February 28, 2023

Friends shouldn’t go far,
shouldn’t be scattered in cities and countries,
they should stay close here.
We should meet on a random night
for no reason or planning,
have coffee, joke and go home knowing
we’ll meet tomorrow or the day after.

Not sure where this wee bit of wisdom came from. Dennis found it on FB and passed it along. And as I get ready to go to Ireland next week, it was a reminder of one of the things I so love about being there. 

Of course it doesn’t happen much in the larger cities these days. But in the more rural and remote areas in Ireland it’s still a thing. Neighbor Mick will wander up to the cottage for coffee and will again remind me to stop by their house for a cuppa any time. Dear friend Christy Barry in Doolin has frequently encouraged me to just stop by. “Ah sure, I’m home here most days.” No need to call or plan ahead. Which is proving a bit of a challenge as I try to find and secure times to see so many friends, colleagues, and trades people in Ireland when I’m there. I’m a planner. They tend not to be. 

So while I do have a few things on my calendar, it seems the rest of the time I will just go with the flow and settle into the rhythms of life in rural Ireland. I just need to climb out of my need to know. I just need and want to remember that this was once what it was like for all of us. Those of us who are now elder, now Crone, remember these more spontaneous and gentle rhythms of life and friendship where encounters were a precious piece of time out of time.

We remember the way it was.

Blessings of Crone Wisdom,
Judith