MERRY AND BRIGHT

Saturday, December 05, 2015
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
After a somewhat melancholy farewell to Scotland, I caught a cheap flight back to Ireland where I met my mother for a week together. While I was delighted to be headed to see her, it was hard to leave Scotland after a month of wonderful discovery. Leaving was a turning point in my journey - a departure from the quiet introspection that I had finally become accustomed to. Once adjusted to the state of solitude, it's hard to readjust to having to share that space with others.   

Once I touched down and was reacquainted with Dublin, I relaxed and became excited about my time here . Almost immediately apparent was how much friendlier a city it was. Edinburgh was full of nice people, but Dublin just bubbles over with enthusiasm and laughter. The colorful doors and pubs blurred together by the wind and the rain create a cheerful and cozy glow that seem to welcome you inside to warm up with a pint and a fire. It was good to be back.

I was alone for a day before meeting my mother on O'Connell Bridge after her very long journey. I know we were both relieved when she stepped off the airport shuttle and we were reunited. I took her to Merchant's Arch for a bowl of lamb stew and a bit of Irish music before we both poured ourselves into bed. We originally had plans to travel to Cork for her birthday but we ended up scrapping those plans to stay in Dublin and do some day trips out to Newgrange and Kilkenny - a wise decision and a much better use of her time in Ireland. It was simply so nice to have my Momma in town. A mental and spiritual rejuvenation at the perfect time in my journey . She and I always have fun together, and it was another special time. Our last trip together was the celebration of my 30th in Paris, and here we were in Ireland celebrating her 68th! 

We packed in so many things in the short week we had together, they're all compacted inside my head as a blur. Highlights include celebrating out in Temple Bar where mom finished a pint and then some, and had the band and entire Quays pub sing to her; introducing her to a dear friend, Melissa who made a glorious cameo from Phoenix; visiting Kilmainham Gaol and Newgrange; the rainbow over Saint Kevin's Cross, and sharing many meals and whiskeys over late night chats. Somewhere in all of that we celebrated a quiet Thanksgiving on a bus back from Kilkenny with a to-go container of potatoes and root vegetables! I am so grateful for her visit and thankful for my dad sending her over. It will be a memory that I will cherish forever. 

Happy birthday, beautiful Mama. Much love today and for always. 

Comments

Krishna
2015-12-05

Love Dublin and so glad you got to experience it. Reading your adventures of this great city was so fun and takes me back there! Thank you!

2025-02-07

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