I’m feeling more and more comfortable. I know where at least one family lives, and can make my way to the petrol station where we have an account, and to the grocery store nearest where I live – all without GPS. Happy days.
Overall things are going well, and I feel more connected to Belfast, and the people I’m meeting; I think they have a better handle on who I am, too.
As usual, I look for themes and patterns, as a way to manage what I might not know, to build on what’s come before, and to gain information about children, families, and culture.
I realized that my coworkers report weekly, on suicides they’ve learned about in the news or from family. As we drove around picking up children for after school last week, we passed a house with teenagers pouring out of the open door, leaning on railings, smoking and talking. It was the home of a young woman who had committed suicide, and she was being waked there. Home wakes are still fairly common in Northwest Belfast.
The statistics are staggering; I’ve included a link: https://www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/2019/02/27/suicide-statistics-and-policy-in-northern-ireland/
Brooklyn to Belfast 
So sad. You must be learning so much. And if I know you, they are learning so much from you. Love ya
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Thanks Loretto… or is this Celeste? Celeste, if it’s you, you’re showing up as Loretto… either way, thank you, thank you… xoxoxoxo
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This must all be so difficult, but as the small rewards build (finding ones own way around being one!) I hope they balance the tough stuff. Knowing you, they will and probably already have. Keep those photos coming too…
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And what tragic, alarming statistics, too.
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Hi Pam, some of my ancestors come from Lurgan, Co. Armagh (father’s side) – it’s not far from Belfast. I was the first one to return (1990’s), others have been to Ireland but not to Lurgan. One thing I can say is that you know exactly where you are by all the flags and tricolor coding on the footpaths. I remember seeing it as a scary place with a fortified police station, and people had such harsh accents. I learned my name is pronounce haaaaaarrrrre.
I think I walked all over Belfast to all of the different neighborhoods – documented all the wall paintings. One time I walked past a pub at closing time and watched people spill out dead drunk – lots of broken glass, and thanked God my ancestors left or were ejected from Ireland (some as convicts – mother’s side.). But I love Ireland – all of it. I’m really loving your blog, and all the insights – and the little things.e.g., using the word petrol.
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Thank you Peter! The accent IS hard, and really tricky for me to “do”. There are certain words that are said in ways that I just love – “purr” = poor, “shkyool” = school, “Mum-MAY” = Mummy/Mommy… stuff like that. I love the families I get to work with, despite their challenges, and their challenging comments and decisions. The children are all “gorgeous”. Northwest Belfast is a hard place, and one that history and the government have not been kind to. There is generational poverty, drug addiction, teen pregnancy, etc. It’s hard for Americans to wrap their heads around, but there is still an active and significant divide between Protestants and Catholics; it effects everything in NW Belfast. Those banners, flags, buntings, fortified fences and walls, as well as the murals are all still here. Slow changes are being made, but systemic issues are hard to dismantle. The people I work with are incredibly resilient, and always have the children first; there is great joy being fostered during our time with them. I’m so glad you’re still reading the blog. I, too, am falling in love with all of Ireland. When I get back, we’ll have to catch up and share stories! Love, Pam
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You really did challenge yourself and I admire that so much. What an amazing experience and one that will stay with you always.
I am finally catching up with your blog, as I mentioned to you, I have had a terrible time posting replies. Finally, it is all cleared up. Trust me to make something so simple very complicated. Better late than never.
Suicide is always very sad but the suicide of a young person is especially heartbreaking. All that potential gone. It is a culture that breeds such hopelessness and it has for many, many years.
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I’m glad it’s worked out! So happy to get your comments!
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