F.E.A.R. has two meanings – Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise.

The choice is yours.

Once upon a time, there were certainties: the world was flat, the pope was always right, Elvis was alive, the Americans had landed on the moon, the Government cared for its citizens, the Germans were organised, and the Irish white and catholic.

Today, the world is in chaos.

Women are flying into space in a mad-man’s rocket; the world’s fixer creates nothing but mayhem; people have never heard of the pope never mind listened to him; Elvis is dead, and Paul McCartney died in 1966 being secretly replaced by a look-alike; the Irish drink dirty chai lattes instead of tea, and eat falafels instead of potatoes.

And it gets worse: at Dublin airport recently, a group of Germans were complaining to the Irish check-in crew because the crew insisted in ‘procedures’: boarding by assigned group in the corresponding lane only, large bags allowed only if paid for, and the like. You know the drill. Except the ‘organised’ Germans. They created turmoil. No wonder their economy is in bits.

There is one beacon of light: Pádraig is on top of the world.. Healthy, strong, full of life, love, energy, and fun. Last week, together with his friends, he continued to work on his movie project with a visit to Raidio Na Life, the Irish language station where he worked for some time. Apparently, they had the time of their lives. He never stopped laughing, smiling, being so incredibly happy.

The best part: his parents weren’t there. I don’t even have one picture of that visit. No details were leaked. This was his and his friends business. Not mine or ours.

Just like in the old days.

It’s reassuring to know that even in this crazy world of uncertainty and upheaval some things haven’t changed. At least some certainties remain and can be relied on.

Not sure how the world will end up.

But there’s no doubt in my mind that, as long as it doesn’t implode altogether, Pádraig will have a great time, sharing his creativity, love, and sense of humour with his friends and loved ones.

In the meantime, we’ll just have to mind our own business, getting on with all the uncertainties, cruelties, and violence, with dysfunctional systems, self-centred politicians, and our dirty chai latte-drinking, falafel-eating fellow citizens.