No matter how hard I tried, I could not get myself to write this final blog post. Much like Morgan writing the post before mine, my May due date came and went, because I couldn’t find the words to describe what this experience has meant to me. Even now, as I sit on the train in a booth with my community members on our way home to Wexford, I still can’t seem to find those words. However, after our closing retreat day in Greystones with the Dublin House of Brigid I was able to find a story, so we’ll see if that does the trick.
This morning, we traveled from all over to gather in Greystones
(we all flew from different parts of the United States to Ireland)
We made a plan for the day but we didn’t quite follow it
(our timeline for arrival here didn’t go as planned)
We made up our minds to run into the Irish sea but we knew it would hurt
(leaving our family and friends behind as life seemed to go in without us was difficult)
Some of us slipped as we stepped into the water
(we struggled and made mistakes)
We pulled each other up
(we came together as a community of support)
After some hesitation and fear, we went all the way under
(despite our anxieties, we gave our full hearts to this program and the communities we served)
We laughed through the pain of the icy cold water
(we found joy in our darkest times)
After all that, when we stepped out of the icy water we suddenly felt warmer
(reflecting on this experience, we realized we have grown in more ways than we imagined)
When I wrote my first blog post at the beginning of this year, I wrote about how much I loved planning and how difficult I found it to accept when things didn’t go as planned. Although I still love a perfectly coordinated dinner party or birthday gift, this past year has taught me that it’s also important to take a leap of faith and just jump sometimes. There have been so many people here in Ireland that have helped me to make one jump or another, and I cannot thank them enough.
To my family and friends who encouraged me to follow this dream of mine.
To Fr. Barry, whose compassion and concern for others is only matched by his quick wit and sense of humor.
To Fr. Denis, for making Wexford feel like home with every dinner.
To Sr. Anne, for your delicious scones, constant encouragement, and words of wisdom when our community needed it the most.
To Emma, for being a sister in faith–sharing all of the laughter, tears, and of course, Outlander.
To Matt, because all of the dad jokes aside, I could not have made it through the year without you.
To Emily, for our run across the neighborhood after the ice cream trunk and all the joy-filled memories since.
To Katy, Morgan, Sammie, and Dan, for making Dublin into a home away from home.
To Stephanie, for being one of my first and closest friends in Wexford.
To Ruairi, Peter, and everyone involved in the Folk Choir, Vigil Choir and Family Liturgy Group at Clonard for the beautiful music and memories we made together.
To everyone who has contributed to Teach Bhríde over the years to keep this incredible program alive.
To Sr. Mary, for all of your support, kindness, and graciousness whenever we crossed paths.
To Marianne, for the calls and support felt even from miles away
To the Tea Ladies, for the infinite laughs and stories that make up the highlight of each morning at Clonard.
To Declan, for all of the early morning lifts to the bus stop, or the ferry at Rosslare Harbor, and the laughs we shared on the way.
To Clara, the Jolly Rogers, and all of my friends in the Light Opera Society, for welcoming me into the family and sharing the Opera House stage with me.
To Ben, for everything.
And of course, to Ireland.
My spirituality has always been connected to music. Various songs from over the years will forever be associated with the people and experiences that have shaped my faith. When I said my goodbyes to the Folk Choir last spring, it was the words of Lead, Kindly Light that reduced me to tears. This year it is the beautiful lyrics of May the Road Rise to Meet You, based on the popular Irish blessing, that have been echoing in my head and will continue to remind me of this experience over the coming years. So for now, with tears streaming down my face, here is one last song for you all.
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again
May you keep safe
In the gentle loving arms of God
All My Love,
Shannon
