In the west of Ireland, a river flows from Lough Corrib into Galway Bay and out into the Atlantic. Where River Corrib mingles with the Bay was the fishing village of Claddagh, which today, is one of the tonier areas of Galway.
It is said from this place came the distinctive design of the Claddagh ring, a heart held by two hands, topped by a crown. It is a potent symbol, hands of friendship, a heart of love, the bond of loyalty.
Devotion – of spirit, heart, of self. The highest devotion is that of a person to the world, to the many, that is grounded in the practice of devotion to one, or a few – for it is really only a few that any of us can know in a lifetime.
And it is to those few that I know, the souls I have been lucky enough to experience, from long ago, and just yesterday, that I send these words, and my deep gratitude for your presence in my life.
Anam Cara is an Irish phrase whose meaning mixes probably too easily in my mind with the Hindu namaste, both infer a recognition and respect for the divine within, the imperishable light that flows back and forth between people, between lives, years — between people of the heart.
February 14 is Valentine’s Day. In an uneasy world, it is easy to be cynical about last minute roses, and the easily swept away glitter on drugstore Valentine’s cards. But at the center of its cardboard heart, Valentine’s Day too speaks of hands that hold, loves that give and take, and loyalty to the life that give us the grace to experience it all.
My Valentine to the world would be to sing Nina Simone’s Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood to a thousand people, and then make love to just one. Neither is going to happen, so this blog will stand instead.
Regardless of cultural provenance, for better, or worse, for those not deceived by division, all we have is that imperishable light, to honor, to love, to swear our fealty, to many, or to one – we are as countless rivers to the sea. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Shouldn't...but Do 
I’m late with this, but…Anam Cara to you, too.