As I sit here at my desk on a very cold Sunday afternoon I am thinking of my family who taught me the importance of family and good friends my parents Dad from Co Mayo and Mom from Co Kerry they lead by example and love.  I was raised in the 50's in Cleveland Ohio we didn't have a lot but actually we never knew that we didn't have much.  I thnk our values were so different then now, we were happy to be out all day in the summer lucky to come home for lunch and be able to go to a Saturday matinee at the movie house down the street.  On Sunday we went to Mass and kept our good clothes on and sat on the front porch until it was time for dinner which was early afternoon.  Both my parents did without to give to us I only realize that as I grew older and saw the cost of schooling for five children.  But the thing I remember the most is the lauughter and the Irish music in our house, what beautiful memories for a child to carry with her.  If someone came to the door the first thing my Mom did was ask one of us to put the kettle on for a cup of tea, which I still do when company comes thru the door.

My Mom and Dad never made it back to Ireland my sisters and I have visted twice and met our extended family we visited where my Mom was born and the Church she attended.  The great part of my first visit was to meet my first cousin who looked like me, I was the only blond in the family (until my brother was born) I was always told that I looked like my Mothers brother and when I met his son I finaly saw it. 

Thanks Mom and Dad for coming to the land of your dreams.