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an Irish tale

It’s Monday and it’s snowing again. After hearing about the toasty summer-like weather in California while chatting with my family on Saturday, I’m slightly disappointed. Come on, Spring, hurry up! Warm sun, green blades of grass, blooming flowers… Anyone else in need of a divertissement? I stumbled upon this great little story a while ago on The Irish Way and thought you folks might enjoy it as much as I did. I hope it helps lift your spirit if it need lifting, warm your heart, put a smile on your face, and help your work day go by a tad quicker!

Stiofain Gael MacGeough popped in and shared a great story with us …

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions.

 

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

 

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play.

 

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man.

 

And as I played ‘Amazing Grace,’ the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.

 

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I never seen nothin’ like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.”

 

Apparently, I’m still lost… It’s a man thing.

the irish way

Only 13 days until good ole’ St. Patty’s Day!

xoxo

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1 Comment

  • Reply Madeline

    Haha!!

    March 5, 2013 at 5:32 pm
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