Yesterday we learned of Tropical Storm Isaac. We prayed for all people in Isaac’s way. And we prayed again today. We will pray again tomorrow. And the day after that too.
Mary guided us to the labyrinth again.
It is the way we begin each of our times together.
Then we spent time in the “Tearmann” (sanctuary) together.
Mary read us these words from Brendah Kennely’s poem, “Proof.”
She has read them to us before.
I am taken with them:
I would like all things to be free of me, never to murder the days with presuppositions, never to feel they suffer the imposition of having to be this or that. How easy it is to maim the moment with expectation, to force it to define itself. Beyond all that I am, the sun scattered the light as though by accident.”
I would like all things to be free of me. Such a statement in ten words. How easy to maim the moment. That one has only six.
A few images from today (we’re able to download tonight because we have a better signal by walking about ten minutes down the river to the Glendallough Hotel. They have a better signal. . . well . . . and a pint of Guinness.)
In our blessings at the well, we dip our hands three times: once for ourselves, once for others, and then again for the earth. You are in our hearts and minds even as you are “free of us.”
All that we are experiencing makes me feel that this is the right place for us to be at this time in our lives. This valley has been seen as a holy place for centuries. The Druids, Celts, Christians and now visitors from all over the world come here to experience the healing, mystery and beauty of this place. We are blessed, “even as you are free of us.”
wells-of-wellness 
What a wonderful and spiritual experience you are having. I truly enjoy your postings.
Ted
May the beauty of Ireland be in you, Ted, and Marsha too.
Ah, but we are never free of you – nor would we want to be. The word stories you weave are a blessing, and we pray for you daily. Drink it in, store it up, and bring it back to us to refresh our thirsty souls!
J & L
Hi P & P,
What a wonderful experience you are having and thank you for sharing it with all of us. Patricia, I am not able to send emails to you. They all bounce back. I did receive yours, though.
Love you both,
Cathleen
Thanks Cathleen, Yes Patricia is having a problem receiving emails here. Perhaps that is part of the journey of “time away.” Will work on it a bit more when we get to County Kerry in September.
From and obscure Irish poet, this can be read top to bottom or bottom to top or middle to bottom or…you get the idea. Surprise it’s called “today.” In line 2, I leave out one word that precedes the word gorgeous, although descriptive, it is inappropriate for this forum:
today,
you look gorgeous
you look gorgeous
today
today,
you look
you
today
you.
Siochan
Proof, what a poem.Whew! Your thin place is moving through your words. Thank you brother!
Thanks for the wonderful quotation woven into your Glendalough experience…”never to murder the day with presuppositions.” Doesn’t that sum up what we need to learn about fearing, hating, and being intolerant. Of course, I don’t want to lose the presupposition that loving carries with it. The church doorknobs fit that image better. We learn so much from your travels. Your eyes behind the camera are so sharp and startling.
ahh the eyes keep being surprised by the depth of beauty in grand expanses and tiny pinhead sized lichen.
Phil, could you take a picture of the labyrinth you walk?
Whew! Powerful poem.
Thank you my brother for sharing the thin place.
Thanks Patti, have thought of you and K often in this place. You would be profoundly moved, touched, awed . . . you know, that stuff . . . by 8 days with Mary Meighan in Glendalough. I recommend her boldly, warmly, and with thanksgiving in my heart.