Coming Up On Fifteen Years

Back in the days when our hair was dark and our future looked bright. Now our hair is bright, and our future looks.... just kidding! Truth be told, we have both gone gray (I think it's been a few years since anyone has caught us together on camera), and we've both put on a few pounds, but life is going well. We certainly have our challenges as a family, but we have been very blessed.


At the Gordon Folger Hotel, Nantucket Island, October 3rd, 1992

There are all sorts of suggestions out there on what the gifts should be for each anniversary year. The last thing in the world that Anne needs is a crystal bowl, or anything like that. We actually packed up all of our wedding crystal a few months ago, when we gave our display hutch to the newlywed daughter of some friends of ours.

No, what my baby needs is a house with more space! As an anniversary gift to each other, we've taken out a new line of credit, in order to make needed repairs and improvements so that we can sell our house properly in order to buy a new one in which we can all fit without being on top of each other all the time. So, we are in "moving mode", in the midst of a housing slump. Keep us in your prayers.

Please pray for me in particular as a husband and a father, especially as a dad. I really do need your prayers and I'd appreciate them. Thank you.



TEISREADH TAIGHE

Dhe, beannaich an ce's na bheil ann
Dhe, beannaich mo cheile is mo chlann,
Dhe, beannaich an re a ta 'na m' cheann,
Is beannaich, a Dhe, laimhseachadh mo laimh;
An am domh eirigh's a mhaduinn mhoich,
Is laighe air leabaidh anamoich,
Beannaich m' eirigh's a mhaduinn mhoich,
Is mo laighe air leabaidh anamoich.

Dhe, teasruig an teach's an t-ardrach,
Dhe, coistrig a chlann mhathrach,
Dhe, cuartaich an spreidh's an t-alach;
Bi-sa fein na'n deigh's da'n taladh,
Duair dhireas ni ri frith's ri fruan,
Duair shineas mi a sios an suan,
Duair dhireas ni ri frith's ri fruan,
Duair shineas mi an sith gu suan.


HOUSE PROTECTING

God, bless the world and all that is therein
God, bless my spouse and my children,
God, bless the eye that is in my head,
And bless, O God, the handling of my hand;
What time I rise in the morning early,
What time I lie down late in bed,
Bless my rising in the morning early,
And my lying down late in bed.

God, protect the house, and the household,
God, consecrate the children of the motherhood,
God, encompass the flocks and the young;
Be Thou after them and tending them,
What time the flocks ascend hill and wold,
What time I lie down to sleep,
What time the flocks ascend hill and wold,
What time I lie down in peace to sleep.