Light

The Birds Gather in a line


And sing -one by one the dawn Chorus


To awaken the sleeping sun-


To brighten a new day .




The waves crash off the cliffs and rocks , 


The melody seeps into my soul 


Of the nature that is all around -


The Song of rain, of wind of storm 


The song of laughter , of love. 




And , as the sun sets over the tall trees, 


The sky becomes dark for that one brief moment


But the light of the moon and stars appear 


As I remember what it is I hold dear .




The candle flickers in the breeze, and quenches-


Give me a light that I may thread safely into the unknown ,


I put my hand in yours , 


That-is better then the light and safer then my known path .

Aoife Marie Elizabeth 

These precious moment , with very precious people !

So , I have quiet literally just returned from having tea with my best friend and her fantastic family, and I felt without further delay that I should start writing , because if I leave it too long I wont have the feeling in my heart as I do now !

I always feel this amazing excitement when the dear McCarthy's invite me over to their house. So much so that  as my dad approaches their house I start to get butterflies in my stomach , I don't really think it is nerves per-say , well I guess to a little extent , but I get nervous doing a lot so that is not a new trait for me. But I think it was just pure, raw  excitement ...!   


This family, that I have now forever branded as my second family are just the sweetest , kindest people I have ever met! I know people say that all the time and don't mean it , but I genuinely mean that from the bottom of my heart ! The moment I walked in that door I was greeted with a resounding "Welcome Aoife , so good to have you here " and hugs from almost every member of that family  ! What beautiful people ! 


This stunning family just treat me like I am one of them ... A feeling that I cant even put in words  :
" Faithful friends are beyond price: No amount can balance their worth 
- Bible Sirach 6:15
The bible can ! We sat to watch a movie together . We laughed together , at appropriate moments we all have a unanimous " awww" . It was so relaxed, so calm . I felt so at home. While we were watching that movie. Every now and again I would glance around the room , looking at the beautiful pictures of family members they had on the walls , and their adorable tea set collection , the glistening lights of the Christmas tree added to the effect! They have such a beautiful home, full of beautiful people. 


We continued into the kitchen where we had tea, in delightful tea cups , with cute cookies and sandwiches and great company . We discussed the future, school and college . We talked about baby name and planning out weddings - I know now even way off from my wedding day that they will all be part of it , I can not imagine it without them - I cannot imagine life without them . We sat and just talked about everything . I looked at the bible quotes that were pinned to their kitchen wall and couldn't help but smile !  I know that God has put these wonderful people in my life. I need them here , I cherish their friendship so much - It was all part of Gods plan to make me grow to love this family- They are exactly how I want my family to be when I am older and Married with kids. 
I want a house like the McCarthy's , with bible quotes on the wall, and pictures of family members and books everywhere you turn. I am so so blessed to know them , to be part of their lives in just a little way .

Every night as I kneel at the end of my bed and thank God for the day I have had, This family always gets a special mention in my prayers . I thank God for making such extraordinary people , I thank him for putting them in my life and I thank him for making me a better person by knowing them .
"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." 

My first Blog - a look back on 2011.

So my experiment begins here then.....! This blog will probably just be for me - I can not imagine anyone actually wanting to read something I have written ( at least not against their will) but if that does happen for some bizarre reason, then welcome- thank you for coming and I hope I do not disappoint you in any way !!

So since I am starting this at the beginning of January 2012 I feel it is only right to recap on the events that made up 2011. It is only fair. So lets begin.

2011~
This was a year that was like no other for me. It was a year that really tugged at my emotions. It was a year I will never forget , sometimes for the wrong reasons and sometimes for great reasons ,that is the way it was planned to be .
Now I am not one to focus on the negative of things- I  see my self as an optimist , and I try to radiate that where ever I go and in whatever I do. 2011 was a great year in so so many ways . I thank God for making it a  great year as well as a tough one . I'll start with the positive.
I got to tick off a major event from my "Bucket List" in the summer. I traveled to 2 amazing and beautiful cities.  I went to Paris and Berin within the space of 10 days during my summer holidays. 10 days I will never forget. Paris is possibly one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. My first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower was a surreal feeling ! I stood in awe for a second, looking down a long street at this iconic structure , something I had read about ,and seen hundreds of pictures of and dreamed I would once stand looking at it for real....This was my for real moment ! I then continued to jump up and down saying "there it is, right there can you see it - wow its amazing" ! It was amazing !!
Paris for me was a place where I felt completely at home - despite the fact I am most certainly not fluent in French. The people were so kind and beautiful . They spent their time sitting in cafes writing in little books, or reading and drinking coffee . Everything in Paris was beautiful, the landscape, the buildings , the art -Everything. I stood at the top of that very same Eiffel Tower from my dreams - looking out at the whole of Paris, pinching myself to see If I was really experiencing this- "Is this real life?" I felt on top of the world in that single moment !   Paris was just magnifiques .
Berlin was also beautiful - but in a completely different way. Where Paris was chic and sophisticated , Berlin was its rebellious younger sister. It was a place of individuality ! The people had a unique style. The city was full of art and history . I was feeling homesick by the time we reached Berlin so honestly I don't think I appreciated it as much as I should have , but I can say it was amazing! I am just so glad to have experience that trip.

In 2011 I also grew closer to some of my friends, whom I am blessed to know. My friends at school keep me sane in a very hectic year. They keep me smiling and laughing and remind me that everything is going to be o.k and to enjoy the school experience because " It is the best time of your life" . I love my friends.
My family also keep my head above water . They are constantly reminding me that I am loved and that no matter what , they will always be there- from the events of this year I have learned that the support of family and friends will get you through any situation .

2011 also brought about terrible heartache for my family and I . In March we had to say goodbye to my beautiful gran aunt. She was one of the kindest ,sweetest souls I have ever met ! No matter where you met her, be it in the supermarket or on the street she always gave you one of her big bear hugs and she always smelled fabulous . I know that sounds strange, but it is the little things that you remember when a person you loved so dearly is not on this earth any more.

In October we as a family also experienced the great loss of a special Angel- My nephew . He was simply too beautiful for this earth- God needed him for something much greater , something I must learn to accept . I know he is in the arms of Jesus and there is no better place for my Godson !

Although these are too great losses in my life I know that they are both with God, they are in a much better place then here ! - I am happy God called them home !

"The Lord gave, and the Lord  has taken way ; blessed be the name of the lord “ ~ Job 1:21

So to wrap this year up ! There were the great events and the sad events , but altogether that makes life . I have smiled and laughed in this past year which is a blessing in itself .
So here is to another year- Who knows what it has in store for us all, but we will face it head first and enjoy every moment we have been given on this planet .

~ Aoife Marie Elizabeth ♪