And That’s What You Missed On…

Previously on Matt’s House of Brigid Blogs: I focused a lot on metaphors. What does a random story or event that happened mean? What can I learn from it? What bible passage about plant-life can I relate to it? All of these are great, and enabled me to really get my creative juices flowing at least once every other month when it was my turn to write the blogs. But a problem has now arisen: I’ve run out of ideas of how to keep connecting them to flowers.

But that’s okay. Because now I’m in my second year in the House of Brigid. It’s kind of like the sequel to a hit novel. Or the follow-up movie to the box-office topping action move. Or even the second season to that new Netflix show that everyone keeps telling you to watch. Before this new year starts, however, let me catch you all up on what you’ve missed so far.

When you last heard from me in June I talked all about Saint Peter, quoted Winnie the Pooh, and spoke about all of the good my community and I did last year albeit the difficulties and struggles. Little did I know there would be more difficulties to come – particularly in traveling home to the States. Unbeknownst to me, someone at the airline decided it would be a good idea to change my flight to 24 hours earlier. And me, trying to live in the present moment, also thought it would be a good idea to not double check my flight details until midnight the night before I was supposed to leave to the airport to go home. Long story short, I was on hold on the phone for about 3 hours with the airline trying to get it all sorted, and I ended up having to re-book a flight for the next day. So, after a very stressful night, I ended up having an extra 24 hours in Dublin. I used it to hang out with Katie, the only other community member still there at the time, finish a book, and buy one last iced vanilla latte (a true Irish delicacy that cannot be found anywhere else). When I was finally able to get to my flight, I was held up in American Customs, most likely due to the fact that I was 15 in my passport photo and don’t look like that child anymore. Eventually, though, I landed in New Jersey.

The day after I landed I started working my summer job: a teacher at a daycare/enrichment center/summer camp. I’ve worked at this place for the past 5 summers, and enjoy it every year. The kids are always an adventure, the staff is incredibly fun, and it’s a good way to get outside and be active for the summer months. This year, however, due to an unfortunate medical issue with my boss/friend, I essentially became the interim manager, and was responsible for 30+ staff and around 200 children aged 2-5. This was a task that I was more than willing and able to take on. However, I was not expecting all of the difficulties and stress that came with it. I got through the summer, no child was harmed, and I would be happy to help out again to whatever capacity is needed. And I will forever appreciate teachers, administrators, and anyone who enjoys organizing daily arts and crafts with 5 year olds.

I also have been starting to think of my future and life after Ireland (gross, I know). I somehow came to the conclusion that I like learning, putting myself through stressful test anxiety, and being in debt, so I will most likely look to go to grad school soon. Due to this decision, pretty much any free time I had this summer was spent studying for the GRE. I ended up taking it the day before I flew back to Ireland, only to soon realize that nearly all of the programs I am looking to apply to do not require it anymore.

For two weekends of the summer I took two separate road trips: one down to Washington D.C., and one up to Boston. I was able to see a dozen or so friends from university that I haven’t seen since we were all abruptly displaced due to the pandemic. I even saw my old choir director/greatest mentor. He was essentially the man who inspired me to come to Ireland and serve the church and its people in the first place, so it was an amazing honor and opportunity to hug him again, and tell him I would be returning for another year.

Other than that, my summer was pretty straightforward.

I went to a Mets game, which turned into a doubleheader (two games). The Mets won one game, and lost the other – pretty indicative of my feelings for them: disappointed but always holding out hope for something better.

I got a new pencil case.

Dog sat for a couple of cool pups.

Oh, my sister was finally able to have her wedding which was postponed a year due to Covid. That was nice. I probably should have put that before the pencil case thing. Oh well.

And then I flew back to Ireland. I took the bus down to Wexford, suitcase and ukulele in hand, and moved into my new room overlooking a distant field of sheep (very different from my view out of my window last year in Dublin, by the way). To try and fight the jet lag I decided to go into work with Emma the next day, and every day since. Father Barry and Dennis are doing a wonderful job keeping us busy so we don’t get too lonely without the rest of our community here yet (but we cannot wait for Shannon and Emily and the rest of the Dublin crew to make their way over ASAP).

So yeah, I’d say you’re all pretty much caught up with me now. I shaved my beard since the last post, symbolizing the ~end of one story line~ but grew my hair out longer to show that time has passed (all the makings of a new season). I really hope it’s not a season that comes along and completely ruins everything that the fans have loved about the show up until that point (yeah, I’m looking at you, season 5 of Glee). But when I do have those worries, it’s Saint Peter that seems to always calm me down, just like old times. The Gospel reading on the first day that I went into Mass completely jet lagged was the call of Peter, when Jesus told him that he would become a “fisher of men” – the Bible story that drew me to Peter in the first place. I’m sure there will be new problems, new characters, new adventures, and everything else that comes with a new season, or sequel, this year. It sounds scary, but it also sounds really, really exciting.

I hope you tune in with me to find out how it goes.