" Up on the Roof "

 

In the early 60’s Gerry Coffin and Carol King wrote a song titled “Up on the Roof” -  “When I come home feelin' tired and beat I go up where the air is fresh and sweet (up on the roof) I get away from the hustling crowd And all that rat-race noise down in the street (up on the roof) On the roof, the only place I know Where you just have to wish to make it so Let's go up on the roof (up on the roof).”

I believe this song is still as valid today as it was back then. We are in our eleventh month of a virus that is tearing family, friends, and countries apart not only because of its nature but also because of the sickness of the politics that have grown up around it. “..this old world is getting me down and people are just too much to face,…” Where do we go for peace of mind? The church is locked. The library may or may not be open. Where is it safe to go? Everyone needs a ‘safe place” where they can go to in a time of emotional pain. For some it might be a real place like a boathouse, a cabin in the hills, a cottage near the sea. For others it is an imaginary place where they take themselves as they “hide out” in the bathroom at work or home. Going “up on the roof” is a way of putting distance between myself and the stress that is attempting to control me. “The roof” is my sacred place of rest, of peace and quiet and I am willing to share it provided those who wish to share it with me leave their negative baggage on the street, on the side-walk. On “the roof” I see the night sky in all its fullness of stars and a full moon. It is where I see a shooting star, a wishing star, a comet, and even the International space station flying by. On “the roof” I dance and sing and listen to the music of the night. It is where I let go of that which would keep me grounded to the negativity of the street with all its contradictory noises. Up on “the roof” I feel peaceful, I feel confident, I feel hopeful as I have a sense of being closer to heaven and God, my Higher Power, or however I chose to understand the Ground of my Being, that Power which I trust but do not fully understand. On ‘the roof” I listen to the quiet voice within and without telling me not to be afraid, that, no matter what happens- good or bad – all will be okay. Creator God, Great Spirit, I give thanks for those who can verbalize their hopes and dreams in song and poetry with which I can identify, and it brings me peace. May the Holy Spirit enkindle in me a fire to find my “rooftop” so that I can let go, for however long or short, of life’s negativity and absorb the power of gratitude again. Amen.

  

Up On The Roof

Carole King

When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space
On the roof, it's peaceful as can be
And there the world below can't bother me
Let me tell you now

When I come home feelin' tired and beat
I go up where the air is fresh and sweet (up on the roof)
I get away from the hustling crowd
And all that rat-race noise down in the street (up on the roof)
On the roof, the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Let's go up on the roof (up on the roof)

At night the stars put on a show for free
And, darling, you can share it all with me

I keep a-tellin' you

Right smack dab in the middle of town
I've found a paradise that's trouble proof (up on the roof)
And if this world starts getting you down
There's room enough for two
Up on the roof (up on the roof)
Up on the roo-oo-oof (up on the roof)
Oh, come on, baby (up on the roof)
Oh, come on, honey (up on the roof)

Everything is all right (up on the roof)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHzMeEf3rM0&ab_channel=CaroleKingVEVO

" this too will pass " + " the Egg seller"

 

“ this too will pass” – I was taught these words by my grandmother

As a phrase that is to be used at all times in your life.    When things are spectacularly dreadful, when things are absolutely appalling,

When everything is superb and wonderful and marvellous and happy.

Say these four words to yourself.

They will give you a sense of perspective and help you also to make

The most of what is good and be stoical about what is bad.

Claire Rayner 1931-2010  

The Egg Seller

 

She asked him, 'How much are you selling the eggs for?'

The old seller replied, '$.25 an egg, Madam.'

She said to him, 'I will take 6 eggs for $1.25 or I will leave.'

The old seller replied, 'Come take them at the price you want. Maybe, this is a good beginning because I have not been able to sell even a single egg today.'

She took the eggs and walked away feeling she has won. She got into her fancy car and went to a posh restaurant with her friend. There, she and her friend, ordered whatever they liked. They ate a little and left a lot of what they ordered. Then she went to pay the bill. The bill costed her $45.00 She gave $50.00 and asked the owner of the restaurant to keep the change.

This incident might have seemed quite normal to the owner but, very painful to the poor egg seller.

The point is,

Why do we always show we have the power when we buy from the needy ones? And why do we get generous to those who do not even need our generosity?

I once read somewhere:

'My father used to buy simple goods from poor people at high prices, even though he did not need them. Sometimes he even used to pay extra for them. I got concerned by this act and asked him why does he do so? Then my father replied, "It is a charity wrapped with dignity, my child”   --  spread this message.

 

" Today we mourned you differently "

 

Today We Mourned You Differently

Today, we mourned you differently — not in the way we would have

liked to or felt you deserved. A fettered celebration, not enough to

even begin to pay tribute to the life you’ve lived.

Today, we mourned you differently. The pageantry was sparse, we

had no singer to sing your songs, and the shoulders of the fine men

you reared were bare — they would have gladly, though sadly taken

your weight with pride, and carried you to where you now sleep.

Today, we mourned you differently — your friends and neighbours

lined the street — a noble gesture, but poor substitute for the squeeze

of a shoulder, an embrace, and the vice-grip handshakes full of grief,

solidarity and questions.

Today we mourned you differently — the bare handful of us, the

chosen few, stood around you, while broad-backed men from the old

days trembled in the distance, and from a parked car your brother

looked on with pursed lips through the condensation.

Today, we mourned you differently. Sad eyes looked up from where

big hands were holding little hands that didn’t understand — not that

the big hands understood much better.

Today, we mourned you differently, but this much is true — you are

gone, but not without a trace, as you are in every face you leave

behind, in every imprint of your foot on the path you so diligently

wore from the rose bushes to the kitchen door.

Today, we mourned you differently.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=today+we+mourned+you+differently

 

 

" Don't lie to me "

 

Don't Lie to Me

Barbra Streisand

Why can you just tell me the truth?
Hard to believe the things you say
Why can't you feel the tears I cried today, cried today, cried today
How do you win if we all lose?
You change the facts to justify
Your lips move but your words get in the way, in the way, in the way

Kings and Queens, crooks and thieves
You don't see the forest for the trees
Head and heart on our knees
You can't see what we all see

How do you sleep when the world keeps turning?
All that we built has come undone
How do you sleep when the world is burning?
Everyone answers to someone

Don't lie to me, don't lie to me, you lie to me
Don't lie to me, don't lie to me, you lie to me

You can build towers of bronze and gold
You can build castles in the sky
You can use smoke and mirrors, old clichés
Not today, not today

Kings and Queens, crooks and thieves
You don't see the forest for the trees
Hand on heart, down our knees
You can't see what everyone sees

How do you sleep when the world keeps turning?
All that we built has come undone
How do you sleep when the world is burning?
Everyone answers to someone

Don't lie to me, don't lie to me, you lie to me
Don't lie to me, don't lie to me, you lie to me

Can't you see I'm crying?
Can't you see we're crying?
Where's the new horizon?
Where's the new horizon?

How do you sleep?
How do you sleep?
How do you sleep?
(How do you sleep when the world is turning?)
How do you sleep?
(All that we built has come undone)
Enough is enough
(How do you sleep when the world is burning?)
How do you sleep?
(Everyone answers to someone)

Don't lie to me, don't lie to me, you lie to me
Don't lie to me, don't lie to me, you lie to me

Can't you see I'm crying?
(Can't you see we're crying?)
Can't you see we're crying?
Everyone answers to someone

" All of my life" v " The rest of my life"

All of my Life – For the rest of my Life

All of my life, I've been searching for answers,
Without knowing which questions to ask.

All of my life, I've been looking for "The One",
But this is no simple task.

All of my life, I've been waiting for someone,
To make my small half a whole.

All of my life, I've been meeting new friends,
While trying to stay linked to the old.

All of my life, I've been trying too hard,
Trying to grow up too fast.

All of my life, I've been moving on to the future,
Yet fondly holding on to the past.

All of my life, I've been laughing and crying,
And living as much as I can.

All of my life, I've been told to walk slowly through time,
So why does it seem like I ran?

For the rest of my life, I'll try very hard,
To take smaller steps in my walk.

For the rest of my life, I'll dance and sing,
Instead of muttering the words that I talk.

For the rest of my life, I'll cherish,
The many gifts that I have been given.

For the rest of my life, I'll lend a caring hand,
My tiny part in making the world better to live in.

For the rest of my life, I'll appreciate,
That love is what matters the most.

For the rest of my life, I'll make a difference,
Instead of just trying to coast.

For the rest of my life, I'll keep my eyes open,
Searching less, while hoping to be found.

For the rest of my life, I'll keep my heart open.
Surely, one day Fate will come around.

All of my life, I've been wondering,
Should I settle or be wild and run free?

For the rest of my life, I'll try to stop for a moment,
Look deep inside, and just find me.

 

Pandemic Poem from New Zealand + " This is the time to be slow"

 

Pandemic poem from New Zealand.

 

“I'm normally a social girl

I love to meet my mates

But lately with the virus here

We can't go out the gates.

You see, we are the 'oldies' now

We need to stay inside

If they haven't seen us for a while

They'll think we've upped and died.

They'll never know the things we did

Before we got this old

There wasn't any Facebook

So not everything was told.

We may seem sweet old ladies

Who would never be uncouth

But we grew up in the 60s -

If you only knew the truth!

There was sex and drugs and rock 'n roll

The pill and miniskirts

We smoked, we drank, we partied

And were quite outrageous flirts.

Then we settled down, got married

And turned into someone's mum,

Somebody's wife, then nana,

Who on earth did we become?

We didn't mind the change of pace

Because our lives were full

But to bury us before we're dead

Is like a red rag to a bull!

So here you find me stuck inside

For 4 weeks, maybe more

I finally found myself again

Then I had to close the door!

It didnt really bother me

I'd while away the hour

I'd bake for all the family

But I've got no bloody flour!

Now Netflix is just wonderful

I like a gutsy thriller

I'm swooning over Idris

Or some random sexy killer.

At least I've got a stash of booze

For when I'm being idle

There's wine and whiskey, even gin

If I'm feeling suicidal!

So let's all drink to lockdown

To recovery and health

And hope this bloody virus

Doesn't decimate our wealth.

We'll all get through the crisis

And be back to join our mates

Just hoping I'm not far too wide

To fit through the flaming gates!”

Author - Jan Beaumont, Auckland NZ

THIS IS THE TIME TO BE SLOW

 

This is the time to be slow,

Lie low to the wall

Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let

The wire brush of doubt

Scrape from your heart

All sense of yourself

And your hesitant light.

If you remain generous,

Time will come good;

And you will find your feet

Again on fresh pastures of promise,

Where the air will be kind

And blushed with beginning.

 

©JOHN O'DONOHUE

From his book, Benedictus

 

Granny Nancy 107 years old.

 

Granny Nancy 107 years old.

Some very wise and beautiful words from Ireland's oldest citizen who celebrates her 107th birthday today, She wrote this lovely letter to the people of Ireland to live through this time of pandemic! Happy birthday Nancy!

Dear sir - My name is Nancy Stewart and I was born on the 16th of October 1913. This weekend I turn 107 years of age.

Imagine turning 107 in a world pandemic. This definitely is something very unusual even for me and all I have been through. I live in Clonard in County Meath and have lived in my home for over 83 years.

I lost my husband in a car crash in 1989, and lost my twin daughters Margaret in 2007 to motor neurone and Anne in 2010 to utter heartbreak of losing her sister. I’ve lost all my friends throughout the years which comes with living so long on this earth.

I’m very lucky to still have three daughters Kathleen, Mary and Olive and one son Finian and I have 84 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

I have faced many heart-breaking moments and also have seen many hard times in our country witnessing world wars, division in our people and numerous sad times for our nation.

I write to you today to send you my love and to offer you my prayers. We are in a very difficult time at the moment in our country, in our lives and in our world. But I reach out to you in this letter to offer you hope, faith and belief that everything will be ok in the end.

We are in another stage of this battle against the virus but we will get through this. Like everything I’ve been through since the day I was born in 1913, no matter how bad things have got, I’m the living proof that we can survive and in years to come, this will just be a distant memory.

I have a great faith and it has helped me keep positive throughout the struggles I’ve met. I thank you for keeping your faith and for keeping your resilience strong, through this hard time. Sadly for the moment, we can no longer stretch out to a friend and embrace them nor can we call to each other's houses.

But I’m here to share my story. I have been in lockdown in my house since March, alongside my granddaughter Louise and even though it has been a tough time, we have got through it together.

We drink tea. We say prayers. We bake. We laugh. We make phone calls. I can even video call lots of my family and friends and am making new friends everyday that God gives me on this earth.

And that’s a very important thing to say. If you are feeling low, make sure to try call someone or even go for a walk. I also ask God to help me if I’m feeling low. This is a hard time for everyone but please make sure you keep yourself well and wear your mask. If you keep healthy, your mind will stay healthy too.

Keep talking to one another. All my life I have always believed in chatting and drinking tea and saying a prayer or a decade of the rosary and it has got me through. This is our moment to keep our faith and to keep believing that everything will turn out ok.

We must try to make sure we leave nobody behind and also that we don’t lose sight of each other. This is a moment for humanity to step forward to take care of the other. We must mind ourselves but we must also mind all those around us. Look up and smile even if you have your mask on.

Your eyes will smile and that might be all someone needs to keep going. No good deed ever goes unnoticed so try your best to keep being good. We are not here to live for ourselves but to live for each other.

I can’t believe I’ve made it to this age, I only feel like I’m 50 but now that I’m here, all I can say is please God I’ll be here for my next birthday. We must always look forward. I can’t believe I’m the oldest person in Ireland living in my own home, I don’t feel that old.

When God wants me, he will come take me but for now I will keep enjoying my life, I’ll keep loving my family and I’ll keep saying my prayers day by day…..oh and not to forget eating lots of good wholesome food is my tip. Good food and lots of tea is my secret to a long life as well as keeping positive as best we can. We must always look forward and hope for the best.

Thank you for thinking of me in your prayers and your thoughts and I promise I will think of you in my many rosaries I say everyday.

Thank you so much for reading my letter also and I hope I have, in even a little way, helped you feel less alone in this moment. There is always hope and once we keep talking to one another, no day will seem empty and we can get through this together. It only takes a small candle to take away the dark and in each of us, we can be that light in the world.

This hard time will indeed pass like all the rest and all that matters is that we helped each other through.

Many blessings and much love,

Granny Nancy x       Clonard Co Meath.