Words for the Journey – Two Irishmen

Peggy Santos, James Comes, Roseyn Devlin

While writing this post, I received a notice from former Affiliate Board member, Joe Santos that his wife Peggy had passed away. Except for a memorial celebration, we don’t normally include notices when an Affiliate dies. However, besides corresponding with the timing of the post, Peggy was an especially gentle, strong and kind woman who lived out her journey very well.

The Photo of Peggy, Jim Comes (Boston Chapter) and Roseyn Devlin (Hawaii Affiliate) is courtesy of Roseyn sent to me from Hugh Menton, Co-Regional Coordinator. of California & Hawaii. Peggy and Joe participated in several California Affiliate Chapters through the years.

The Two Irishmen …Some words for the journey

John O’Donohue [Left] (1956 – 2008) - Mystic, author, philosopher, poet

Quote: I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.

 Pádraig Ó Tuama [Right] (1975 - ) – Mystic, poet, theologian

Poem: The Facts of Life

That you were born and you will die

 That you will sometimes love enough
and sometimes not.

 That you will lie
if only to yourself.

 That you will get tired.

 That you will learn most from the situations
you did not choose.

 That there will be some things that move you more than you can say.

 That you will live
that you must be loved.

 That you will avoid questions most urgently in need of
your attention.

 That you began as the fusion of a sperm and an egg of two people who once were strangers and may well still be.

 That life isn’t fair.

That life is sometimes good
and sometimes even better than good.

 That life is often not so good.

 That life is real
and if you can survive it, well,
survive it well
with love
and art
and meaning given
where meaning’s scarce.

That you will learn to live with regret.
That you will learn to live with respect.

 That the structures that constrict you
may not be permanently constricting.

 That you will probably be okay.

 That you must accept change
before you die
but you will die anyway.

 So you might as well live
and you might as well love.
You might as well love. You might as well love.