A wandering Irish storyteller and folklorist passed a time in Alberta recently.

A wandering Irish storyteller and folklorist passed a time in Alberta recently, visiting family and dipping into his storehouse of treasures at several gatherings. a certain quantity of of his stories evoked laughter while others were more thought-provoking. the same image caught my imagination more than others.

He talked about the "banshee," a woman of the Sidhe, also known as the fairy folk or the upright folk. In Ireland, stories are told of in what manner the banshee wails when someone is about to die, sending shivers by the and of those who hear her. common of the old men listening said he had heard the banshee wail twice for common family. The storyteller cast different lights forward her role. While some could descry her as a fearful precursor of death, he said she wailed to suffer the community know that a particular family would be grieving the los of a member. Her wails were a call that they would be in ne of support. I deliberation about all the faithful ecclesiastical body members who gather the community to prepare and oblige food when a family be affected bys a loss. I thought about those who sit with family when they are dying and comfort grieving family members.

He talked of for what cause she would wail during the hard times when nation were crushed through poverty and oppression and it appeared their lives were worth nothing. He imagined her nearness to be a sign to the suffering population that while crushed in this world, they were not forgotten in the other world. The banshee and others lamented for them and what was happening to them. I meditation about those who organize vigils, memorials, affirms and other activities that say, "we will not forget you."

The community in Edmonton gathers each October to deem our members who are homeles It's individual way to say, "we do not forget you." The stats are then used to advocate for more safe and affordable housing and raise public awareness. This was my first year to offer As you may imagine, it was a humbling experience. It was a chilly night following Edmonton's first major snowfall of the year. Our first stop was outside a day labour office where several men were clustered. sum of two units agreed to talk to us, another said he had already been reckoned and the fourth walked away.

I had substanceed my mittens in my endure so I could make notes. Noticing my frosty fingers, the gentleman offered me his heavy work glove which I took, while he enjoin his hands in his tolerate He said the most important thing is to be warm in your heart and that he take delight ins giving to other people. His buddy talked frankly of being addicted, of not liking himself and wishing he could change himself. They the couple talked about caring for each other in succession the street, sharing the work and sharing a bottle after work.

Others we met took time as well to make known us about themselves, and then to warn us to be careful and take care. undivided man disliked the men's shelter, while another said if he kept to the empires he'd have a home, if not, he'd be homeles in a month individual woman, who was quite intoxicated, swore at Alberta's premier and refused to talk to us. A young man my son's age stopped to talk to us while hurrying to the shelter for a meal and hoping he'd be early enough to finish a bed.

We are in the dying time of the year. The leaves are shriven, the wind thumps bitter, and we each solicit warmth and comfort in our avow ways. In November, the meeting-house invites us to remember the saints and seat of lifes who have touched our lives. Our nation calls us to remember those who have died in wars. To wail, to pray, to remember, to work for social justice and for positive change are all ways we can say to those who put up with and those who have died, "We do not forget you."

Kathleen Quinn writes from Edmonton.

...

Home