Those who have gone before...

25 years ago, my Grandma Houser passed away,
22 years ago, my Grandpa Fitzpatrick passed away,
15 years ago, my Grandpa Houser passed away,
13 years ago, was the "Year of Sorrow",
10 years ago, my Grandma Fitzpatrick passed away,
7 years ago, Robby's Grandma Sylvania passed away.
3 years ago, my Aunt Nelda and Aunt Jewel passed away,
1 year ago, my Merami passed away.

In honor of them all, I share you this song that I wrote in 2000,
when Grandpa Houser passed away:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Song of Sorrow

(set to the tune of "Barbra Allen")

From Irish halls to huts straw,

the wind of sorrow blows,

an’ everyone that hears its song,

knows of the cryin’. 

For in the heart an’ in the ear,

 the song it goes,

and sends each one

to bended knee

 for sorrow's prayer.

For sorrow’s course must take its hold,

and the joy its wing,

for in this life

they have their place,

an’ none can change it.

For in sorrows an’ joys,

this life its made,

an’ though we plead,

an’ though we beg,

this life it flies on.

So when the wind of sorrow comes,

we know our lot,

an’ turn our hearts

 to the Lord above,

our God and King!

For in His death

He bore our pain,

on sorrow’s tree,

an’ in Him we have our hope

for today.

So now, my friends,

ye’ve heard

the song of sorrow,

an’ to thee I bid ado

until the mor-row.


Copyright 2000 MMH/MMN

On the Run?

A few nights ago, my dear brother hurt me deeply, more than I can ever explain... Maybe I was too naive and trusting.  Maybe I could not see the darkness that had creeped into things around us...  all I can say is he betrayed me in a way that no one should ever be...

This has been the worst St. Patrick's Day of my life... and the nearly black, rainy skies are more than proof of that.  I am not talking pretty rain, I am talking the rain that feels like ice to freeze the soul.  All I can say is   "Tá brón orm!" (sorry) to Matt, and "Go raibh maith agaibh!" (thank you) to those who have helped me since then.

~ Morria

Seeds of Truth

Far a crossed the western sea,

there lies the land of no knowledge.

When the seeds of Truth take root therein,

a mighty tree will grow.

Storms, storms.

Beware least the roots begin to rot.

Beware least the tree should rot from within.

Mighty tree are now your roots shaken?

Mighty tree is now your trunk hollow?

For if the seeds of Truth do die,

so shall the tree fall.

(In old Irish tradition, the America's were referd to as the "land with no knowledge" or "land without knowledge of", this is were I get the term...)

~ Morria

St. Patricks Day!

I have three favorite holidays (plus a few only a few know about), and today is one of them.  Christmas, Halloween, and St. Patrick's Day... not because of the wear'n of the green, the leprechauns, or the likes... no for the man, Patrick of Ireland, or Maewyn Succut Padriag to be exact.  He was the man who brought God's Word to my people, the Irish for the first time where it really took off.  Sure, a few had come before, and there were some believers among the slaves... but it was with Patrick that it took hold in the upper classes as well.   He was a man who was first a slave of the Irish people, found his freedom, then risked his life returning to them to share the Gospel... that is true love and faith... they could have killed him on the spot for being a runaway slave...

His witness, and becoming one of those whom he was sent to (no one remembers for sure where he came from, but everyone remembers him among the Irish)... so completely he called them his people... is inspiration for me...
"O, God,  might I be like that on my journey-task! Amen!"

~ Morria