Shoulder-to-shoulder Spaights

Saturday was a bright and cheery day in County Clare. The rain, which was expected, passed over and the massive farmlands were showered with glimmering rays of sun instead. An early morning mist blanketed the grass, which dimmed the land to a frosty shade of green. Gone was the wave of heat that caused so many farmers discomfort and a pleasant cool breeze soothed everyone instead.     Donie Spaight lived through many days like today, only this day would prove to be more memorable than any of those days that passed. He eagerly awaited for the arrival of some guests. Special guests. He looked up the dirt road that led to his cottage in Derryfadda to see it empty, except for a few grazing cows and wondered what his guests would look like. Some of them, like Flan and Mary, he remembered at his daughter, Suzanne's wedding a few years back. But Michael, Antoinette, Una, Carmel, and Christy he hadn't seen since they were youngsters. 
     Donie put up his hand to shield the blazing sunlight from his eyes and squinted again at the road.  This time he saw a tiny billow of dirt rise from behind a beige minvan. Nearer and nearer the van approached leaving a lengthy trail of dust behind it, until Donie could hear the tires crackle on the stones of gravel that carpeted his driveway.  Just when Flan, Mary, and her family stepped out to greet Donie, he saw two more cars in the distance. Flan and Donie hugged, then Mary advanced to embrace her older cousin. "Mary?" Donie gasped, "Don't you look fine. And these two?" he motioned towards her two children. Mary stood behind her son and daughter and made the introduction, "This is Mairtin" and "here is my youngest, Mary."
     "No, yer pullin' me leg. Aern't yer now?" Donie had seen pictures of them as infants, and he forgot that those pictures were more then twenty years old.
     Two more car doors slammed shut, and Donie looked up to see more cousins."How are ya,' Donie. Remember me? called out Antoinette.
     " I most certainly do, young lady," he replied. "But you have to help me with the rest of yer clan, there."
     After the introductions were made, Donie's wife, Kathleen brought out a huge pitcher of freshly squeezed lemonade.  They each filled a glass with cubes of ice and sipped the most welcome cold beverage. Donie did not want to waste such a beautiful day, so he and Kathleen had prepared for an outdoor barbeque. While they sat and caught up on old times, they heard two more car doors close, which was followed by an unfamiliar voice asking: "Hello, Hello, is anybody home?" after which a female  voice queried: "Mmmm . . .maybe ther're in the back?" Donie stood and waved to them. Then he smiled so wide his cheeks ached. Now he began to feel emotional and reverently gasped, "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and all the saints . . . ." Michael walked to his cousin and hugged him, then announced: "Donie, here is my little angel, Evan, me wife Orla, and . . ." Donie slowly stepped forward, covering both hands over his mouth, all the while unsuccessfully trying to stifle his sobbing and wailed: " Jim and Billie. . .Jim and Billie. . .it's Jim and Billie. . . ." His voice trailed off and he grabbed each to hug them tight as they all walked to the back of the house. They never made it there since the entire Spaight clan had already followed Donie to the front of his house where Jim (aka Paddy) and Billie were warmly greeted by each one.      After Donie swallowed his last bit of Irish soda bread, he looked at all the faces in front of him and silently offered a solemn prayer of thanks and also thought of the many loved ones who passed on. Most assuredly, this Saturday was a bright and cheery day and an occassion Donie will always remember.