Walking Connection Member Profiles
by Patricia Freeman and Patricia Vroom

"Through an Ocean Apart, We Walk Together Now"
Ireland Member Molly Lucey

Pat Freeman & Molly
Inset: Pat Vroom, Molly & Pat

I think it's safe to say that Ireland's only Walking Connection member (for now, anyway) is my sister, Molly Lucey. Last December, Molly enjoyed a three-month visit to the States and was thrilled to go on the day trip to Sedona in December and join Walking Connection friends on the Christmas Spirit Trip to the Whistler Resort in Vancouver, Canada. Molly, who loves to walk and hike, fit in instantly with the Walking Connection members she met, who, in her words, are all "Great women!" (And men!). She summed up her experience with this comment -- "Fair play to them, the Craters are out there enjoying their lives." To the Irish, that's the highest compliment of all!

This is the first Christmas that Molly and I have spent together in over 40 years. We're finally free to keep our lives connected. It wasn't always that way. In fact, circumstances have dictated that Molly and I would only be able to float in and out of each other's lives. We spent some brief years together when we were very small and then World War II broke out and she was gone -- evacuated out of London, to an Aunt in Devonshire. But like a lot of other children during the bombing of London, I stayed in the city and took my chances. During the turmoil of the years that followed, I really forgot that I had a sister and I am sure that she did, too. But I remember vividly the day we reconnected. I had come home from school; I was ten. "Come into the living room, there is someone there for you to meet," said my mother. I obliged. There she stood, an eleven-year-old girl, standing next to a woman I didn't recognize. I eyed the girl up and down curiously. I couldn't imagine who she was. I thought that she looked rather prim. She stood straight, hands at her side, feet placed perfectly together. I turned and looked at my mother, who immediately understood the question on my face. "This is your sister, Molly," she informed me. Molly and I smiled at each awkwardly and I realized that she didn't remember me, either.

We got reacquainted, and during the next four years, even though we were again separated, and lived very different kinds of lives with different parents, we stayed in touch, visiting each other more as we grew to be teenagers. Then, when she was only 16, Molly married, and gave birth to her first child when she was barely 17. During the next 7 years we were closely connected and involved in each other's lives, but then came another parting. I had married an American and I left England to come and live in the States. On the day that we again said goodbye we told ourselves the world was a small place and we would meet again soon. A couple of years after that, Molly also left England and went to make her life in a little town called Listowel, in County Kerry, Ireland, which is where her husband came from. During those years that we were again separated, in typical Irish fashion, Molly gave birth to eight more children, while I, in typical American fashion, had just two.

As the years stretched on, the letters between us got less and we got back into the mindset, I believe, of "Well, I know I have a sister, but we have little in common." So it was with some trepidation that 25 years after our last meeting in England, I found myself taking the two-hour drive from Shannon Airport to Listowel to meet my sister again. I found the street, Charles Street, lined on either side by small houses all connected, separated from the road by a narrow pavement. I saw her house very quickly; it was the only two story one on that street. I stopped the car, stepped out, and in a couple of easy bounds I was at her front door, and there we were, together again. The 25 years fell away in an instand.

I spent the next two weeks discovering who my sister had become since our last separation and getting a close-up look at life in a small Irish town. Every few steps we took, walking through the town, we were greeted by her neighbors. "Good morning, Molly, sure is this your sister from America?" they would ask. "Certainly is girl, doesn't she look well?" Molly would reply with a twinkle in her eye, now sounding more Irish than English. I spent hours being amused by Molly's description of some of the eccentricities of her fellow townspeople. I visited all the pubs in Listowel with Molly and her now-grown children and discovered she was renowned for her good voice and so was always urged to sing. "Would you give us a song, Molly girl?" was the constant request as soon as we entered the pub. "Sure I will, Crater; let me have a drink first," she would reply teasingly. Then addressing me, they'd marvel, "Sure your sister has a fine voice." Sounds better than Patsy Cline!" Molly would throw her head back and roar with laughter. "Sure, the Irish are all blackguards," she would say fondly. "Just like our Dad was," she would add, referring to our Irish father, Martin, who was affectionately known as "Paddy."

As I learned more about my sister's life during that visit, I realized how hard her path had been, very different from mine. I admired the wonderful sense of humor, and strength of character, that had obviously allowed her to accept and come through some of the worst times that life has to offer. So, on that meeting, sixteen years ago, we rediscovered a new appreciation of each other and again vowed to not lose touch. I'm happy to report that we've kept our word this time. Molly has since visited the States four times, and joined the Walking Connection four years ago on one of those visits. Now she has as many people she considers family to visit in America as I do when I visit Listowel! We may be many miles apart, but we plan to continue to keep walking together.

RELEASE: Exercise is only one part of being healthy, seeing your doctor is another! If, at any time during a training session (whether it is a group session, individual personal training session, or self-training session), you suffer any mishap or injury, we urge you to stop your activity immediately and seek professional medical attention. The information contained on this site is intended to give information about personal health and fitness, not to act as a medical manual or guide to self-treatment. Keep in mind that exercise, health and nutritional needs vary from person to person, depending on age, gender, family medical history, current health status, and other individual factors . Before engaging in these, or any other exercise or recreational activities, we urge all individuals to consult a physician. He or she is most-qualified to advise each about your specific health status and needs. By participating in any Walking Connection walk, hike or event, now or in the future, I have and do hereby fully assume all risk of injury, property damage, emotional trauma and death, and it is my intention for me and my heirs, executors and administrators to waive any and all right and claims for damages I may have against Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, Taylor Marketing and Management, LLC., The Walking Connection and any individual associated with these walks, hikes or events, their representatives, successors, and assignees, and will hold them harmless for any and all injuries, mishaps and loss of property suffered in connection with my participation in these walks, hikes, events.