My mother was far more Scot than Irish, neither of us have been anywhere near Killarney, but I remember her singing this song ‘in tones so sweet and low’.
I don’t need to give the world to hear it again, it’s there in my mind; and I wouldn’t take the world if it meant losing this memory.
Though it has been decades since I’ve heard her sing it, the recollection of it tonight brings a sense of the peace I trust she now knows.

…many years ago
My Mother sang a song to me in tones so sweet and low,
Just a simple little ditty, in her good ould Irish way,
And I’d give the world if she could sing that song to me this day.

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Hush now don’t you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
That’s an Irish lullaby.

Here’s Bing Crosby, whose version runs a very close second to Mum’s.

Watched a movie the other day. It featured a Christian minister. As I watched him implement his plan to deal with a crisis I felt a degree of identification as I try and get on top of COVID resumption planning.

Step 1 Approach the situation (who holds a Bible like that?)

Step 2 Address the situation

Step 3 I hope July 5 goes better than this.

We ate Asian takeaway in two States, remembered Mum, who always made sure birthdays were a special day; distanced only by the kilometers, close through ties of the heart.

So tonight instead of celebrating Mum’s 80th birthday, we’re marking our first June 16 since her death.

It’s not how we were expecting to spend the day. But it will still be a time of experiencing the family she sacrificially nurtured.