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One of my favorite types of stories - living history combined with ancestry. Your phrase "before she too becomes a story" tugged at my heart and I am so glad you have the opportunity to spend time together. I also have ancestors in Ireland, finding more over the years, but DNA really broke open the doors for me to figure out exactly where they were from and who their immediate families were. I can not wait to go back now knowing where to plant my feet!

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Thanks for this. When you draw attention to your mother, in the midst of your project about the life and work of your father, it reminds me what happened after the success of the fascinating books “Fun Home” and “Dreams From My Father” —Barack Obama and Alison Bechdel each went, Oh! It’s time to approach the topic of my mother.

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Thank you! yes, there's much more to say about my mother, who is happily in the other room with me tonight.

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I love the quiet and methodical detective work of this story.

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Right? It sits with you, in a comfy chair. As in a family, sometimes the quiet part stays quiet.

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Your story makes me wish I had identifiable Irish ancestors in whose pursuit I could take a member in hand to share the experience. The one time we were in Ireland it blew me away and the highlight for me was EPIC.

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I agree-- the communal experience was the best part of the trip.

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