"One of the greatest things in human life is the ability to make plans. Even if they never come true - the joy of anticipation is irrevocably yours. That way one can live many more than just one life."

Maria Trapp-The Story of the Trapp Family Singers - Ch. 12 p. 4

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

- St. Augustine

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Friendship, Loyalty, Love


The claddaugh is an Irish tradition. It's heart, hands and crown represent true love, bound by fidelity and friendship. It is used in jewelry, weddings and art to symbolize lifelong true love. Doug and David created a unique double-hearted claddaugh with our initials in the hearts when Doug and I were engaged. Doug had a pendant made from David's design as an engagement gift and we used the art for our wedding invitations. 

This week, in celebration of receiving permission from Doug's company to take the vacation time  for Ireland THIS MAY!! we finally installed the claddaugh door-knocker given us by the same friend who gave us our Ireland trip. Nearly 12 years since using the cladduagh in our wedding, it's virtues of fidelity, friendship and love are still those which we seek to fill our home and marriage with.

As it turns out, friendship, fidelity and love are not only emblematic of our love for one another. What truer friendship is there but one which chooses to show love for us and for the God who allowed us to be together by faithfully saving on our behalf for a decade to give us the opportunity to see the home of the claddagh for ourselves? Our lives have been filled with the blessings of friendship, fidelity and love at every turn and I hope that everyone who enters our home will experience what they see when they pass through our front door.

For more on the story of the claddagh, try here: The Story of the Claddagh

1 comment:

  1. I know everyone who enters your home experiences many blessings! What a wonderful gifts to you. It's great that the giver will be able to see and hear about your travels. As I've seen in the past you WILL make the most of your time in Ireland!!

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