Brothers

My father in law is on the right, his brother on the left.

They were born and bought up in Ireland mainly by their father as their mother died when my father in law was about 9.

Their father and his brother (who they share their names with) were bought up by their Auntie as their mother died when they were less than 5.

This is the thing I find with Ireland there is a whole lot of tragedy.

My father in law did not have shoes until he was 13 years old and left school to look after his younger siblings. He used to hunt rabbits for a living. This was how they survived. In the war there was no food and they had to smuggle bread in from over the border. He will eat every last scrap on his plate to this day. He cries at the song Noreen Bawn and is adored by his grandchildren.

His brother is also a lovely, charming and kind man who gave each of my children £10 and bought drinks all day long.

The sad part is that he has leukaemia and is not well. It is likely they will not meet again. This bit was not mentioned, it was like the elephant in the room. x

It was lovely to spend time with extended family though, cousins and second cousins and newborn baby cousins.

It made me think of a song we sing at chorus called Irish Blessing. I think it has added poignancy for me now and evermore.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.