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The Claddaugh and the Kennedy Family

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Many years ago, while touring Ireland for the first time, I was introduced to the Claddaugh symbol.  It is included in all kinds of jewelry, and as it happens, it is the Irish wedding ring.


Isn't it beautiful?  John bought me a gold version of this silver ring, and I frequently wear it.  In fact, on returning trips, John bought me a necklace with a Claddaugh, and earrings too (although I don't wear them at the same time).  After John had lost his second wedding band, I bought him a gold Claddaugh ring.  He hasn't lost it yet.

What's even more beautiful is what the symbol stands for:  love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown).

While I may not have know it at the time, I believe the Claddaugh represents the qualities that our family most cherishes.

Love:  We love each other (more than anything, or anyone else), we love the gospel, and we love Jesus Christ

Friendship:  We are best friends in our family.  I can't tell you how often people comment to me about our close our family is.  It's because we would rather not spend time with anyone else over spending time with each other (no offense, friends).

Loyalty:  This is the big one.  I don't know that John would agree with this, but I'm writing this post :-)

At this point, you may cue The Godfather soundtrack in your mind, because if you hurt my family, you hurt me, and I will punish you for it.

But seriously.  When I ran a silly Facebook poll several years ago, I had the question asked of my friends, "Which quality do I cherish most in a friend?", and I gave a list of choices.  It came as no surprise to me that my closest friends all knew the answer:  loyalty.

When Ethan and Mark were in seminary together, Mark didn't understand a very tasteless joke that was being told.  Ethan jumped on the bandwagon of the other seminary kids and mocked Mark for it.  I have no doubt that Ethan can still remember how I railed into him for his disloyalty to our family.  I expected him to stand up for Mark, no matter what.

As a child, there was nothing more painful to me than to think that someone was my friend, or had my back, only to discover that they weren't my friend and they did something behind my back to hurt me.  I won't allow it among my children, because I never want them to be the cause of pain to someone else.

When I enter my bedroom, there is a beautiful Claddaugh iron piece, hanging on our wall, given to us by friends who traveled to Ireland with us (thanks, Daileys).  I like seeing it there.

And I can't forget:

"Fredo, you're my older brother, and I love you.  But don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again.  Ever."

Or else,

"I'm gonna make [you] an offer [you] can't refuse."

Comments

  1. John KennedyNovember 28, 2012 at 5:14 PM

    I need to watch the godfather, I never have because its rated R but now that Mommy Aris says its so important, I better watch it...this is a joke:-)

    ReplyDelete

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