A Gentle Farewell

I am sad to say that my time in Ireland has come to an end.  Sitting on the plane as I write this, I am surrounded by the familiar American accent.  While I am happy to be going home to my wonderful family and friends, I am also already homesick for Ireland.  It is a peculiar feeling, really.  The desire to be in two places at once is a difficult emotion.  I have begun to make a list of the things I will miss most about Ireland.  Here are just a few:

The accents.  I have long been a lover of Irish accents, even before my venture to the island.  To me it sounds like a beautiful breathy song.  Having the opportunity to hear this day in and day out was one of my favorite parts about living in Ireland.

The people.  I can honestly say that I have never met a more kind and giving culture of people than the Irish.  From day one, I was welcomed to their country with open arms.  For them, no one is a stranger and to treat a person as such would be, as they would put it, “bad form.”  The ones whom I have the great honor of calling my friends have touched my heart in such a way that I shall never forget.

The landscape.  Ireland is truly just as picturesque as you could imagine.  I was lucky to live next to one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen, Ballybunion.  I may be biased, but Kerry has to be the most breathtaking county in Ireland.  And I must say that out of all the towns I visited in Ireland, Listowel was certainly my favorite.  I was incredibly lucky to be placed in the center of such a colorful and bustling town.

The pubs.  Particularly Kevin Broderick’s.  I love how the pubs are a wonderful mix of young and old—some of the best conversations I had while in Ireland were in these pubs.

My students.  I know that as an educator, it is my role to impart knowledge.  However, these girls taught me more than I could have ever imagined.  They somehow managed to both humble and make me feel incredibly special at the same time.  Because of them, I have improved not only as a teacher, but as a person.  I will be forever grateful for them.

I spent my last Irish night in a seaside Dublin hotel.  At sunset I took a stroll on the beach to watch the incredible mix of blues, purples, pinks, and oranges in the sky.  The wind whipping my hair back and forth, I could feel the soft sand pelting my shins.  I lifted my wingspan and could almost imagine myself flying.  Ireland has given me so much.  Before I came here, I was exhausted both emotionally and physically.  Now I am going home feeling as though my soul has been recharged.  In many ways I am a changed person.  A great friend of mine who resides in London told me that I am very likely to go back to my American ways once I return to Kentucky.  Perhaps she is right, but I hope I will never forget this feeling of satisfaction.  Because of this experience I have more confidence in myself, and I don’t think that is something that can easily be washed away.  Yes, I am sad to leave, but I know that my time here is finished—at least for now. 

 A farewell sunset in Dublin.