If you have a problem you can’t solve – just look for another one!
US and German programmers were asked to solve this important, complex problem. It’s a bit of a competition. Both the Americans and the Germans want to demonstrate that they are the better computing experts. The Americans get going and in little time they unveil their solution. It kind of works, but has some bugs and some problems that will need fixing. The Germans sit down, analyze the problem and draw up a specification. That gets reviewed, approved, and passed on to the implementation specialists. Their solution is impeccable. Everyone likes it. Only that by the time it’s ready, the problem had changed. – The moral of the story is that sometimes you are better off to get going, even if you are not sure yet where you might end up.
There is another story about a young man who couldn’t wait. He really wanted to get married. As soon as possible. But when he says to Friar Lawrence, who had agreed to help him and Juliet, “Oh, let us hence. I stand on sudden haste”, the friar answers, “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.”
To be honest, I have always been the person that ‘run fast’. I always had a go at a good idea, dealing with the consequences later. In most cases, it worked out, and I did not stumble. And when I did, I got up and tried again.
When the sky falls, we will stand tall, face it all together. The sky fell, I am trying to stand tall, which is much harder in ‘real life’ than in the movies, I am stumbling all the time. What makes me get up again is you, the people that occasionally read these ramblings, the people that send messages of support, the people that come to visit, the people that think of and pray for Pádraig.
Today, he was a bit more alert than last week. Maybe he is getting ready for Lá Fhéile Pádraig.
When I think about it, whether you plan what you’re doing and think before you get going, or whether you are someone that gets so enthusiastic about an idea that plans would just stand in the way – it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you do what you believe is the right thing to do. And that, when it doesn’t work out, or when you fail, when you stumble, that you gather all of your strength and get up, trying harder than ever before. With the help from your friends, if you’re a lucky as Pádraig. Sure, what would be the alternative.
Today’s German Music Tip
Marianne Rosenberg, Er gehört zu mir (1975). Well, Marianne and her music was not everybody’s cup of tea. Back then, you couldn’t really admit to like her or her music. This was far, but very far too conservative and establishment. Compare this song to the one by Ina Deter from a few days ago which was only published a year later and you’ll understand why. When I found it, for some reason, it brought back memories…
Walking on the beach in the middle of nowhere – a solitary bin for ‘Restmüll’!
What’s hot
Wise and slowly
What’s cold
Panic
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Restmüll
Twitter: @forPadraig
#caringforPadraig
http://www.caringforPadraig.org
Upcoming events: http://www.caringforPadraig.org/events
Hospi-Tales 
Hi Reinhard,
I just want you to know I read every one of your posts (sometimes more than once). I share them with my husband who – though never having met you or Padraig – cares a lot, too. Even though I often can’t think of anything original or pithy to say, I am *always* here reading your wise words and praying for Padraig’s improvement. You are all on my mind so much. I only met Padraig when he was a new-born, and yet I feel like I’m getting a good sense of his personality from your loving posts and comments of friends. I wish I were closer, because I’d really like to visit. (Hopefully by the time I can get over there, you will be back in Ireland and Padraig will be off living his life and having adventures again.)
I have so much admiration for how you are handling your (and Padraig’s) journey. How you allow us in on your emotional journey and do it so articulately and with so much humanity. So hang in there. We are all pulling for you. And keep on writing!
Warmest regards,
Diane
A big hug to you and to your husband! – Reinhard
Hello, Reinhard. I was just about to write something along the lines of – as one of the many who always read your ‘ramblings’… then I read Diane’s message, and she really says it all. Nothing to add! Best wishes, Louise.
Hello Louise – wish we could celebrate St Patrick’s Day together! Next year! – Reinhard
Just a quick note before going to bed to wish you all a good day tomorrow on this very special Lá Fhéile Pádraig from Eithne
About to go into the hospital, Eithne. Thank you so much for your wishes and thoughts, on his special. big day. Lá Shona Fhéile Pádraig a thabhairt duit.
I’m going to leave the Restmüll take care of itself tonight and give priority on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day to pray for consistent improvement for Pádraig. “Dóchas linn, Naomh Pádraig, Aspal mór na hEireann” “Give us hope, St. Patrick, Great Saint of Ireland.”
Hope and strength he will give us, no doubt, and especially to his name-sake!
“Unser Leben kann nicht immer voll Freude aber immer voll Liebe sein” I love this quote from Thomas of Aquim (Tomás de Aquino) and you are giving so much to Pádraig to us that it has to go back to you!!! Life is hard and sometimes even harder like it happened to you, but things are changing and joy will come and is coming back. I love and admire you so much!!!!!!
We can manage, sometimes just barely, but we can, as long as we know that we just have to persevere to get to the other side where we will find joy again one day, Ana. Besos y abrazos.
This is so inspiring and beautiful. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh ar fad.
Lá Shona Fhéile Pádraig a thabhairt duit, Lauren.
Lá Fhéile Pádraig to you all …..you are all in our thoughts and prayers today and always as we wish you strength and success in your ongoing journeys.
Thank you! How much we all would like to be in Ireland today, Eileen. But, I am sure, he will be back for his big day next year!
Happy fete to Pádraig! I hope it’s been a good day for him so far. I’m sure the green is seeping into his consciousness bit by bit 🙂
I’m sure if you ever looked at the stats for this page, you’d see there are lots and lots of us who always read but only comment occasionally when we can think of something half-way decent to say. We can’t all be natural born bloggers like you 😉
Beannachtaí na féile daoibh.x
Beannachtaí na féile daoibh, Cait! To be honest, and that is the truth, Cait, the idea that anyone reads the blog, scares me. The only reason I write anyway, despite being scared, is that my desperation is bigger than my fear. At the same time, I think that the ‘we-stay-with-you’ group of Pádraig’s friends is really remarkable and, from a German point of view, kind of ‘old fashioned’. I never thought I would like old-fashioned!
Lá fhéile phádraig shona daoibh go léir . Grá mór .
Go raibh mile math agat, Andrew.