I waved to our son in Ireland

@JudyEv (325984)
Rockingham, Australia
May 29, 2022 8:57pm CST
Our younger son lives in Co. Mayo, Ireland, and for years has barely scraped a living as a jazz musician. Between gigs and teaching, he has managed to keep his head above water so to speak (meaning he has managed to earn a living of sorts). Covid made it even harder for him. Now he is middle-aged, he and his wife are saving for a house but can’t get a mortgage unless he has ‘regular’ employment. He has been lucky enough now to score an administrative position at Music Generation Mayo, a joint venture between various parties (including Bono from U2) which fosters music among young people. They had a huge concert a few days ago, involving 1,000 children playing Irish harps, pipes and ukuleles and it was live-streamed. Rather than watch it at 2 am, we watched it next day. Our son compered the concert and told people that it was being live-streamed. He said ‘hello’ to his Mum and Dad in Australia and gave us a wave. Of course, I waved back. Duh!
37 people like this
38 responses
@ptrikha_2 (45527)
• India
30 May 22
Good for your son that he has got a position at a good place. May be you could plan flying to Ireland the next time and watching his next Concert?
6 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
We have been over there a few times and plan to go again one day soon. We keep hoping covid will perhaps disappear but perhaps we'll just have to be brave and go whatever the situation.
4 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45527)
• India
30 May 22
@JudyEv If you are careful, may be you can plan a visit to Ireland in a few months as well! But well it depends upon your other plans, travel charges etc
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45527)
• India
1 Jun 22
@JudyEv So and would you be making that trip soon?
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48425)
• Canada
30 May 22
How exciting to get a shout out. I hope that he can reach his goal of obtaining a mortgage and buying a home.
4 people like this
@Juliaacv (48425)
• Canada
30 May 22
@JudyEv What strikes me so well is that he has kept true to his roots, music is his passion, and this work is just that. That is wonderful.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
@Juliaacv That's true. He has just moved into an administrative role now. While they were moving kids on and off stage, he had the rest of the audience singing rounds. There are three libraries in his district which have 1,300 instruments of all sorts between them and all available for hire by kids for a very reasonable fee. It's all part of the one organisation.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
This job will make a huge difference to them. I'm so happy for him.
4 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
30 May 22
That's everyone's situation after the covid. Things have become costlier than they were before the pandemic. Hope your son copes with the things soon.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
Thanks. We are just about to the stage of going to see him again.
4 people like this
@rebelann (111221)
• El Paso, Texas
30 May 22
It's hard on people these days no matter if they have employment or not. Hopefully your son will find a regular permanent job that will help him get a home.
3 people like this
@rebelann (111221)
• El Paso, Texas
30 May 22
That's wonderful, hopefully he'll be signed up for much much longer.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
@rebelann He should do well there as he is really a 'people' person.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
This one he has now is regular and a five-year contract. Unless something goes terribly wrong, he would sign up for longer.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95401)
• Marion, Ohio
30 May 22
Handsome man. You always wave when they do
4 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95401)
• Marion, Ohio
30 May 22
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
It would seem very rude not to wave back.
3 people like this
@Hannihar (129491)
• Israel
30 May 22
@JudyEv You must be so proud of him and congrats on his new job. I hope that will help them be able to get a mortgage so they can buy a house. That was so nice that he waved to you and Vince and that you waved back. I bet it would be even better if you could see him in person and give him a big hug.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
We are lucky to be able to see each other on Face Time or whatever. So different to when letters took weeks to reach their destinations.
5 people like this
@Hannihar (129491)
• Israel
30 May 22
@JudyEv I am glad since you cannot see each other right now in person that you have FaceTime to communicate with each other.
2 people like this
@marguicha (215584)
• Chile
30 May 22
I have several musician among my most loved people. Felipe, one of my granfsons, plays flamenco guitar and he is also doing a mixure of jazz and latin American folk music. Camila, Dixie´s youngest plays several instruments and sings. All of them have trouble earning their living.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
I've heard Felipe and his partner on YouTube. They are very talented. It's hard for musicians, especially with covid lurking around every corner.
2 people like this
@Shavkat (137221)
• Philippines
30 May 22
I can feel that you are so proud of him. Congratulations!
3 people like this
@Shavkat (137221)
• Philippines
30 May 22
@JudyEv I agree. This pandemic is making things hard for some people like me, too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
Thanks. We are just so pleased that he now has regular work. It was really hard for musicians during the lock-down period.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458584)
• Switzerland
30 May 22
I am so glad, I am sure you were excited when he said hello and waved to you, such a wonderful moment.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458584)
• Switzerland
30 May 22
@JudyEv You were proud parents, I am sure.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
It was a bit strange seeing him MCing the concert. I'm glad we were able to watch it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 May 22
@LadyDuck Proud and relieved that he had a 'proper' job at last.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40568)
• United States
30 May 22
Oh, I know that thrilled you and Vince! And he's sure a handsome fella.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
We are so happy for him. He truly deserves a break and this suits him very nicely.
3 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (94655)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
30 May 22
Good to know that your son received help persons like Bono and others to assist young persons to get into music.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
There are a number of these throughout Ireland. Our son has responsibility for three counties. The children are helped to enjoy making music with others. It doesn't matter too much if they are not very talented.
3 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (94655)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
30 May 22
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3045)
30 May 22
Oh, that's so cool! It's nice that he is still able to pursue his passion and not give it up for "sensible" employment just to get a mortgage. How dreary life would be if no one were allowed to be creative because they were too concerned with finances.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
When the restrictions were first lifted, his group got a lot of wedding gigs but he said they were very boozy affairs and he wasn't enjoying playing at them.
3 people like this
@AliCanary (3045)
30 May 22
@JudyEv oh yes, people can become quite obnoxious. I worked quite a few boozy affairs when I was in the Banquets department at Marriott.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53677)
30 May 22
Awesome! That was so cool. Will you be visiting him soon?
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
We have visited him several times and would like to go again but we're still quite concerned about covid.
3 people like this
@Kandae11 (53677)
30 May 22
@JudyEv l understand.
2 people like this
@Adie04 (17360)
30 May 22
Pandemic is making people turn to technology. It gives advantages, also disadvantages.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
Yes, that's very true. We've had to change our ways of thinking and how we communicate.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159221)
• Boise, Idaho
30 May 22
Sounds like things are looking up for him. Hope they get the house. How long has it been since you've seen him face-to-face?
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159221)
• Boise, Idaho
31 May 22
@JudyEv .......That was rather lucky.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 May 22
We were there in 2019 and got home just before covid struck.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jun 22
@celticeagle It was indeed. Very lucky. We got home just before all the restrictions were implemented.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (134443)
• Roseburg, Oregon
30 May 22
How neat about the concert. That would be really neat to watch.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
It was a whole bunch of children but they were having a great time. If you didn't have someone involved, you'd be forgiven for fast-forwarding some of it.
2 people like this
@xFiacre (12607)
• Ireland
30 May 22
@judyev You’re not the only one to interact with people on telly!! That’s was lovely to see him and hear him.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
I can't help feeling a little bit pleased that he hasn't lost all his accent.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118497)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 May 22
That was very thoughtful of him to say hello to you and Vince on a livestream video. I hope the concert was a good one!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118497)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 May 22
@JudyEv Any time you can get a large group of children to play any type of cohesive music in harmony with each other is a successful venture!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
Those involved thought it was wonderful which is the main stream. Mostly huge groups of kids playing ukulele, looking all over the place but having a great time so yes, pretty successful I think.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (9883)
• United States
30 May 22
1,000 children playing!! That would be beautiful to hear. I hope your son can buy a home and you can go visit again real soon.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (9883)
• United States
4 Jun 22
@JudyEv I'm doing OK. I've been helping with the twins and now in Washington for a few days. My son moved further away and I'm visiting. I hope you are doing well.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May 22
I should have said they didn't all play together but they did have several groups of 100 ukuleles on at the one time. Thanks for the good wishes. We are starting to think that maybe one day we'll be able to visit again. I hope you're doing okay.
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
31 May 22
How sweet that your son could give you a shout out. I wish him every success.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 May 22
Thanks very much. He has had a tough few years so it's great for him to have this position.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325984)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jun 22
@RubyHawk At the very least it will be a good thing to have on his CV/resume.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
31 May 22
@JudyEv I hope he can keep it and go further with his music career.
1 person likes this