6 Comments
Feb 25Liked by JM Smith

Similar financial circumstances here. I’m hoping to have them resolved by the end of March.. maybe sooner.. it is all in the hands of public servants, and possibly a court appearance to resolve a family matter.

You fathers growing up story, is at once, heartbreaking and inspiring. My grandmother and her siblings belonged to the same generation, as did my grandfather, on my mothers side. Their father deserted them, their mother died of a heart attack at 32, the caring for 5 children proved too much for her.

We,here in Ireland, are a neutral state, although the yanks are allowed to refuel their army carrying jumbos in Shannon Airport.

God knows what else in on those planes, but now, in light of what’s going on in Gaza, that refuelling could be stopped. I say could, not should, as we have a coalition government that is as spineless as it is clueless on all manner of issues. It’s hard to tell the difference between any of the political parties here.

Harry and my grandparents would have got along famously, reminiscing about ‘ the good ol times’.

I am joking of course.

The hardships that your fathers family, even before he was born, are so similar to what my grandparents endured.

The Emergency, as the Irish people were told by Government was our response to the Second World War. Food rationing didn’t end till about 5 years after the end of the war.

De Valera, our PM at the time, sent a letter of condolences to the German people, after Hitler was gone.

We are walking, talking little miracles, Mr.Smith.

It’s a source of wonder to me how our forefathers survived a lifetime of poverty.

Yet here we are, a testament to their strength and tenacity.

We owe it to them to keep getting involved in any struggle against the current system of governance.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, but reading your father’s story always triggers my memory.

Both died before I grew up and could have supported them in their last few years.

Thanks for all of your fabulous work, and letting us share in your fathers story.

Both of you write so well.

I’ll be in touch about some lucre soon. Take care.

👏✍️💚

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Feb 24Liked by JM Smith

I am not in a position right now to subscribe, but I will in the future. Good luck!

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Feb 24Liked by JM Smith

Thank you for your newsletter. I love reading about. your father and you.

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author

Cheers!

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Feb 24Liked by JM Smith

It's well written, I have enjoyed what I have read.

Thank you

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Ta!

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