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Here's the story Motherhood - It will change your life We are sitting at lunch when my daughter usually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family". "We're taking a survey," she says, half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations...."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.
I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is alright.
I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of flattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years - not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or a cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reach across the table, squeeze my daughter's hand and offer a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.
This blessed gift from God . . . that of being a Mother.
The increase in non-nationals working in the Irish economy has had an adverse effect on the road traffic accident statistics.
Despite representing only 9% of the workforce deaths of non-nationals represents 25% of the total number who have lost their lives on Irish roads in 2006. Many of these were uninsured, untaxed and possibly unlicensed. A recent drink-driving blitz by Gardai revealed that a third of those arrested over a particular weekend were non-nationals.
New laws have been announced that will make it compulsory for motor-cycle drivers to undergo training, thus removing the ridiculous situation whereby any untrained 16-year old could buy a motor-cycle and take it out onto the road without any training whatsoever.
The laws for 'provisional' driving licence holders is to be changed also. The current situation allows for drivers to drive their car while waiting for a driving test when they can become fully licensed. Some Irish drivers continue to hold a 'provisional' driving licence for decades, never having passed the driving test. The new law will prevent the 'failed' driver from leaving the test centre in their car and will make it illegal for them to drive while unlicensed.
DEBATE ON NUCLEAR ENERGY IN IRELAND HEATS UP
The recent focus on high oil prices has prompted the debate on nuclear energy to be revisited. The island nature of the Irish economy has meant that energy prices are even higher in Ireland than in other EU economies. Some commentators have suggested that nuclear energy is the only viable medium-term solution, especially while alternative energy supplies continue to be either too expensive or low-yielding. Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahearn has ruled out any immediate investment in nuclear energy.
GROCERIES ORDER ABOLISHED
The controversial Groceries Order has been abolished. This law forbade the selling of grocery items at below-cost prices as it was seen to give an advantage to larger supermarkets who could purchase in bulk. While this helped out smaller retailers it did little to help put consumers who could not benefit from the buying power of the larger shops. it has been estimated that the lifting of the ban could save as much as EURO 100 per month on the household shopping bill. Irish grocery prices continue to be among the highest in Europe.
IRISH INCOME TAX AMONG WORLDS LOWEST
A report by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) has stated that Ireland has one of the lowest rates of income tax in the developed world. Only 8% of gross earnings of a one-income family with 2 children is taxed, when state benefits are added back. Critics of the Irish taxation regime point out that the exorbitant 21% value added tax (sales tax) on most goods more than makes up for the relatively benign income tax regime. Unmarried workers earning the average industrial wage face income taxation of 26%.
IRISH HOUSE PRICES CONTINUE TO DEFY EXPECTATIONS
The Irish property market continues to appreciate at record levels. A slowdown in the rate of growth in the last part of 2005 has been shaken off as the market for new and second-hand houses continues to boom. The average price of a second-hand house in Dublin increased by EURO 40,000 in the first 3 months of 2006 - a 10.4% increase! Some real estate estimates put the annual increase of Dublin houses at 25% in the 12 months up to March 2006.
Recent interest rate hikes by the European Central bank have had little effect on the Irish market where demand continues to exceed supply. Some banks are now offering 40-year and 'interest-only' mortgages.
IRISH DOCTORS UNDER FIRE
The problems of over-crowding in Irish accident and emergency wards continues unabated. The Irish Health Minister Mary Harney has criticised local doctors for failing to provide out-of hours service. Most Irish General Practioneers close their surgeries at 5pm, Monday to Friday. This has resulted in patients turning to Public Hospitals as their preferred local doctor is unavailable, claimed the Minister.
ICE CREAM MANUFACTURER APOLOGIES
Ice-cream manufacturer 'Ben & Jerrys' has issued an apology for the insensitive naming of a recent flavour of their ice cream. The 'Black & Tan' flavour is thus far only available in the US and is based on the drink of the same name. The Black and Tans were a notorious and vicious British militia employed during the 1919-1921 Irish war of independence, led by Michael Collins.
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Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree
Live mystical, magical leprechauns who are clever as can be.
With pointed ears, turned up toes and little coats of green,
The leprechauns make their shoes, trying hard to ne'er be seen.
Only those who really believe have seen these little elves.
If you believe and look with your heart, you can see them yourselves.
I am a Irish Pastor interested in laughter and reaching deep into my Heart to share not only my thoughts but to invoke a response from your spirit.
My background Ph.D.,Th.D., D.D., D.Litt., MRE.
Linguist, Pastor/Teacher Theological Historian Archaeologist Philosopher.
Employing a research-laden approach to the analysis of God's Word in the Old and New Testaments, unfolding and presenting teaching in context with history and the sciences. A Biblical Historical linguist with command of twenty languages, I dig deeply into numerous collection of ancient manuscripts to find and communicate the purest understanding of what the original inspired writers of the Bible had to say.