More important than beer
I promised that I’d bring you more news of Ulster Rugby in my last blog, so here it is! Ulster went to Ospreys and were expected to be heavily beaten. I turned on the TV to watch the match, it being in Wales, and thought I’ll just watch until we start to get soundly beaten. After the previous week I did not think my nerves could take a full 80 minutes! So Ulster scored and I thought I’ll watch a bit longer, I ended up watching the whole match! What a great result; 20 – 16 to Ulster.
Not so pleasant was having the score of the Ulster Vs Edinburgh match text to me at the Magnus Barelegs Festival (subject of another blog, Viking Festival Facebook page). How we can play so well in the first half and so badly in the second half? Did the players lose interest? Forget the script? For their first match in a new stand it was a pity they didn’t christen it with a win.
Went to the funeral this morning of a very special lady; Iris McBride. I didn’t know Iris personally but have a glimpse of the woman she was through her daughter Judith, who works with us at Strangford Lough. They say you can tell a lot about someone from their children, so Iris must have been very special!
Iris worked in educating special needs children for 37 years. She set up the special needs school in Downpatrick at the start of her career and by the end they had special premises built for them and were managed by the Education Department not the Health Department, a major shift in emphasis!
One of the children from the school sang so beautifully at the service I had to brush back some tears. The church was full as a mark of respect for this very special lady and I felt privileged to be there. This wasn’t someone who gave up at half time, lost interest or forgot the script! Iris worked hard throughout her life for what she believed in. Rest in peace Iris, the world was a much better place for you having been here.
This afternoon I’m pondering on what they’ll say about me when I’m gone. What is the mark I’ll leave, what is the mark I’d like to leave. Someone looking for me in Killyleagh a couple of years ago was told that I was the big guy with a good voice who sings in St John’s Choir and helps organise the Viking weekend. I guess it is a start, though Tracey my better half would say it is a signal to lose weight!
So what has this to do with beer, absolutely nothing! Believe it or not there are more important things.
