, and captures so much in its grasp.  Not unlike a web, it is often difficult to distinguish what it will take, until it has captured what it can snare; so secretly, and quietly.
~ I love my sister.  I hate the disease. Yet, the disease continues to live inside her body.  Each day it is  perhaps taking a little more of her...

~ I will always love my Sister; my Irish Twin!  

Alicia O'Hara

Copyrighted Material;

9 November, 2011

                                                                     ~ Beannaichte'

beannaichte@twitter.com

"Letting Go"

~ The Autumn Season makes it clear to me, as no other, the need for`letting go'. 
The trees speak this language, as they drop their leaves.  So beautiful , in all their rich autumnal colours, eventually  making their descent to the earth, below.  They do not hold on,  as it is  time to let go.


The flowers that have graced us with their parade of colours, have let go of their  blossoms, to rest until their next seasons, as to gift us once, again. 

Even the sky takes on a different cast, as if saying goodbye to the bright azure blues, we have known 
in earlier months.

The birds are flocking, as they prepare for their long journey to a distant, warmer, climate. This is perhaps one of my favourite sights, of the Season. It is truly a thing of beauty. It is also one of the saddest, as I watch them disappear into the gray sky, of Autumn. I am amazed by their ability to follow their course, so swiftly and steadily.  I am equally saddened to know the perils that lay ahead of them.

Perhaps, this is a Season that can lead us into a deeper understanding of ` letting go'. Its necessity, its process, and  purpose, in the rhythm  of all aspects of life. 


Unlike the human condition, Nature is not prone to sentimentality, other emotions, or mindsets. It is practical, and follows a path. If that path is altered, it will usually readjust, as to follow its own natural course. There is no questioning or analyzing, only a definiteness of purpose.

Nature is honest. It speaks the truth of its circumstances, whether we like it or not. No matter.

Nature is guided by hope. A hope that for everything that must diminish, something new will take its place...

In my years, it has been difficult for me to understand , and accept, the language of `letting go'. Now, I realize it is a necessary part of the Journey.~ A path that is not misguided, as I once believed , but one that is traveled with a definitive Hope... 

Alicia O'Hara

Copyrighted Material;

8 November, 2011

                                                                                                      ~ Beannaichte' 
                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                       
~ When I began my blog, in October of this year, this post would become the most viewed, of  my entries.
 I think that is perhaps because its content is relevant. I enjoyed the opportunity to write and share it, with each one of you.
Perhaps, it is equally relevant as we near the closing of yet, another year...
I  hope you will enjoy it, as we continue in the Journey, together...  Thank you!

Warm Regards,
Alicia O'Hara 

30 December, 2011

"Desiderata"

 Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
 and remember what  peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; 

 they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the Spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be 

greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements

as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing 

fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is, many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere Life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection, neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment 

it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of Spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the Universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
You have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to You,
no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should. 

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace with your Soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
 

Be careful.

Strive to be happy.

                          ~Max Ehrmann



~Beannaichte'
6 November, 2011

beannaichte@twitter.com

"Anam Cara Poem"

I pictured you 
like this ~

There is something in your eyes,

Some quality in your speech.

That puts me in the mind, of another time.

Long ago, you were out of reach...

I can't say where or how,
 but I have known you for long, long, time.

Do you remember me? Am I familiar, too?

I have looked for you, each place I've been...

My Soul has searched for you, from a distant place in time.

My Heart goes out to you, like a magnet strikes to iron.

I can no more ignore the force, than a moth drawn to a fire.

~ An empty space was left inside my Heart,

And caused an ache, that would not cease, 

until I found the missing Part.

One day, if I disappear,

And I am gone for good.

Remember, when I was here, and we both understood.

And if you go away ~

If we are far apart...

I'll keep you safe and warm,

in a secret corner of my Heart.

Until we meet again, in another place in time.

Then, I hope you will not forget,

You are a Friend of Mine. 
                                                          ~ Unknown

                                     ~ To My Forever Friends...

~ Beannaichte'
6 November,2011 

                    ~Beannaichte'

                                   

                                                                                                        

beannaichte@twitter.com

            

"Black Elk's Prayer on Harney Peak"

Grandfather, Great Mysterious One, you have been always,

and before you, nothing has been.

There is nothing to pray to, but you.

The star nations all over the Universe are yours,

and yours are the grasses of the earth.

Day in, day out, you are the life of things.

You are older than all need, older than all pain and prayer.

Grandfather, all over the world, the faces

of living ones are alike.

In tenderness they have come up out of the ground.

Look upon your children, with children in their arms,

that they may face the winds and walk the Good Road

to the Day of Quiet.

Teach me to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that live.

Sweeten my heart, and fill me with light. Give me the

strength to understand, and the eyes to see.

Help me, for without you, I am nothing.

~ By John Neihardt 

~ Beannaichte'
5 November, 2011

 

beannaichte@twitter.com

"Anger"

Anger

is

Just

one

Letter 

short

of

Danger.

~ Unknown


~ Beannaichte'
3 November, 2011

beannaichte@twitter.com

                                                               

"Irish Proverb"

~ It is in 

the shelter

of each other

that the people live.

~ Irish Proverb

                                 ~ Unknown...       

                                                                   

~ Beannaichte'
2 November, 2011