My last couple days in NYC will stay with me for a long time. I moved into a hotel in Midtown with my aunt Jan. We saw “Once” the musical, about some Irish folk who can go tuh TOWN on some string instruments. I couldn’t keep up with the jumpy Irish women and their violins. The mixed sounds flowed beautifully up to the balcony and into my ears.
We also stepped into an Irish pub and sat at the counter sipping on sprites while joining with everyone else in the excitement of the Olympics on all the big screens.
I met some of our Costello family for the 1st time on my last night. From the way they talked I would’ve guessed they come from some Italian mafia. But nope. We’re all Irish. We talked and laughed, and I mostly listened, to stories about my grandfather and great uncle when they were in their prime (both passed away).
I watched Leap Year with my aunt Jan that night, and I’ll probably watch it again tonight. I don’t fully know the significance of those last two days in NYC, but somehow they've prepared me for this moment.. and these next two weeks. I'm in Ireland. In my heart I told God on the plane to Dublin that it was going to be just the two of us, me and Him (at least for the 1st day). And I immediately felt a wave take over my nerves. I’m not the only one excited.. Sometimes I feel like Amy Adams in Leap Year, strolling through the rainy slushy streets of Ireland with the wrong pair of shoes on.. and asking people to repeat themselves when they use words that I don’t recognize, like “rubbish.” And God is my Declan. At times He’s gently leading me.. and then (when I walk ahead) He’s strolling behind and chuckling at my haphazard decisions. Like the one to not bring rain boots, or to arrive at my bed & breakfast an hour and a half before they open. Anyways..
Let’s explore the motherland together, shall we?
[2 more things to take note of: 1. European clothes were made for me 2. I bought a healthy dinner AND a cute purse.. both for under 6 euro! That's less than 8 dollars! WHAT?]
