An Irish Blessing

Never thought that I’d leave this place
And I didn’t know what to say
There’s no right way to say goodbye
All I offer is these old lines:

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be at your back, my darling

Never thought that I’d pray for you
After all that we both went through
Knew these words for all of my life
Never felt them like tonight:

May the sunshine warm your face
And the rain fall soft for you, my darling

All the things I wish for you,
To my surprise I realize
If I can’t give you everything
Then all that I can do is pray

I’m not really the praying type
Something just got in me today
Took a stab to see what it’s like
Something you might appreciate

And until we meet again
May God hold you close in hand, my darling

~ July 2003