Quick to Judge

In Galway, a bartender told me about his upcoming graduation. (University graduations occur in October in Ireland because, during the summer, students hoping to graduate have the opportunity to retake tests in courses that they would have otherwise failed.) He mentioned how expensive graduations are, new suit and all. I asked him, since he had graduated with another degree the previous year, why he couldn't just wear the same suit. At the time, he was getting something from a cupboard on the floor. He jerked his head up with a look as if I had two heads and said, "You must be joking. I'd be JUDGED." Then we both laughed, I because I was serious, he because he thought that was preposterous.

one of the Achill beaches down the road just before the back beyonds

You know how I said I looked homeless in Berlin and no one cared? People care in Ireland. And the looks of judgment (which I typically don't notice in life) are severe. Actually, now that I think about it, that may be why no one my age talks to me here. Martina told me that women and girls will regularly get their hair done, get the fake lashes and drawn eyebrows at the salon, get butt inserts, wax, tan, and buy a new dress before going out for a night. She said the hippest fad is lip injections. When I said in a former post that I wasn't dressed for going out, I meant it. I would now like to publicly thank everyone who had the humility to speak to me since I've been traveling.

This beach in Keel looks completely different when the sky is blue and the sun is shining!

I was chatting with Martina specifically about judgment in her hometown. (Achill Island is small-town, population approx. 2500.) There is definitely a sense of checking boxes here, and if someone isn't checking the appropriate box at the appropriate time, they're judged. People are talked about if they're doing something different, but I think that happens everywhere. Martina's family has worked particularly hard to make the life they have, and she's been maligned, gossiped about, begrudged, and judged for a majority of her life, it sounds like. Therefore, she is very sensitive about gossip and other people knowing her business. She considers gossip a form of grave abuse and boundary crossing, as a matter of fact.

The distant village of Keel from the beach; sorry I took this photo at dusk.

Speaking of judgment, I thought I knew where my relationship with Martina was heading after my last post (in the servant-master direction), but boy was I wrong! Tonight, we sat by the fire in her living room and told stories like we were best friends. Last night, she said to me, "I noticed that you don't swear, and you're so good for me because I'm actively working on reducing my swearing. You know, I've just been in this man's business for so long, I've found myself using it to level." Two nights ago she told me that she really enjoys having me around and she wishes I could stay longer. She said I have a very peaceful presence, a real sense of charity, and that I will do well in mediating or counseling or whatever I decide to do in life. She may even start going back to church, and she's been seeking ways to get me to Mass daily. I guess we just don't know what God is doing in the hearts of other people when we invite Him to work in and through us.

“Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people.” --St. Teresa of Calcutta