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We have a new sewing machine in the sun room, and few are as lovely as this one. Lakaisha got it because she saw it, loved it, but then didn't get to buy it--but then someone told someone else she'd really wanted it--and a local artist sold it back to her. So clearly, she was meant to have it!
What will she do with this sewing machine, I wonder? Maybe she will make clothes. Maybe they will be of a small size. Why, you ask? I can't imagine. ;) --MCB
On St. Patrick's Day, I post about events in St. Paul: the weekend before last, some East Coast Byrnes joined Minnesota Byrnes and many others to remember the life of Mary Lou Oliver Byrne, who died on March 2. Our Aunt Mary Lou was a beautiful, loving, fiery woman whose path intersected with an array of communities, arts, and adventures both within and beyond her family. She was an Irish girl who dipped deeply into her mother's Slavic heritage; I get the watery mouth just imagining her holiday "sauerkraut soup." You can read more about Mary Lou in the eulogy, written by "everybody" (that would be husband Phil and six daughters) and delivered by Betty and Lucy at the funeral Mass. And there was of course an afterparty with champagne, hosted by Nora and John. (See more pictures here.) It was a hard weekend, but also a celebratory one. We felt so hugged and loved by that clan of "everybody," now including
six wonderful young men and nineteen grandchildren, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and second-cousins. We send hugs and
love back for continued mourning and celebrating, and all the changes and surprises they bring. Even before Easter, we can say: He is Risen!--and She receives us all. The pic above was taken on the grounds of St. Joan of Arc parish, church home to Phil and Mary Lou for years.--JEB
No, it's not snowing in North Carolina :) It's actually been misty, temperate and humid--in fact, we at Melleray were treated to an epic thunderstorm on Saturday night!
About the photo above, Donny writes: This is the Sun Gate Aunt Ellie sent for Our Lady of Bear Creek. It is called the Sun Gate because when the sun aligns with it, and rises along that point in the horizon, you know summer is here. In this photo, we are looking through the Sun Gate at winter departing...
...and so we are. Thank you for your wisdom, winter. Now we welcome the wildness of spring, Bacchus and his girls, euan euan euoi-oi-oi-oi! --MCB
Today is the birthday of Lakaisha Nicole Sinkler Byrne, a sister, friend, wife and daughter who never fails to WOW us with whatever she's doing--and wearing! How can one woman in every incarnation be always so effortlessly right and regal!? From stomping in combat boots across muddy fields, to trips to town with her man, to mentoring young folk, to vast creativity in all forms? We marvel and inquire and she just laughs it off, a Pisces dreamer and mischievous trickster. So did you know what Lakaisha's been doing lately?! Did you know she is now a mother too?!...walking this springtime road: the road to birthing her and Don's first baby. The new little one shall be the first grandchild on the Byrne side, and an addition to the beautiful grands on the Sinkler side. We are all so excited! But more on that soon. For today is Lakaisha's day, with love and a blessing: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of Her hand.--JEB
With the first day of March, Donny sends this beautiful gift: an audio essay about water at Melleray. Where we get it from, how we use it, how it shapes life. It made me so nostalgic for the farm, where I'm headed back in only ten days :) Listen here. --MCB