"It is in the shelter of each other that the people live." Irish Proverb
My grandmother, Catherine Carter, left her homeland of Ireland at the young age of seventeen. She set sail for America seeking adventure with a burning desire to live out the dreams of her potential. Cate was the oldest of six children. Her brother Charlie (age 12) took her in a horse drawn carriage to the waterfront port. Her youngest brother, David was so upset with her leaving that he ran and hid and did not say goodbye. 
Kate traveled the long ocean journey alone. She arrived in New York and worked as a governess. She married James Lawler and together they raised six children. Cate never returned to Ireland. She never set eyes on her family again, never felt their warm embrace; never heard the love in their voices.
Mom often recounted stories for us of grandma’s family life on a farm in Ballyquirke, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny. I’ve held fond images in my mind as I imagined her family life in this far off distant land. Through the years, my brothers and sisters dreamed of taking mom to visit Ireland but the “right time” never came to be.
Recently, a friend invited me to accompany her on a trip to Ireland. Initially, I did not see how I could possibly go due to circumstances and the timing was “not quite right.” Then something in me said, “say yes!” I decided I could not pass up this opportunity.
I fell in love with the people I met in Ireland. Although, I only spent a short day and a half with my relatives it was a deeply emotional experience for me. The Carter family all live near to one another and most within a three-mile radius. They see each other often and life is wonderfully communal. We spent an evening in the kitchen, a group of women talking in their lyrical sing-song way. They spoke of nothing consequential, yet of everything that matters.
I discovered something very precious in their way of life. I was completely taken in by their warm hospitality. I experienced a longing to stay with them and I did not want to leave. I was homesick for my newly met family and their enchanting way of being and living life as I had never known.
Although, I knew I would soon leave Ireland I wanted to keep this gift of hospitality alive within. I’ve been reflecting on the meaning of hospitality and next week I will share more about this with you.
~liz Sorensen Wessel
Journal of Sacred Work 
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