Roots. Where does one come from? This question led me back to Ireland, specifically to the town of Hillsborough located some 30 miles outside the city of Belfast in the country of Ulster. I travelled to Anahilt Presbyterian Church established in 1667 and walked around the graveyard connected to the church. There lay the grey granite gravestone—’The Family Grave of James Davey, Belfast’ and the bones of my grandparents, great grandparents and various uncles and aunts of previous generations—young and old. The surrounding area is still rural Ireland. Cows still graze across from the churchyard and the rolling hills have not changed from the days of my great grandfather.
I am reminded of Annie Dillard’s book ‘For The time Being’ where she reminds us that all of us have ‘our time under the sun.’ Make sure you live your moments under the sun because they are limited and not to be wasted. They are precious gifts to be received as holy moments. I think all the members of my family grave in Anahilt would say a rousing ‘Amen!’ to that one!…whispering to all who hear: ‘Live, enjoy, receive, give thanks. Take nothing for granted. Drink your cup to the very last drop!’
This week my suggestion is to be aware of your time under the sun. Receive it all as blessing—whatever your circumstances. You are in the extreme minority of persons who are now living and breathing; conscious beings who can say ‘yes’ and make a difference in the land of the living. No small thing! An exclusive group!
Say ‘Yes!’ Breathe deeply! Listen to your own Anahilt!
This reminds me of a time when my Father took Darlene and myself for a tour of places the Lucas’ lived.
Eventually we came to a small graveyard outside of Listowell, where a tall pillar of a grave marker stood. On all four sides were engraved the names of the family that came to this country (from Ireland also)and born here from the 1840′s to the end of the nineteenth century.
It was interesting experience to reach out and touch history that has a direct link to your own life.