Sorry for late publication of blog. Big party yesterday 🤪
A SHORT REFLECTION ON REACHING 70
When I was younger 70 seemed really old.
Now I am 70 I pause to think – and feel that I’m 30 – on the inside.
I must count my blessings:
The Blessing of having the gift of Life.
The Blessing of having the gift of Faith.
The Blessing of having the gift of Priesthood.
The Blessing of having the gift of Good Parents – especially a Great Mother.
The Blessing of having some close Family, Good Friends and all my Oratory Family in Larne and beyond.
The Blessing of never haven been Homeless or Hungry.
The Blessing of having relatively Good Health and access to Health Care
The Blessing of being spared from Serious Mental Illness.
The Blessing of Life’s Pleasures – food, clothing, a drink, holidays, a car etc.
The Blessing of having ministered to so many thousands of people in so many ways – giving my life a sense of purpose, meaning, satisfaction and gratitude.
THE SAD MEMORIES:
Of course looking back I have sad memories:
The death of my parents Jim and Jojo and my younger siblings Margaret, Seamus and Sandra and my five little baby sisters buried in the Angel’s Plot in Carlow cemetery. Also remembering my grandparents aunts and uncles and other deceased family members and friends.
Remembering the pain of being abused aged 6 and all the psychological suffering that lasted years and decades – that is now very healed.
The pain of the guilt and shame I suffered for decades in “The Closet”.
The things I suffered at hands of bishops, priests and others in the RCC.
My own sins and failings – some remembered and God knows how many unremembered.
A HAPPY PLACE
Currently, in life, I am in a place of happiness and peace.
I believe I’ve always had courage but now have the wisdom to balance the courage.
If I had my way I’d live to be a 100.
But, of course I have no control over that.
But I place my full and absolute trust in the HAND that is on the tiller
( tiller – a horizontal bar fitted to the head of a boat’s rudder post and used for steering).
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 