In this week's Weekend Engagement I chose the following subject to write about:

Live again

You're dead, but have the chance to live again. Would you choose to live the same life you already had or would you choose to live a different life altogether? If so, who's life? Explain your answer.

Who'd be the lucky body to have my spirit?

Statue of Grainne O'Malley in front of Westport House in Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland source

Haha, that's a joke of course...
The question seemed like it was one that could be answered easily.
I thought so at first.
But it's not as simple as it seems.
There are a few things to consider...

If I died, and get the chance to live again, and I'd choose to come back as myself, would I start over? Would it turn back the clock, and would I be born again?
I've seen someone mention the butterfly effect, or the ripple effect, in one post if the person would come back as themselves but change things in their lives that made them suffer. But wouldn't there be all kinds of ripple effects if one were to come back as someone else as well? I mean, if you have the knowledge about them, something they weren't aware of when they started their lives. Wouldn't you change the course of things to avoid heartache and pain in your new body too?

I decided not to overthink it too much, and just take the question as it was asked, without thinking about whether there'd be consequences and such.
I'd like to think that my kids would be taken care of, and maybe have families of their own.

For a moment, I was thinking I'd ask to come back as another animal because there didn't seem to be a clear message that that wasn't allowed but I chose a person instead. Although, if I could come back as an animal, it'd be an Orca or an Eagle. The Harpy Eagle to be precise...

Grainne (or Grace) O'Malley: The Pirate Queen of Ireland

What's there not to like? Stemming from a long dynasty of the most fearsome Pirates, she definitely made her mark in the history books.

Not only did she further her family's line of business, she excelled in it, and got away with it! The British called her a pirate, as they would call anyone who raised up against their tyranny. But many historians and legends tell a completely different story. She was a warrior, who fought against the British flag.
I even heard somewhere that she gave some of her riches back to the people, which would make her into a female, real life Robin Hood. I couldn't find any information about that, so it could just be rumors as well. Much of what has been written about her could be untrue, since she lived in the 1500's.

What I admire about her? She took over the job from her husband and father after they had died. Life was certainly not easy for her, since there weren't any female chieftains. She fought to keep her lands and properties, and did things you couldn't even imagine any man would do.

She even went to see Queen Elisabeth I in order to ask for her help. To free her captured fleet, and her son (who was supposed to be hanged) from prison.
In return, she would leave her life as a pirate, and help the Queen fight the Spanish. The Queen gave her what she wanted but Grace returned back to her old life quickly. I feel there was a mutual sort of respect on both sides. Two powerful women but one who fought for everything she had, the other born into it.

In a time when life expectancy wasn't very long, maybe 40 if you were lucky, Grainne O'Malley lived to well into her 70's, leading me to believe that despite the battles, and rough life, she lived quite a healthy lifestyle, with good food, and... well... plenty of exercise...

She had an exciting and interesting life. I think that even though she was a fearless warrior, she must have enjoyed the life. I can live with that!

She was born and raised in the West of Ireland. County Mayo to be precise. An area I know quite well since we lived there for 6 years, and close by for another 4.

One legend goes that she was back to her battles at sea, doing what she did best, just minutes after she gave birth. That sounds like something I would do!
Which brings me to a question: Who was I in a former life? 😆

Conclusion

I've always been fascinated by pirates, and from a very young age, I thought they were on the right side of things. Fighting tyranny and injustice.
Although most of our history books won't yet admit it, this now seems to be presented as the truth more and more. We're starting to understand more about what must have happened in those days, and we know now that governments then, and now, like to paint a picture in their favor.

In a time when it was hard enough as a man to stand up to tyranny, a woman with no rights like the men who preceded her, stepped up to the plate and fought for her country, and for what was right. I don't think there's anything more I need to say about that.

Sources:

I'll leave you with a song about Grainne by Kinnia. Enjoy!