My Mom Would Be Proud

When Nuala Hayes and I went to the Aidan Heavey Library in Athlone yesterday for her storytelling session, we were met by Mae McLynn and Gearoid O’Brien, who work at the library, and by Paula O’Dornan, who works for the Westmeath County Library system.  It was the first time I’d seen them this summer and Mae said, “We have a surprise for you.” Gearoid ran up stairs and came back with this library card.  That’s me in the lower right hand corner of the Westmeath County Library Card!  It was taken while I was telling at the library last summer.  I think Paula must have taken it.

I’ve been thinking about my mom this summer, and actually last summer too.  When we were beginning to plan the festival last year I realized that both the librarians involved were called Mary, just like my mom, who was also a librarian.  I took it as a good sign and evidently it was because the festival has been realized. I think she would have loved meeting the librarians, seeing their libraries, and hearing all the storytellers.  She had passed away by the time I got involved in storytelling, so she never heard me perform – not on stage anyway. I’ve been enjoying imagining how much fun she would be having if she were here.   

Comments

How nice to see yer face on da' card, lass.