Tip of My Iceberg

Remembering what’s important is something we do. When we’re reminded of special events, occurrences that impacted or shaped us, it’s a chance for us to pause and consider how we’ve grown as people because of those special instances.

Coming upon this memorial in Kinsale, Ireland, was surprising and humbling, that an incident that happened twenty-four years ago, which affected me so deeply, could also be experienced dramatically by people other than Americans.

Kathleen Cait Murphy, who grew up in Ringfinnan, Kinsale, County Cork, trained as a nurse in England and then moved to New York, where she worked at Lennox Hill Hospital for forty years. She’d always admired the bravery and courageous spirit of the firefighters, whom she saw frequently in her line of work.

Following the attacks on 9/11, she decided to establish a Garden of Remembrance for the 343 firefighters who died helping people escape from the World Trade Center. In honor of the Irish American Father Mychal Judge, who was chaplain to the New York Fire Department, and the other 342 who died with him that day, Kathleen determined to create a lasting memory in her home country of Ireland for these men who gave their lives for others.

It was a stunning memorial. A surprising opportunity to find a hidden gem on our visit to Ireland. She had 343 trees planted, one for each firefighter, tagged with the names of those who died serving others. As I walked up and down the rows of trees, some had shirts draped on them, some had small mementos of those who’d visited.

Badges from officers and firefighters all over the states are displayed in the front, honoring their fellow first responders. What’s otherworldly about this is having this bit of American history honoring American firefighters in this small field in the southern part of Ireland.

Kathleen gave her family’s land for the creation of this memorial. She’d been deeply impacted by the selfless sacrifice of these men to the point of doing something about it. It wasn’t just a good thought; she followed through on the construction of this memorial because it meant something to her.

Remembering is often an act of courage and bravery, especially if the incident has been life-changing. In the Bible, God instructs His people to remember significant occurrences to remind them of His faithfulness in providing for and protecting His people. The Passover celebration is one such example. When Moses was asking Pharaoh to release the Israelites from servitude to Egypt, he was the instrument God used to bring ten plagues on the Egyptians. The first nine didn’t change hearts; the tenth plague, the killing of the firstborn in every home not protected by the blood of the Passover lamb. The Israelites who painted the lintels of their doors with the blood of the lamb didn’t lose their firstborn.

“The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day is to be a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to the LORD. You are to celebrate it throughout your generations as a permanent statute.” Exodus 12:13-14.

Remembering important events is a practice we still have today. Kathleen Murphy showed her commitment to those who gave their lives to save others with a generous gift from her heart.

God has done significant things in our lives that we need to remember.

The question is, do you remember all the good He’s done for you?