Laura O’Neil – All Things Good

Boston: We Run Together

Laura O'Neil Armour of Light April 28, 2015April 11, 2017119th Boston Marathon, 2015 Boston Marathon, 2nd anniversary of Boston Bombing, Beacon Street, Boston Marathon, Boston Marathon Bombings, Boston Marathon Bombings Anniversary, Boston Marathon champions, Boston Strong, Inspirational runners, Maickel Melamed, Marathon Monday, Rebekah Gregory, Running 2 Comments

ATG contributor Laura O’Neil reflects on the Boston Marathon and spirit of resiliency in light of the second anniversary of the bombings, below.

“There’s still something so unifying about sport in its purest form, when athletes rise above themselves and touch greatness, and in doing so, remind us all that we also have greatness inside of us.”

April 19th, 2015: the day of the 119th Boston Marathon* – the second since the bombings – found Boston in the midst of the defendant’s trial. The morning was cold, dreary, and grey with rain threatening otherwise manageable running weather.

As I set out on my customary morning run down Beacon Street**, I was greeted by a heavy police force and military vehicles that looked out of place. I couldn’t help but wonder about the day: Which history will repeat itself? Will today be like 117 of the last 118 Marathon Mondays? Will it be a triumphant day full of sweat, tears of joy, and accomplishment? Or a darker day with the world’s attention focused on Boston for all the wrong reasons? Read more

A Daily Dose of Irish Luck

Laura O'Neil Armour of Light March 13, 2015April 11, 2017100 Happy Days challenge, Irish blessing, Irish luck, Irish potato famine, Irish shamrock, Saint Patrick's Day, St. Paddy's Day, The Luck of the Irish 3 Comments

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day 2015, ATG is exploring “All Things Irish” for the next couple weeks. Below ATG contributor Laura O’Neil reflects on the meaning of the “Luck of the Irish.” Stay tuned for more!

Familiar especially to those of Irish descent, both young and old, is the Irish Blessing displayed in part as a photo in this week’s Rose’s Ridge post about Irish American culture:

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand

These words adorned not one but two walls in my grandmother’s house. They never really meant that much to me when I was younger, but with each passing year, they have come to be a calming source of inspiration, reminding me to keep on moving along, to continue hoping, and to have faith that even if it doesn’t seem possible, things will fall into place. Read more