What a sweet offering Eric! I hit play and let the rainbows lead. Now, breathing more deeply, I will go through the rest of the day with you and your daughter’s perfectly harmonized voices lingering in my mind. Looks like a marvelous adventure. Dave and I visited Ireland over Christmas years ago and upon arrival, the innkeeper, while checking us in, looked at Dave’s ID (last name McLaughlin) and then extended a warm hand with a “Welcome home David.”
absolutely beautiful post. happy st paddy's day. may it bring luck, rainbows and new beginnings. Loved the song. Thank you for the mention. <3 Been connecting deeply with irish culture and friends so much. Such wonderful poetic souls that also don't take any of it too seriously. a hearty laugh and a facing death and life as it is.
Thanks Megan same to you. Totally agree re: Irish culture. There’s a humorous poetic warmth there that doesn’t shirk mortality. Obv a generalization as everyone’s got their issues, but when I was over there it felt like a culture emerging from its traumatized past. Several folks even commented things like “people don’t know it because our wit and humor, but we’re depressed as a people. For a long while. And we’re just now getting some confidence back after centuries of shame”
You are right on the money with endings and beginnings accelerating this year. I feel like Major Tom strapped into his spaceship as the countdown commences. Also, I just listened to your and your daughter's beautiful rendition of The Parting Glass. I'm not crying, you're crying! 😭😁💖 Also, posting this at 11:11am my time now. ✨
What has no beginning or ending? A great question. Bilbo Baggins might have asked Gollum in his cave , playing the game of riddles. No doubt, he would have stumped him. We all know that Rainbows are formed when sunlight passes through water droplets, and that in itself is magical. When I was a child, my dad would take a seat in his big ole chair ,motion me over with a pat on his legs, and I would fly across the room and hop up on his lap. He would sing the first lines of Daddy’s Little Girl, (You're the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold, you're daddy's little girl to have and hold…” ) with a voice that made heads turn and a whistle that rivaled a bird’s song. I thought he made up the song, just for me. As for my mom, rainbows only meant one thing;
“ look how beautiful …” she would say, while pointing …”make a wish, it’s good luck” . And I did. So rainbows? Always a good omen and beautiful memories that will last my lifetime, and possibly beyond. And in answer to your question, ultimately, there is no doubt, in that moment, it begins and ends with ‘her’.
Please tell L , you both poured your hearts into the song, and like a rainbow, somewhere along its path, it was beautifully delivered.
Trip of a lifetime. With photographs to prove it. Your family , surrounded by Rainbows, can only mean one thing.🌈😊♥️😊♥️😊♥️😊🍀♾️
Hi Lor long time no see! Have missed you.:. but that’s on me; have slowed down my posting pace a bit while life has sent me in multiple directions. I love the Lord of the Rings reference; from what i read, Tolkien based much of middle Earth and the languages he invented on Ireland.
Yes L is growing up exponentially faster it seems… doing my best reminding myself to slow down and treasure the moments while I am still in them. She has entered teenagerhood loudly and confidently and challengingly. 😝
Your emoji game is very strong these days. The line of symbolism has no beginning, nor end.
What a nice thing to say, I know what you mean, I’ve missed you too. Glad you’re out there enjoying life. Shouldn’t even think about not writing often enough. One of the great things about your writing , your music, is when you do show up, you show up big. So much more important than putting something out there because ‘I have to’. And truthfully, what fun is that. The photo of L facing the mountains , describes who she is , and who she might become. Look out dad , she is on her way, her journey is just starting. But who am I to profess any knowledge of raising a child, other than the fact that I was one, and kind of still am. For reasons beyond our control (health) we do not have children. I think we would have been great parents. We suffered childhood tantrums and adolescent defiance with our friend’s kids. Luckily, we could leave and go home. Could be the reason l never grew up. I focused so much on your rainbows, and the stories and memories they brought forward, I really didn’t say enough about your duet. You are both sounding incredible together. I hope L never grows away from your musical connection, seems impossible. The notes and harmonies, the music, the glue that reinforces a beautiful bond. Ok, off to the mountains while winter is still laying it’s claim. Someone has to go play, may as well be me. See you next time!
Thank you for sharing those parts of your story. Of course you would be great parents.
That’s something I’ve been contemplating lately — quality relative to quantity, and the way you phrase it “showing up big” when it is indeed time to show up. I appreciate you phrasing it like that because, well, it makes me feel good. :) Sometimes wanting to show up big is an excuse to never show up at all, because quality comes from continuous quantity/practice. the truth on this one is that I just got Lucky. 🍀
If there is another place in the world as evocative of emotion as Ireland I have yet to visit it Eric. You have it all gathered up here, between sky and land and rainbows and a song I have never forgotten sung with both of your voices singing in such heavenly harmony. I feel a touch, no more, a great longing to visit again... Thank you for sharing. ☘️
Thank you Susie! Thought of you while there; the second portion of the trip l don’t think we were too far from your old Irish hill. The 1% Irish ancestry I have agrees 100% with everything you say…
What a sweet offering Eric! I hit play and let the rainbows lead. Now, breathing more deeply, I will go through the rest of the day with you and your daughter’s perfectly harmonized voices lingering in my mind. Looks like a marvelous adventure. Dave and I visited Ireland over Christmas years ago and upon arrival, the innkeeper, while checking us in, looked at Dave’s ID (last name McLaughlin) and then extended a warm hand with a “Welcome home David.”
Thankya Kim! That's cool to hear, since I haven't exactly felt 'sweet' lately. 😆
"Welcome home David" --- ahhh that's classic Irish. Just love the warmth and wit.
Christmas in Ireland must have been unique - what part of the country were you guys visiting?
This was perfect to wrap up my day, thanks! ✌️
🤘🤘 Thanks Rob
absolutely beautiful post. happy st paddy's day. may it bring luck, rainbows and new beginnings. Loved the song. Thank you for the mention. <3 Been connecting deeply with irish culture and friends so much. Such wonderful poetic souls that also don't take any of it too seriously. a hearty laugh and a facing death and life as it is.
Thanks Megan same to you. Totally agree re: Irish culture. There’s a humorous poetic warmth there that doesn’t shirk mortality. Obv a generalization as everyone’s got their issues, but when I was over there it felt like a culture emerging from its traumatized past. Several folks even commented things like “people don’t know it because our wit and humor, but we’re depressed as a people. For a long while. And we’re just now getting some confidence back after centuries of shame”
You are right on the money with endings and beginnings accelerating this year. I feel like Major Tom strapped into his spaceship as the countdown commences. Also, I just listened to your and your daughter's beautiful rendition of The Parting Glass. I'm not crying, you're crying! 😭😁💖 Also, posting this at 11:11am my time now. ✨
‘Planet Earth is blue, and there’s nothing I can do’
Yes, there is a lot of emotion packed in there. 😁
Wow, you and your daughter sang this so beautifully. It seemed so professionally sung. Beautiful voices. I sing like a cow on crack lol.
lol at that imagined sound 😆 thanks so much for the compliment — have worked hard on the improving the quality of my music production.
What has no beginning or ending? A great question. Bilbo Baggins might have asked Gollum in his cave , playing the game of riddles. No doubt, he would have stumped him. We all know that Rainbows are formed when sunlight passes through water droplets, and that in itself is magical. When I was a child, my dad would take a seat in his big ole chair ,motion me over with a pat on his legs, and I would fly across the room and hop up on his lap. He would sing the first lines of Daddy’s Little Girl, (You're the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold, you're daddy's little girl to have and hold…” ) with a voice that made heads turn and a whistle that rivaled a bird’s song. I thought he made up the song, just for me. As for my mom, rainbows only meant one thing;
“ look how beautiful …” she would say, while pointing …”make a wish, it’s good luck” . And I did. So rainbows? Always a good omen and beautiful memories that will last my lifetime, and possibly beyond. And in answer to your question, ultimately, there is no doubt, in that moment, it begins and ends with ‘her’.
Please tell L , you both poured your hearts into the song, and like a rainbow, somewhere along its path, it was beautifully delivered.
Trip of a lifetime. With photographs to prove it. Your family , surrounded by Rainbows, can only mean one thing.🌈😊♥️😊♥️😊♥️😊🍀♾️
Hi Lor long time no see! Have missed you.:. but that’s on me; have slowed down my posting pace a bit while life has sent me in multiple directions. I love the Lord of the Rings reference; from what i read, Tolkien based much of middle Earth and the languages he invented on Ireland.
Yes L is growing up exponentially faster it seems… doing my best reminding myself to slow down and treasure the moments while I am still in them. She has entered teenagerhood loudly and confidently and challengingly. 😝
Your emoji game is very strong these days. The line of symbolism has no beginning, nor end.
What a nice thing to say, I know what you mean, I’ve missed you too. Glad you’re out there enjoying life. Shouldn’t even think about not writing often enough. One of the great things about your writing , your music, is when you do show up, you show up big. So much more important than putting something out there because ‘I have to’. And truthfully, what fun is that. The photo of L facing the mountains , describes who she is , and who she might become. Look out dad , she is on her way, her journey is just starting. But who am I to profess any knowledge of raising a child, other than the fact that I was one, and kind of still am. For reasons beyond our control (health) we do not have children. I think we would have been great parents. We suffered childhood tantrums and adolescent defiance with our friend’s kids. Luckily, we could leave and go home. Could be the reason l never grew up. I focused so much on your rainbows, and the stories and memories they brought forward, I really didn’t say enough about your duet. You are both sounding incredible together. I hope L never grows away from your musical connection, seems impossible. The notes and harmonies, the music, the glue that reinforces a beautiful bond. Ok, off to the mountains while winter is still laying it’s claim. Someone has to go play, may as well be me. See you next time!
Thank you for sharing those parts of your story. Of course you would be great parents.
That’s something I’ve been contemplating lately — quality relative to quantity, and the way you phrase it “showing up big” when it is indeed time to show up. I appreciate you phrasing it like that because, well, it makes me feel good. :) Sometimes wanting to show up big is an excuse to never show up at all, because quality comes from continuous quantity/practice. the truth on this one is that I just got Lucky. 🍀
If there is another place in the world as evocative of emotion as Ireland I have yet to visit it Eric. You have it all gathered up here, between sky and land and rainbows and a song I have never forgotten sung with both of your voices singing in such heavenly harmony. I feel a touch, no more, a great longing to visit again... Thank you for sharing. ☘️
Thank you Susie! Thought of you while there; the second portion of the trip l don’t think we were too far from your old Irish hill. The 1% Irish ancestry I have agrees 100% with everything you say…
If you were anywhere close to the hill of Uisneach you were close to home Eric 💚
https://uisneach.ie
Wow!! So much powerful ‘mythology’ there. We were about 60km south, near Birr.
Birr was the first town I stopped in on my first ever visit! Coincidence speaks...
A lovely reflection on St Patrick’s day, Eric. And an equally impressive collection of pics. And of course your daughters singing is amazing :)
Thank you so much Michael! This comment deserved more than just a heartclick.
Thanks Eric. How nice of you to respond like that. Much appreciated :)