I'm very happy to be here. Obviously, I've had a good day. Partly, that's because it whizzed by ( a good sign, right? ), but mostly because of my afternoon of novel events. Shortly after I returned from lunch, the small reception room of the congressional office was filled with new arrivees who had come to speak with the Congressman. There's something ancient about the journeying of a man to communicate with another man, be it in times of need, or to offer assistance, or whatever, and it is not an exaggeration to say that something swelled within me, today, whilst observing the reception. Good will all round. I would like a little of that everyday, please.
The aforementioned arrivees were members of the Nigerian Congress, and what a crowd! First things first, Representative Payne was thanked for his continued support of the African continent, in general, and of Nigeria, in particular. The key speaker for the group expressed his conviction that Nigeria can and will attain high levels of growth and prosperity in the coming decades, and noted the leadership role which his country has and is playing, in Africa. It was clearly conveyed to Rep. Payne, that the type of prosperity enjoyed by the U.S. is not viewed as 'pie in the sky' by Nigerians.
The Representative listened to this, and showed appreciation for the role which Nigeria has, and is playing. He had some misgivings, however, about the curent state of the nations separation of powers, and in relation to the past, about mislaid funds, and abuse of power. He concluded, however, by paying tribute to Nigeria and its advancement of self, and of its neighbours.
I was a fly on the wall for all of this - the Irish girl in the corner, who nearly pinced herself several times. The setting was so informal, a gathering around a room, like a big Irish kitchen, on a long summer's evening, in the olden days.
All present were facing one another, attentive, engaged, poised, ready to contribute and building a rapport. I liked the scene before me - the American in his suit and tie, surrounded by the bright and bold clothing of the Nigerians. I liked one of the members in particular, because he had a marvelous hat.
The fun didn't stop there, either. At 4.30pm, the Congressman invited his six interns into his office, to formally meet him. Each of us intoduced ourselves briefly. Thami, from Pretoria in South Africa and myself, were the only two non-US interns. And we got all the attention! The Congressman is a gentle man (and a gentleman), he is softly-spoken, and when speaking to him, you know that he is listening. He asked me to tell him about my upbringing, and so I told him that my father was a farmer and my mother a national school teacher (both retired now), and that I had grown up in the west of Ireland, in the country. He nodded at this, and asked Thami about his homeplace .
The Congressman then reverted to me. Yes, this deserves a new paragraph. He began by sharing his knowledge of some of Ireland's current problems. Particularly, he noted the dwindling of community life, the loss of customary get-togethers in rural communities and peoples embrace of city life, which higher spending power has allowed. I agreed with the Congressmans statement. He was not insinuating that rural Ireland is culturally in ruins - I could not have agreed with this if he had - but certainly, the wind of change has been howling around the country for some time, and many parts of Ireland of a few decades ago are unrecognizable today. I know, for the most part, that is a good thing. I do not lament for scenes of mothers bidding farewell to their sons and daughters of 16, or thereabouts, as they departed for ships, to be taken away from Eire, perhaps forever.
No doubt, I wear rose-tinted glasses sometimes, but I can see that the boom of the 1990s has not been an entirely good thing for my country, and I said as much to Representative Payne. Everything has a price, sure that makes sense. When we pay $2.50 for a coffee, that is because the coffee is of greater 'value' to us than the $2.50. I drink coffee. I get that. But if we pay for greater comfort, and material wealth with values which were core to our society in the past, it must be asked whether we are sure of what it is that we want?
I spoke to Congressman Payne of the huge business in Ireland that is the nursing home. Don't foretell my argument and attempt to bludgeon it right away. I recognize that infirm elders may require professional care and that that of a family member may not suffice, that practically, if both partners in a household are working that an invalid can not be afforded proper care also, etc. I am not appealing to women to say 'to hell' with their hard-earned share of territory in the workplace, but surely it can be recognized and accepted that among the masses of elderly people in nursing homes, many are there because it is the least intrusive means for relatives, and in todays Ireland, affordable. Sure, this can be dismissed by referral to the relative comfort in such residences for the most part, but I would rather be looked after my someone because I am their family and they care about me, than by someone who does it so that they get paid at the end of the week. Yes, there are worse alternatives, but can we be diligent also as to the better ones?
So, essentially I said to the Congressman, as has been recognized in a somewhat anaemic manner, that Ireland's values are changing since our economic upturn. On listening to what I had to say, he said that he found that interesting, and then pursued the question of what shape North - South relationship is now in. I explained that as I am from Co.Mayo in the west of Ireland, I am more removed from the issues surrounding the question than those who live in the six counties or border counties. I do believe that we have not entirely (by any means) accepted one anothers differences and found unity in diversity. I think that some of the negative sentiments of the past, the resentments, the prejudices have to some degree, been kindled, and that it is not the case that we have taken only the lessons which can guide us in the future. No doubt, the ferociousness of some sentiments, for some, were a raison d'etre, but thankfully they appear to be disappearing with a whimper, and not a roar.
All of that, in a far briefer version, of course, meant that the Congressman had to excuse himself without having had more involved discussions with the other interns. So, we have the privilege of his company, once more, tomorrow. And then, I can just sit and listen, and hopefully swell up inside, again, too.
