The idea was to tie loads of big plastic bottles together so that the structure would eventually become large and strong enough to float, and carry a frame together with some passengers. During a few months that spring time our back garden became a makeshift shipyard. He wanted to sail away. In his own, home-made raft. There was an incredible determination to build this flboat, and a very strong believe that he just had to keep at this to make it all happen. Reasoning, planning, ‘real life’ issues, even physics – none of these really boring, ordinary life constraints stood in the way of his dream that was so much bigger than mere ‘real life’.
Do you also have your best dreams towards dawn? I can, when I’m really lucky, turn around and continue these early morning dreams should I get disturbed for a second, I feel I can manipulate them and they almost become reality. Last night, or rather this morning, I had one of these dreams. Pádraig and I had entered a boat race and we had built the boat ourselves. Of course, we had built it so well, there was no need to even float it before the day of the big race, never mind test-sail it. The day of the race I woke up early and thought I should get the boat down to the water to see whether it would float. It didn’t and I got it back to the house quickly before anyone else had noticed. A couple of hours later, Pádraig and I pulled the boat on a trailer down to the water, with family and friends joining us and wishing us the best of luck for the race. Pádraig was so excited (and I was so worried) when we pushed the boat into the water. Of course, the boat floated and we took off towards the starting line. – Although I tried really hard, at this point I could not ignore Pat anymore who was pulling me back into the ‘real world’, telling me it was time to get up. So I don’t know whether we won the race or not. But, after all, that wasn’t important at all. What was important is that Pádraig managed to make our ‘boat’ float – when I had almost sank it and drowned myself during my early-morning secret trial driven by last minute doubts.
Today, Pádraig was off the respirator and breathing by himself (assisted by a humidifier and oxygen) for several hours. He is still bloated from all the liquid his body absorbed during the SIRS, but getting back more and more to look like himself. They are considering the removal of one of the two drains. He is on the mend. For a few hours, during New Year’s Eve, I had a doubt – when Pádraig was just pushing out the boat far far away right to the starting line.
Today’s German Music Tip
Revolverheld, Das kann uns keiner nehmen (2013). – Watch the really cool dancing at 2m26s and the ‘Klingelmännchen’ at 3m55s. Also like the ‘Stop’ sign walk at 1m45s.
What’s hot
Dreams and Sailing
What’s cold
‘Real Life’
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Klingelmännchen
“Die Stadt wird hell und wir trinken auf’s Leben”
Twitter: @forPadraig
#caringforPadraig
web: http://www.caringforPadraig.org
Hospi-Tales 
Hello, Reinhard. It is great to hear that Pádraig is coming back to looking like himself. I have been thinking about him particularly this last hour or so. He is so unfortunate in terms of his accident but so blessed in his parents and family. With best wishes, Louise.
He is just himself, Louise, defying everything and everybody…
>
Louise said it well and I agree – great to hear he is more himself and recovering. I also agree he had incredibly bad luck in the accident but incredibly good luck to have you and Pat as his parents and family.
He is this tall, strong guy that is just bigger than life, Diane.
>
Yes, Pádraig is a good “hombre de mar” and you too… when you wrote “Pádraig was so excited (and I was so worried) ” I can so well understand, I have never experimented such a fear before I had my kids. But things are getting better that is the very good news about this… Many kisses from all of us!!!
Reinhard, the pictures you are including in this post,.. who is the autor? I think they match perfect to our dream and to the story.
I borrowed the pictures, Ana 🙂
Reinhard
Sent from my iPhone
>
What a beautiful post Reinhard. I really love the way you write these. I was so worried too but so glad he is pulling through. Thought it was a good time to share this song that makes me think of Pádraig every time I hear it, and I listen to it when I want to send him wishes. A colleague invited me on a radio show tonight and we’re supposed to pick a piece of music to play that means something to us. I couldn’t decide what to play, but now I know.Thinking of you all every day. Grá mór, Sophie
It’s your hometown, I think I’ve outgrown
I wanna travel the world but I just can’t do it alone
So I’m just waiting on fate to come and wrap around me
Think about all the foreign places we could be
I’ll be flicking stones at your window
I’ll be waiting outside til you’re ready to go
Won’t you come down, come away with me
Just think of all the places we could be
I’ll be waiting, waiting on a brand new day.
Hi Sophie, whatever I’m trying to cobble together late at night, it’s no match to your comment and this song with it’s incredibly beautiful lyrics. – Keep sending him wishes! Reinhard
>
Great news Reinhard. Have been reading every day and it’s great to here he is on the mend after the operation. Thinking of him always and praying for recovery. Keep up the good work- some amazing pieces written here recently
Isn’t it, Aodhán? It’s really such a relief. Continue keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. – Reinhard
As always, Reinhard, Pádraig brings out the kindness and creativity in all of us. With best wishes, Louise.
Imagine the day, Louise, he’ll realize the change he has affected and the energy he has generated over the past months….
I look forward to that day, Reinhard. He is in all our hearts. With best wishes, Louise.
Such a lovely dream. I dream about Padraig every now and again, always the same type of dream.. That he is in the conradh, having a great laugh, just as normal after waking up after a long rest. I always wake up feeling strange after it, but confident, knowing I will see this again. I know this day will come. Until then i’ll enjoy having these little dreams seeing Padraig acting the maggot! 🙂
I hope to get over to see pádraig over the next midterm break..
Hi Róisín, you’re right: ‘having a laugh’ was something Pádraig really enjoyed – and there is no doubt that one day he will wake up, after his long rest, and we’ll all be having a big laugh with him. In the meantime, we’ll keep the spirit alive and try to make him as comfortable as possible, involving him in our conversations, making him feel part of our lives, bringing some ‘real life’ to his room. – It’ll be great to see you in Hamburg! – Reinhard
Pingback: Cairde le hamhrán a thaifeadadh ar son Phádraig Schäler | Nuacht24
Pingback: Cairde le hamhrán a thaifeadadh ar son Phádraig Schäler - Nuacht24 - | News247.ie