A memorable Easter run in foreign sun

On a warm Spring morning in a beautiful island, a wind and rain beaten Mayo girl soaks up the sunshine and the happy vitamin D. I’m off to Lanzarote for a well-deserved break but more so for the other half who has worked outdoors in rain since June, finished off with a busy lambing season.

Away for Easter Sunday but that’s OK. I know the Easter Bunny will definitely visit us and a celebration in style will be had on return, because for family that’s very important. Easter was and always will be a very special occasion. For years growing up it was an extended family celebration as big as Christmas; my uncle, whether he was based in Mayo or Galway, opened up the house, gathered all his siblings and their children to share company, laughter and fun over wonderful food, everyone sharing stories of past and present times.

A man of many talents, he had a wonderful, interesting way of informing us of many, many family stories, that struck a chord, that created a picture of our grandparents, of what life was like for our aunts and uncles in times gone by. He filled us in on our heritage, our history, he was like an encyclopaedia of information.

A man of very wise words; making a point of sitting and chatting to each and every one of us, young and old, no matter what the interests, talents and beliefs were; the day never long enough, some making the most of an overnight. The landlines hopping for days before, back and forth making last minute plans. The commitment of all family members both near and far dropping everything to make the ‘Easter party’ year in, year out and we did, each and every year through all stages of life because he was a wonderful man.

My Dad played football at a high level until I was well into my teens. There was always a competitive match on Easter Sunday, him for weeks before hand requesting an early start and many a quiet car trip if a match went to extra time. My husband then played football and it resulted in similar problems, often following us after and then the next generations matches began.

The nights out were the next obstacle to be fitted in. The youth needing to be home in time for the Easter disco, convincing cousins to stay down to experience the one and only nightclub, “The Valk” in Ballinrobe, and so they did.

The bonding and friendships being developed further through the nightlife in South Mayo extended back to the house for more chats and bonding, sometimes the older folk joining in.

Little did we know as youngsters the significance of the uncle’s Easter parties, the closeness being formed between all the cousins, us all getting to know each other so well. A bond being formed with aunts and uncles, in-laws and youngsters. A year never missed until my Uncle fell ill when Covid hit. My uncle later passed away, and Easter Sunday took on a different meaning.

We wondered what do people do on Easter Sunday? We began to spend the day with just our own. With the long school holidays, we headed off to a familiar and beautiful place. On returning home, a celebration was always had with relatives. Sometimes being away was easier to cope as the distraction of being in a faraway but familiar place can make dealing with sadness easier. When in a happy, busy place one is occupied, consumed with the present and sometimes one hasn’t time to reflect. Of course one is not forgetting but coping with a different kind of day. Being at home can bring lots of wonderful memories but a want for the good old times to return always exists.

And so on Easter Sunday morning, a memorable run is a must for me. It is a way of remembering but also overcoming some sadness, finding a smile instead of a tear when one pictures faces, hears voices and remembers the laughter. A way of grieving but also enjoying the very happy occasions, being thankful and mindful for so, so much. No matter how bad things seem, it’s never as bad as what some have gone through and are now experiencing.

On a run I sometimes dream, this makes one look forward, not back. Today I look forward to continue gathering family members together for home cooked food, wonderful company and to chat to everyone when I can because I do love cooking, entertaining and spending time with family. I have my uncle to thank for this.

The children and hubby are most important and especially on Easter Sunday as they also have memories. I need to be a happy mummy on return; an early dawn rising, a beautiful warm breeze, glowing blue sky, greenish blue sea, red volcanic mountains up ahead ignited by a bright orange sunrise. A few early walkers and runners, just like myself, are out before the world awakens.

The thing about this memorable run: it’s a long one. Yes, I have the miles and time on the watch but I’m not focusing on speed, heart rate, minute per mile today. Because it can be an emotional run, one uses it to park, recover and return refreshed. One can experience happiness, sadness, loneliness, grief, anger, loss, hurt and thankfulness. One can shed a tear, I tend not too because being a soft soul, if I start I won’t stop so it’s easier be strong. I begin to think of all the nights spent at our house after Mayo matches; the post mortems, the ifs, buts and only for the silence for the RTÉ news, the history stories, the Christmas presents bought for all the grandkids, the weddings, the christenings, the parties, the simple but wonderful times and how the kids ask today “mam when are the cousins coming”. The celebrations continue but in a different way.

In life we must adapt and move on. That’s not forgetting, it’s remembering with fondness, celebrating in one’s memory, a wonderful life. In life we meet inspirational people, people who really do make the most of everything, no matter what the era or times one can maximise opportunities that do exist.

Our uncle did just that, he worked on the islands when there was no electricity but they formed a Co-op and eventually brought power to the island. He cycled to and from school, matches, dances, and he helped farm the land as a young teen in a time when the horse and cart were like a high powered John Deer tractor today.

Playing championship football when the ball was leather, cycling to matches when the high nelly was the transport and the dancehall was the celebration. He went to college in a faraway place in Maynooth, travelled all over Ireland and abroad to Australia twice. In his working life he made necessary changes for the benefit of people while facing challenges, resentment, obstacles but persevered knowing and believing it was the right thing to do.

Having helped many people through tough times, nothing was an obstacle. Everything was manageable and so we grew up learning that challenge pushed us further, perseverance was showing strength, and always do the right thing because it’s much easier than the wrong. A couple of hours sleep will do, never miss a party or occasion. Everything was possible.

I've ran to the city of Arrecife, six miles out from the hotel. It’s time to turn back. This morning, I didn’t notice the beautiful sky, beach or sea or the other runners as I was consumed in memories; all wonderful, of times gone by. Now heading back, I must look forward and begin to plan the day ahead but most importantly the Easter celebrations on returning home.

A family gathering with food, laughter, and lots of Easter eggs, as everyone gave up something for Lent (maybe not all for religious reasons) but to know that everyone can be strong, everyone can do without something, everyone can make a sacrifice. In life we must make sacrifices and giving up something instils that toughness in us; when we do lose something or someone, we have some coping mechanisms.

In a world where we think we have everything, doing without something we love can be hard lessons learnt. For the children, it was chocolate and wow do they love chocolate. It’s everywhere, from cakes, decorating, hot chocolate, chocolate milk. On returning back, no one is awake, everyone peaceful and so am I. There is a very fond person looking down on us all today and he would be so proud of all his wonderful extended family.

The eyes begin to awake and they jump out to the bottom of the beds overwhelmed. “The Easter Bunny arrived, Mam.” We must have breakfast first and then ring the family to wish them all a Happy Easter. Yes, what a wonderful thought.

I leave out my runners to dry. As I breathe, I am so very thankful for years of Easter celebrations with all my extended family. For now it’s living in the moment with the next generation, football matches not to be missed and be back for the disco tonight, all will be fitted in.

I look up to the beautiful blue sky and quietly say: “Thanks for all those years, the books at Christmas, uniting our family in a beautiful way, for bringing our past family history to life, teaching us life’s experiences and everything else. As the poem you parted on read - miss me but let me go…..” Today this island describes a song once loved; Isle of hopes, Isle of dreams, Isle of sadness, Isle of tears but most of all today, it’s an Isle of peace. I look forward to a later but different Easter gathering on returning back home.