A Coruña- Connections and Promise

 

Who knew that when as a heartbroken missionary,  I threw a bottle with ashes from my burnt up "Dear Jane" letter into the sea from La Coruña, Spain, I was potentially casting it towards Ireland?  I don't think I made the Irish connection when I visited the Tower of Hercules either (oldest existing lighthouse in the WORLD) and viewed the statue of Breogan. I didn't even really know what I was looking at through the lens of my cheap camera. 

 I was lost in my own little world of confusion being surrounded by native Spaniard missionary companions, less the redhead, who spoke a language I didn't understand.  If I had been a little more aware or even just plain curious, I might have learned about the Irish connection with Galicia instead of just feeling it. Some Celtic peoples claim ancestral roots from this coastal region of Spain. 

According to the legend, the son of Breogan climbed the tower in Brigantia (A Coruña) and spotted Ireland, prompting his journey and subsequent Milesian invasion/immigration in search of their promised land.  Breogan descended from the father of the Gaels (Gaelic people) named Gaedhael or Gaedil.  "Gaedil was bitten by a poisonous snake and brought to Moses, who cured him with his rod.  Moses prophesied that the descendants of the boy would live in a land where no venomous snakes may be found and find it by tracking the setting of the sun.  Gaedil and his descendants searched for the 'promised land' and arrived in Spain."

 Regardless of the veracity of the ancient history of a group of Celtic people populating part of Ireland, the connections between these two regions are quite real. Galicia and Eire are " Celtic sisters with similarities in Catholicism, rainy weather, beautiful green landscape, hill forts, and traditionally agricultural and fishing economy."  

But getting back to the juicy mythology, once the Milesians arrived in Ireland, they were met by the three queens, warriors, goddesses, including Eriu.  This interaction resulted in the whole island being named after her-Eire or Erin. "Eriu is the soveign Celtic Goddess of Ireland...she is the heart of Ireland."  

The heart of Ireland!  What?!  Named by a people coming from A-Coruna!  I've been there!  I'm going there!  This prompted me to get out my old missionary journals and scrapbooks and explore my young missionary heart while I was in La Coruna, Galicia, Spain.

I laughed so hard reading through my time in La Coruña, exploring all the connections.  It started with the heart break from home and ended with my heart kindled.  Though I was embarrassed with my Ado Annie antics, I was fueled by the potential fulfillment of future promises.  It silenced my constant personal insecurities.   I was lifted up by my hopeful future which had a dramatic effect on the remainder of my mission.  It allowed me to focus on my present missionary service and hope for a dramatic homecoming and reunion in a future promised land. 

I had a little bounce in my step yesterday after reading my journal and thinking of my current situation as if I was still on a 59 year mission.  I don't want to be released any time soon but I know there will be a wonderful homecoming reunion.  To appease that silly Ado Annie portion of my heart, I have great hopes that someone will claim me, with their additional "two bits." at the great boxed lunch picnic in the sky.  

My promised land is much more than a wonderful, abundant (that's what Eire means) countryside.  It's about the people.  I didn't come to Galicia to teach the Irish looking hills and ancient ruins,  I came to make connections with the people and help them make promises.  Today at church I felt connected to my Galician experience as I wore a white hand knitted dress lovingly gifted to me from one such person- Aurora Santiago. It's a good thing it can really stretch. Aurora and her family made baptismal promises.  My heart goes out to them and honors them for their desires and connection to THE promised land and the people who keep promises designed for connection- across the seas...connected.