A Tribute to my 27 nieces and nephews

On By auntyamoIn Family, Writing, Blogging etc5 Comments

I love my nieces and nephews so much and am very proud of them. In their honour (cos they are extremely cool), I’d like to do a roll call and share a little memory of each one.

Love you guys, Aunty Amo xxx

Mark Keeley – You stayed with us while your mam was in hospital having Sarah (I think). We got a call in the middle of the night to say she had been born. So I went and woke you up to tell you. I made you cry cos you I mentioned your mammy and then you wanted her. The plan was to make you happy…. #fail 

Lyn Keeley and Sarah Keeley – remember when I used to mind you in the afternoons? We used to listen to music. I think we made up a few dance routines! I remember we listened to Michael Jackson’s Thriller a lot and every time it would get stuck at ‘the funk of 40,000 years’ 

Claire Keeley – has to be when you visited Wales with Laura. We had the craic visiting the Millennium Stadium and the…. information centre! We laughed a lot… mainly at Laura: D Quote of the week has to be, “to the MAX”, sharing joint first place with, “I mean seriously, thank God for hair straighteners!”

Katie Keeley – Kates you were only a few days old when I went to my 2nd debs. Your mam and dad came to the house. I had a Debs dress and a Mohican. You seemed to survive it tho.

Mick Keeley Jnr – Dancing Michael! Mick you were happy to dance with an audience of 1 or 100. I’ve seen many stunning routines over the years. The best has to be Lyn’s 21st. I wasn’t there, but I had heard so much about your performance I had to get the video! I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so funny.

Maria Brett – I spent a lot of my childhood with you  I remember all sorts of mad things like ‘the White Mariah Show’ and playing in the poppies in the back garden in Limekiln Farm, when we weren’t supposed to. I remember going to Brownies once and I don’t think I went again. Remember those twins who put their hats on over the bobbins in their hair? It looked like they had rabbit ears 😀 Oh and there was the time when most of you stayed in Granny’s and you called in (you were staying in Liz’s) and you showed us your line dancing moves, in a space about 1 foot by 1 foot. Wasn’t easy but you did it 😀

Karen Conlon – Bugsy Malone! That was great craic wasn’t it. You played a young black boy if I remember :D. Your song was great and we had the best laugh. You socked it to Breda Sweeney if I remember…. Actually I think you were a bad influence on me. I often got into trouble when I was with you!!!

Brian Sweeney – To be honest Brian, I think you were drunk when this happened. But I bumped into you in the Dragon (or Ahernes can’t remember). We said hello and you gave me a hug and as i walked away someone said, “Who the f*/@ was that?” and laughed. You replied, “shut up you, she’s my aunty and she’s cool!”

Christopher and Susan Sweeney – Your house in Mountain Park was sold and you came and stayed in Granny’s for a while before the Hollow was built. On the first night I looked after you while your ma and da were finishing off emptying the house. Sue, I think I gave you my teddy Aongus McDougal didn’t I? (the low point of that time was when we all had chicken pox together! 😀 )

Peter Kennedy – I remember the day your mam brought you home from hospital. She brought you to Granny’s first. I ran home from school cos I knew you would be there. I ran in the door, through the hall, into the sittingroom… shouting something and was swiftly grabbed by the scruff of the neck and removed from the sitting room and got a smack for making noise and waking you. I owe you one for that 

Emma Kennedy – I remember when you were nearly due to have Jamie. Your mam and dad were away for a few days so I stayed with you. We stayed awake really late talking about the last few months and how crazy it was that you were about to have a baby!!! He turned out tho alright didn’t he 

Brenda Mockler – You and ‘Sinéadds’ spent what felt like a week (but was probably only 5 minutes) telling me about a fella that you fancied. You asked me for advice (which made me feel very cool) and when I told you what I thought you basically told me that I had it all wrong. Then you started giving me dating advice about Darren Byrne. In fairness… it worked 😀

Susan Keane and Jennifer Farrell – more babysitting and dance routines. This time to ‘Hey Frankie’ by Sister Sledge. I still remember the moves! Susan you were an absolute pleasure to mind. Jen…. you weren’t! 😀

Philip Keane – Phil my abiding memory of you is at family parties you would tell dirty jokes. Your ma would be dying a thousand deaths in the corner. You stood in the middle of the room and made us all laugh.

Dillon Keane – Ah me godson  When you were only a few months old I went on holidays to Wexford with you all. The car broke down in the middle of nowhere and it felt like about 3 weeks before anyone came to rescue us. I had to keep you occupied. You were a fun baby  x (PS I have a picture of that day…)

Jean Keeley – I remember a hilarious conversation with you. I think you had just started secondary school and I was asking you about it. You told me that you had to wear slippers in school. I didn’t believe you and you worked hard to convince me. (Actually I’m still not convinced you weren’t winding me up.)

Laura Keeley – (see Claire Keeley 😀 ) Also, when I moved to Wales first you used to write to me. I still have the letters. You were going through a tough time we had this long distance conversation about it. You drew hearts all over the letters and the envelopes. I used to LOVE getting them. 

Beth Keeley – When you were born, you were (and still are) the image of your mam  With so many people in the family, I rarely got to hold babies for very long. (all 27 of you were passed from pillar to post, you know that don’t you?!) But your mam let me hold you and I was delighted that no one took you off me. At one stage you woke up, opened your eyes, looked at me and… went back to sleep. I took it that you were ok with me holding you, and I did… for ages 

Jack Keeley – You were still living in Tallaght at the time. Can’t remember what age you were but you were just about talking. I was in your house. I sat on the floor beside you as you emptied the toy box all over the floor. You had a very serious look on your face. I thought you were looking for something. When it was empty you looked and me and said, “now, you.” Then you went out the back garden. So I put everything back in the toy box – you bossy boots!! 

Jennifer Keeley – Your 1st birthday Jen! Forever preserved on video! Not my favourite memory of you though and you share it with Susan S… It was Granny and Grandad’s 50th wedding anniversary and I came home from Wales for the doooo. You and Susan were practising ‘Ride On’ by Christy Moore. I stood outside and listened to you then burst in the door at the end. You and Sue lept a few feet in the air and screamed. Got a big hug from you both tho 

Christopher Keeley – I remember when you came to Wales with Liz. Everywhere we went you wanted music on in the car so you could sing. We had some monster singsongs in the car – I nearly crashed, more than once  If I’m not mistaken you ended up with a few quid that weekend too 

Kevin Keeley – The first time I saw you on stage in the Olympia I knew you were going to be a star! You were ‘one of the gang’ but you stood out a mile. The bit where you did the news report in Irish was brilliant. Was VERY proud to be a Keeley and an Aunty that night. I have another memory of you as a kid – but it’s about one night when I was babysitting and you called me to come and see what you did and where you did it…. I can’t tell the story, I wouldn’t do that to you… 😀

Liza Keeley – when you were a baby I was staying in Liz Ken’s house and I minded you there for a day and night. There was no cot so you were in the double bed with me. You’d gone to bed about 8 but by 2 am you were wide awake and all chat. You kept crawling under the covers and hiding down the far corner of the bed and I had to pretend I couldn’t find you. You were lots of fun. (for about an hour, then I wanted to brain you 😀 )

Bobby Keeley – you were in Granny’s and you were only a toddler. I was out in the back porch ironing (that in itself is an event!) I could hear you singing Garth Brooks. “Aaaaahhhh got fwends in yooooow paces….” I could hear you but I couldn’t see you. I knew you were close but I couldn’t work out where you where. Then I spotted you, standing underneath the ironing board – singing away 😀 !

Music on a Monday – I am a dancer (well in my heart anyway)

On By auntyamoIn Humour, MusicLeave a comment

You know those questions… “Tell us one thing about you that no one else would know”
Well my thing would be that I love to dance.

Now if you’ve seen me lately, you’ll know i’m not the most delicate of creatures but that rarely stops me 🙂

There is definitely a dancer inside me. (in fact there’s room for a couple of them.) I can’t help it.

I’ve even done… wait for it…. The Hannah Montana Hoedown Throwdown.

A couple of years ago a gang of family were going to Boston for a family wedding. We decided that all the girls would learn the dance for the reception.
Got a REAL dancer to teach us the moves.

And at the wedding reception we all got up and went for it.

I was good, I felt good, I knew the moves, I did the moves, I looked ridiculous.

Looks likes the inner dancer is staying where she is… 😦

Yes, there are photos and no, you can’t see them.

Music on a Monday – Help me write a song!

On By auntyamoIn Music1 Comment

I’m not often stuck for words…. as you will you be aware of if you’ve known me for more than 32 seconds 🙂 But at the moment I’ve so many things I need to write I feel like I’m running out of words.

I have this tune rolling around my head but can’t find any words to put to it.

‘There was a young(ish) woman from Tallaght’ is just not cutting the mustard I’m afraid.

Tell you what… here’s a mad idea. Give me some words and I’ll put them to the tune.

Nothing rude mind!!! Doesn’t have to come out of the Bible but there’ll be no verbal shinanigans!!!!

Go on, throw a few words at me and let’s see what we come up with. 🙂

The Beauty of Submission

On By auntyamoIn Getting to grips with God stuffLeave a comment

I know I’m writing on something that is not a popular subject for a lot of women. But the picture I see of submission in the Bible is beautiful!

I’m aware that through the centuries the picture of leadership and submission has been used against women and in many cases still is. I try not to get into the arguments and debates about it mainly because most women I know who disagree with me are far better debaters than I am. They’ve got their arguments well studied and rehearsed and I am no match for them.

But if I was a stronger debater, and knew my Bible better maybe…. I would argue my point more effectively I’m sure.

To me it is simple. A triune God who in eternity knew that one of them, though equal in status and glory, would have to submit, obey and ultimately suffer. Now there’s a picture for you.

Creation of man and woman and the glorious connection they were to have was marred by deception and sin; and it’s been a struggle ever since! I sometimes wonder what would have happened if Eve had said something like ‘Hey honey, what do you think about what this guy is saying about eating the apple?’
Not asking permission… Just asking his opinion about a pretty big decision.
Not a blow to her human rights or her individuality…. Just a consultation with the other stake holder with a vested interest in their life together.

And then there’s the other picture in the New Testament.
Husbands like Christ.
Wives like the Church.
I’m supposed to be willing to live for him and he’s supposed to be willing to die for me. I reckon I get the easier end of the deal on this one.

Now I’m a big, opinionated woman with a fairly strong character. And I married a quiet man with a gentle spirit. Submission doesn’t come naturally to me, nor does authority come naturally to him. We’ve had to work on it. I was quite happy to run our lives and he was quite happy to let me. Then some very good friends pointed that out to us. And we realised why things were wrong in our marriage. I WANTED him to stand up to me, but never allowed him to! It was all wrong.

Now everything is different. I’m still as loud as I ever was and to the onlooker it probably doesn’t look different!

I know I am blessed to be married to someone who doesn’t try to stifle my individuality. And I know that not every Christian woman is married to a man that loves her as Christ loves the Church and gave himself for her.

Maybe submission isn’t beautiful now! But it was meant to be!

Yes! The authority of men has been used against women, yes there are Christian men who wield their authority like a light sabre. And yes there are women who crouch under if in fear.
But I thank my God in Heaven that I don’t. I think it’s beautiful!

Music from my Mammy – Remembering Betty 6 years on

On By auntyamoIn Family, Music1 Comment

My Mam died 6 years ago today. She sang this song at births, marriages, goodbyes and any other party that we might have had.
Hearing this song is a memory the whole family shares – so this is for all the Keeleys 🙂

May you always walk in sunshine,
slumber warm when night winds blow
May you always live with laughter
for a smile becomes you so
May good fortune find your doorway
may the bluebird sing your song
May no trouble travel your way
may no worry stay too long
May you heartaches be forgotten
may no tears be spilled
May old acquaintance be remembered
and your cup of kindness filled
An may you always be a dreamer
may your wildest dreams come true
May you find someone to love
as much as we love you

Music on a Monday – Singing in the Strength of the Lord

On By auntyamoIn Getting to grips with God stuff, MusicLeave a comment

Ten minuets before I was due to sing on Sunday morning I came over all unnecessary! I always feel a bit tired on Sunday mornings. Well every morning actually…. But usually after the practise I’m raring to go.

Just before the service started I felt really unwell. When we sang the first hymn, I didn’t sing a word – didn’t even feel like I could stand up. I was to sing 3 songs and wondered if I’d be able to get to the end of the first one.
The theme of the service was asking the question, Where does your confidence lie? To be honest I was listening but not applying the question to my situation. (Common mistake of mine) As the girl leading the service announced that we were about to sing, in a split second I thought ‘I can’t do this today…’ then I was up off my chair and on the platform.
I looked at the words and saw the first line that I would sing and they were, ‘In Christ alone, my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.’ I smiled to myself and off I went.

By the time I got to third song (which I had to start on my own as it was new), I felt like I had my mojo back .

My confidence has had a few knocks lately but on Sunday I really felt the strength of God helping me and encouragement to keep my confidence in Him and not myself.

It also reminded me of a blog post from November 2008. I’ve shared a bit below…

“…The other thing that has happened lately is a change in my singing. Well, actually a change in my attitude to my singing. I had this funny feeling after singing a few weeks ago. Didn’t know what it was but it was nice. It happened a couple of times and I probably should have prayed about it but didn’t.

I went into my boss’s office a couple of weeks ago and he has a picture of Eric Lidell on his window ledge. I have seen it loads of times but I picked it up that day and read what was underneath it. It was the (seemingly) famous quote of his. When he runs he feels God’s pleasure. I stopped in my tracks. THAT WAS IT. THAT WAS THE FEELING God’s pleasure.

I couldn’t believe it. I mean I can sing, I know that. But I’m no Kiri Te Kanawa by any means. But sometimes He’s deligted to hear me sing and sometimes lets me know.

And it happended again this evening. What a feeling it is. I am so unworthy of His love, it’s amazing.

My precious Father, help me abide in you and abide in me that I may be better at serving you. I love you Lord!“

Voting for the first time at 38

On By auntyamoIn Getting to grips with God stuff, Random Ramblings2 Comments

Well I finally did it! I voted in a general election for the first time.

I can hear you all, crying ‘SHAME’ Yes I know that people died for my right to vote. But they also died for so that Irish people could be governed with integrity. That doesn’t always happen either!

I have to say, I haven’t ‘not voted’ from apathy. I don’t sit at home thinking, ‘ah stuff it, I couldn’t be bothered.’ I haven’t voted before cos I haven’t thought it mattered, or that it would make a difference. If I see a local counsellor in Tallaght working hard, serving the people with integrity I’m loathed to do anything that might help him to get to the Dáil. The nearer they get to the top the less they can fight for local issues and the more they have to fight for countrywide issues AND more importantly the more they have to compromise on the one thing that makes them worthy of my vote – integrity.

Having said all that, I didn’t vote with enthusiasm last Friday. I am not sure that any party would have done any better. Who’s to say that they would not have been drunk on the same wine as Fianna Fáil? Are you sure they wouldn’t have been blinded by the money and the lure of the bankers and property developers? I’m not.

I acutally kinda like Micheál Martin. But there’s no way they could be allowed back in, I just felt I had to do my part to stop them… even though I hate the fact that now they can sit in opposition and criticise away to their hearts content.

Lastly, I need to clear up the whole nonsense of the , ‘if you don’t vote you don’t have the right to complain.’ Eh actually yes I do! No matter who we vote for or not, the government should govern for us all. The taosieach is our taoiseach whether we voted for him, the other guy or no one at all. He’s supposed to lead a government that rules the country for our good.

So give up yer grousing.
But as I voted this time, it should keep yiz quiet on that one!!!!

Music on a Monday – A song and a prayer….

On By auntyamoIn Getting to grips with God stuff, MusicLeave a comment

I have been writing songs for a long time. Evidently I’m not THAT good or else I’d have been scooped up by now and I’d be living in Nashville, next door to Keith and Kristyn 

As a teenager I was fairly dismal in my outlook. And most of the songs I wrote reflected that. I listened to The Cure and The Smiths. I was never happier than when I was miserable, sitting with my guitar and bemoaning of the meaninglessness of life. I wrote a song called ‘The Puppet Show’ about someone who I thought was my friend, but actually they were just using me and I was their puppet – I didn’t realise they were deciding what I would do and wear and listen to. Bizarre teenage years!!!!

These days when I’m writing songs they usually come from prayers. (Just moaning again really) Some times I don’t know what to pray. Or I’ve prayed the same prayer so many times that I just feel I can’t ask for that same thing again. So I pick up the guitar and suddenly the prayer I couldn’t say comes out in a song. I would say 99 out of 100 tunes disappear into oblivion. But the odd time a tune stays with me and becomes a real song.

The real difference is that, like some of the Psalms (though not as good obviously) no matter how hopeless my songs start, they always end up with hope and comfort from God.
I’m so glad that my songs that have been written in times of near hopelessness don’t end there.

I love music. I’m not a highly trained, dazzlingly talented musician. But I do love it and it makes me very happy.

How’s my profile looking?

On By auntyamoIn Getting to grips with God stuff, HumourLeave a comment

Got one of those personality profiles done. The only thing that surprised me was it was so accurate.

It says that I need “applause” and that if I don’t feel appreciated that I actually get tired and indecisive.

The maddest bit was, one comment on the profile said,
“she will be de-motivated if she is not invited into meetings with her peers.”
I was amazed by that.
I used to work in a team of 7 or 8 people. There was one meeting each week that I was not part of. It was just a coincidence, I wasn’t involved in that area of our team’s work, and the others who were not involved had a half day on the day that meeting would be on.
So I manned the phones for the team during that meeting.
I did not like it at all! Even though I knew there was a valid reason for me not being there.
The worst bit was if someone popped in and wondered why I was the only one not at the meeting and I would be at pains to explain. I remember the feeling so well and I was shocked to see the words in black and white in the profile.

It did make me laugh tho!
How do they get those profiles so right? It’s amazing.

So what does it all mean?

Well if you don’t read my blog, follow me on Twitter and RT when you do then…

I might cwy.

Oh by the way the profile also suggests that I have a very ‘persuasive’ style

aka emotional blackmail 🙂

Music on a Monday – Singing the Praises of Marriage

On By auntyamoIn Family, Getting to grips with God stuff, MusicLeave a comment

I’ve just discovered two great songs about marriage. One is called ‘Lead Me’ by Sanctus Real.

And the one I totally love is “Dancing in the Minefields” by Andrew Peterson
It is a song about a couple who married young and are looking back on it after 15 years. The chorus goes,
“We went dancing in the minefields,
we went sailing in the storm.
And it was harder than we dreamed,
but I believe that’s what the promise is for.”

That line just sums it up for me! When Rich and I married we didn’t REALLY know each other. And even though we took our vows very seriously and wrote them ourselves based on Ephesians 5, I don’t think we really knew what we were promising.

Within two years of marriage we had lost Richard’s Dad and any hope of having children.
“It was harder than we dreamed but I believe that’s what the promise is for!”

Another line I love is,
“‘Cause the only way to find your life
Is to lay your own life down
And I believe it’s an easy price
For the life that we have found.”

These are encouraging words. And if when my marriage isn’t really like this. It’s a good thing to aspire to.

Links to Lead Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLr6G8Xy5uc
and Dancing in the Minefields http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gs3fg_WsEg

They’re worth a listen 🙂