In a vase on Monday: Still wearing the green

My patch of double snowdrops were up enough by the weekend that I was able to dig up a few for a St. Pat's bouquet. The lovely shamrock teacup and hanky belonged to my late mother-in-law. Her daughters gave them to me as mementoes after her death in 2013. I've created this same arrangement before so it is not new, but still a favorite way to showcase this green and white March flower. 

This patch of snowdrops need to be divided and spread about, so attempting to dig out just a few gave me an idea of what will be involved to break up the solid clumps and tease them apart. That job is going  near the top of my early spring chores list, though I won't actually do it until they're done blooming. 

My youngest sister got married in the late 1990s in New York City where she lived. She arranged for all the family members to stay at the lovely Irish hotel, the Fitzpatrick, in Manhattan. The  hotel had a large portrait of Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland behind the reception desk if I remember correctly. I was not really familiar with Robinson but made it a mission to learn about her. After her role as the symbolic leader of Ireland, Robinson went on to be the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She has continued to fight for human rights and to reveal injustice around the world. 

"Everybody Matters" is her memoir about the path she followed from being the middle child in a family of four boys in a small town in Ireland to a law degree, and a career teaching law, arguing cases and serving in the Irish government. Her role as President in Ireland was considered largely symbolic but it was the one position that was an office that the entire country voted on. Robinson made every effort to use that role as the moral center of Ireland. She understood that symbols define us and can move us forward doing the right thing. Since my name is based on Irish myth and symbol, I found this concept fascinating. 

In her address at her Inauguration as President in 1990, she spoke of the mythical "Fifth Province," which she hoped to represent. As she said, "The Fifth Province is not anywhere here or there, north or south, east or west. It is a place within each one of us — that place that is open to the other, that swinging door which allows us to venture out and others to venture in. Ancient legends divided Ireland into four quarters and a 'middle,' although they differed about the location of this middle or Fifth Province. While Tara was the political centre of Ireland, tradition has it that this Fifth Province acted as a second centre, a necessary balance. If I am a symbol of anything I would like to be a symbol of this reconciling and healing . . ."

Clearly not your ordinary President! To say nothing of the fact that she used "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson" as her campaign song (with new lyrics). "Everybody Matters" is a fascinating look at the journey of a woman only a few years older than me. Like me, she was educated at Catholic schools until she, too, broke with the church over its roles for and treatment of women, and issues of contraception and divorce. The book also look at contempororay Irish history and politics and the positive and negative effects of globalism and Robinson's role in all of it.

 . . .

To see what other gardeners have found to put in a vase today, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts this marvelous meme!

Comments

[Peter/Outlaw]

What a sweet St. Patrick's Day arrangement filled with memories of two great women and created by a third.

[Linda Brazill]

What a flatterer you are! But I will accept the compliment on behalf of my mother-in-law and Mary Robinson.

[Cathy]

Such a pretty idea, Linda, and what heartwarming information about Mary Robinson - thanks for sharing both

[Loree / danger garden]

A lovely St. Patrick's Day display and thank you for teaching me something this morning.

[Donna@GardensEyeView]

Linda this is a lovely tribute to amazing women on St Patrick's day and in time for spring.....I will have to get the book and read more about this amazing woman. Thank you!

[Amelia Grant]

Love the teacups, arrangement and post about Mary Robinson - wish she could join us! Good luck with the division.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Sweet arrangement. I have never heard about this Robinson woman. She sounds amazing. I will have to look up some more about her. Thanks for sharing and Happy IAVOM.

[Kris P]

The snowdrop-filled teacup is lovely, Linda! I also appreciated the introduction to Mrs. Robinson. Oh, for a President like that!

[Susie]

Great to have (and use) the tea cup as a remembrance. Thanks for the description of Robinson.