This is the tattoo that my eldest daughter just got in memory of my parents. Dad died December 4th, 2017 and Mom followed 2 years and 1 day after on December 5th, 2019. The 7 shamrocks represent them, myself and my 4 other siblings. O’Brien was my maiden name. What a testament to her love of us all!
The center symbol is the Claddagh which holds a special place in the hearts of our family. A little background for you:
The story of the Claddagh is based in rich Irish culture. It begins about five centuries ago in the fishing village of Claddagh, just outside the city of Galway. Men of the village, much as they do today, would go out to the sea, each day, to fish for food for their families and other villagers. The sea presented many dangers. On some days the sea was high and on others the current was strong. The greatest risk, however, was that there were pirates. On one such day, the story goes, a young man was fishing at sea with other men from his family. Suddenly, from their small boat, they spied a Spanish pirate ship. That sight, the men were certain sealed their fate. The pirates captured the men from Claddagh and brought them to the far off North Coast of Africa. It was there that they were sold into slavery for what they were sure would be the rest of their lives. Richard, the youngest of those captured, was the most distraught. All men had left loved ones behind, but Richard had just met his true love and now feared that he would not live to see her again. Years passed and several of the men died. Others accepted their fate. Richard worked as a slave, but continued to long for a return to his village and to his beloved. To keep his spirits up and to keep hope in his heart, each day Richard stole a tiny speck of gold from his slave masters in the goldsmith shop where he tended the fires. Years passed and, with his tiny pieces of gold, he was finally able to fashion a ring. It was his hope that, despite what seemed nearly impossible, he would return to his village and present the ring to his true love. No one really knows if Richard escaped or earned his release from slavery, but in either event, the day finally came when Richard could begin the long trip back to his village in Ireland . . . to his home. At his journey’s end, Richard was overcome with joy when he learned that his beloved had remained true to him in his long absence, waiting faithfully for him to return. It was on that day that Richard gave his beloved the ring he created that is now known worldwide as the Claddagh Ring. The Claddagh design appears not only in rings, but in other types of jewelry as well. The heart in the cladadgh symbolizes the love Richard longed to share with his true love. The crown symbolizes his undying loyalty and the hands symbolize friendship, which is, after all, the very foundation of love, with loyalty holding the two hands together. The Claddagh design became popular as an engagement or a wedding ring. It took on even more significance when Claddagh rings began to be worn widely by women throughout Ireland, on the west coast and the islands, where the claddagh may well have been the only major “investment” in a fishing family, an heirloom handed down from mother to daughter.
There even is a guide which explains the symbolism of how the ring is worn. If the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart pointing out, it means that the wearer’s heart is uncommitted. Worn on the same hand with the heart pointing inward, the Claddagh ring means that the wearer’s heart is taken. Worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward, it means “Let Love and Friendship reign forever, never to be separated.” The Claddagh has a rich heritage and will surely be in vogue for many years to come.
Peace and Love,
Teresa Marie
My idea of starting the new blog was not my best. Even though my intentions were good, it hasn’t taken off and I still get more traffic here without making any new posts than I’ve ever gotten there. Now I’m going to invite my few new followers to join us all back here on What About God?
So that I don’t bore them with old news and I allow you all to catch up, I’m posting the links for what you missed out on.
https://mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/2019/04/29/roller-coaster-ride-from-hell/
https://mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/2019/05/27/memories-guilt-regrets-anger/
https://mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/2019/05/30/life-goes-on-but-can-i/
https://mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/2019/06/01/time-to-laugh/
https://mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/2019/06/16/more-laughs-better-than-tears/
https://mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/2019/11/05/more-surgery-come-on/
https://mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/2019/11/05/dear-god-im-mad-at-you/
https://mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/2020/01/08/a-few-laughs-for-your-hump-day/
God bless and love to you all,
Teresa Marie
Hello Friends,
I haven’t seen many of you on the new blog yet. Since I believe that some of you would care to know about the upheaval in & total destruction of part of my life, I am posting the links to my new blog posts. I hope to see you visit me there.
Love, peace & blessings to all,
Teresa Marie
Links:
https://wordpress.com/post/mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/51
https://wordpress.com/post/mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/42
https://wordpress.com/post/mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/63
https://wordpress.com/post/mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/78
https://wordpress.com/post/mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/82
https://wordpress.com/post/mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com/88
Hello my friends! I have decided to close out this blog since it has been so long since I’ve regularly posted on it.
However, I have started a new one. I intend to do a lot of the same genre as before but without stressing myself out so much about posting every day, nor joining so many other weekly challenges; poetry, storytelling, etc.
Sebastian is 3 now and attending pre-school for special education. I have a lot of hectic activity already in daily life, that’s enough for me.
The new blog link is: mindexplosion819728067.wordpress.com
Stop by and say hi whenever you have time!
Love, peace & blessings for you all, Teresa
Late in November of last year we lost Mark’s father. Al lost his battle with cancer and he is dearly missed. Thank God he only lasted about a week on hospice when the angels took him home. Sebastian was his buddy and he still looks for him every time he goes to their house. He knows he’s not in the bed anymore, so he talks to Poppy’s picture instead 😦
Speaking of Sebastian, he’s 18 months old already! Remember this little guy?
Well, here he is now…
And those sweet little twin babies my son had…
And let’s not forget my two little scholars…
Where does the time go? I can feel myself aging by the minute!
Last but not least, some of my latest work…
I hope everybody has been as well as can be expected!!
God bless and keep you all, Terri
From a young child
respect was taught
for those whose lives
our safety bought
It mattered not
what badge they wore
more important
the oath they swore
A debt we owed
of gratitude
freely given
without attitude
Killing police
condoned by blacks
proves just what
this country lacks
Following God
His laws to keep
was in our hearts
conviction deep
Yet to believe
today brings scorn
an evil soul
in us was born
If once again
we put God first
He’d prosper us
and lift our curse!
Subject: First Grandma Marian Robinson to Receive Lifetime $160K Government Pension
First Grandma Marian Robinson to Receive Lifetime $160K Government
Pension
Washington D.C. – First Grandma Marian Robinson, 79, will receive a lifetime 160K government pension when she leaves the White House next year,according to congressional budget statements.
According to documents obtained through the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA), Mrs. Robinson earned the lifetime pension for “services rendered as full-time/in-home caregiver” for granddaughters Malia, 18, and Sasha, 15, during President Obama’s two terms in office.
In January of 2009, it was reported that Mrs. Robinson was living in the White House full-time to tend to her granddaughters. She was the first live-in grandmother at the White House since Elivera M. Doud, the mother of Mamie Eisenhower, during the Eisenhower
Administration.
Critics say Mrs. Robinson should not profit from something as simple as taking care of family.
Sally Kellner, volunteer/activist
for the National Taxpayers
Union, says this is a prime example of needless spending.
“I think it’s ridiculous that taxpayers must pay this woman a lifetime salary for something everyday Americans do for free.
We take care of our families because we love them, not for profit.”
When asked if Mrs. Robinson’s lifetime pension was justified, Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget
Committee, declined to comment but said a special oversight committee would review all post-Obama Administration budgetary
obligations.
Before her son-in-law became President of the United States, Mrs. Robinson had never been abroad.
Now, after almost eight years of being the nation’s Grandmother-In-Chief, she’s a seasoned world traveler who has, accompanied by her granddaughters, been to Senegal, Tanzania, China and Italy, where she even met the Pope.
“She’s been the rock of the family,” says Obama family friend and biographer, Peter Slevin. “It’s been a real blessing for the girls (Malia & Sasha) to have their grandma with them during these formative years,” he said.
Shortly after the 2008 presidential election, President Obama called Robinson “One of the unsung heroes” of his campaign, and said, “We couldn’t have done it without her.”
First Lady Michelle Obama has said that if Robinson had not been available to step in and watch over the girls, Obama might never have launched his campaign.
While holding no official job title, Mrs. Robinson likely qualified for her lifetime pension under the “optional” eligibility requirement for the Civil Service Retirement
Act (CSRS).
What about God? 