A DECADE OF REALITIES

 

A series of essays….

A GOOD REASON TO CELEBRATE 

       Courtesy of Red Earth

….as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E Hughes

Comprised of ten years, or one-hundred and twenty months, which equals five-hundred and twenty-one point seventy-eight weeks — I’ll stop right there! Leap years happen every four years and are important so that our calendar year matches the solar year — the amount of time it takes for Earth to make a trip around the Sun. Leave it to our Earth — always in a hurry!

A decade can be a lengthy, short, or moderate amount of time depending upon our personal perspective. As a baby-boomer, adding ten healthy years to my life expectancy can be a toss-up between good and bad: yeah, I’m happy to have lived another ten years or, no, unfortunately, I am ten years closer to…well, you know, the end of my personal rodeo. Whereas, an eight-year old might be thinking more about independence or going off to college in ten years time. 

A ten year time span can be gauged positive or negative depending upon various factors such as health, economic means, quality of life, support from family and friends, or our own futuristic prospects, goals, and dreams. I read somewhere that if and when we stop dreaming, this is when a productive life begins to wane, decrease in its momentousness. Holding on to our hopes and aspirations will always give us something to look forward to, as well as a raison d’être, a reason for being, no matter what our age might be!

Even through the most difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic, my dream of travel was never completely undermined; just delayed. I believe my writing and Blog essays kept me going most of the time and still do, today. 

It all began a decade ago, due to our Irish friend and traditional Irish music artist whom we reunited with back in 2013, Adrian O’Connor. Adrian lives in the colorful village of Doolin, located in County Clare, with his amazing wife, Bev. Doolin is considered a trad music hotspot, as well as a gateway to the ancient sites on the Aran Islands, which are just offshore. The towering Cliffs of Moher lie southwest of town. Farther north and east, the Burren is a stark area of limestone beds and extreme beauty, not to be missed.

CRAGGY ISLAND BED & BREAKFAST

Dan and I met Bev and Adrian on a previous trip to the Wild Atlantic Way along the west coast of Ireland when they hosted our stay at Craggy Island B&B in Doolin. Adrian sat with us back then in his parlor and gave a history lesson in Irish traditional music (folk music) and how he has played a part in it over the years. That visit solidified our love for the west coast of Ireland. Adrian and Bev made us want to return. And, we did! We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary there in September of 2013. 

Unfortunately, due to health reasons, they had to give up running their two-story, white stucco home as a Bed & Breakfast so that Adrian could recoup his health and become stronger. Unfortunately, Bev was out that afternoon we stopped by Craggy Island. Even though it had been seven years between visits, when Adrian came to the front door I saw the ‘twinkle of recognition’ in his dark blue eyes. We sat outside in the gracious Irish sunshine and talked about everything. Eventually, I asked him about a promise he once made to me seven years before.

ADRIAN O’CONNOR PLAYING
THE SMALL SET OF PIPES

He silently sauntered back into the house as if remembering the kettle was on, and I knew what he was after as tears already began to flow from my eyes. Adrian returned within moments carrying a small set of pipes that appeared as old and craggy as our dear friend, himself. He promised to play the pipes for us seven years ago, but we’d all been too busy for this private concert to take place. Now, through his illness and recovery, as sure as the salty Atlantic winds continue to lash relentlessly across this amazing coastline, Adrian’s music washed over us like a Mother’s sweet breath as we stood swaying back and forth…promise fulfilled.

I could barely make out his face through my tears. As sure as the Irish sun was shining down upon us, I knew we were in the midst of a power so mysterious and strong, it was bigger than all of us, yet was all of us combined. Love isn't complicated. You just have to be aware of it with every breath you take. My 'tears of happiness' equaled nothing short of pure peace and much needed solace. I can’t thank you enough, my friend.......!

Many things crossed my mind as we were pulling out of Adrian's gravel driveway and waving good-bye to our friend and soulmate. He was a survivor and possessed talent beyond compare. He made you believe in yourself. And, his unselfishness spread warmth and kindness to the four corners of County Clare and beyond. 

Adrian made me do it! His will to carry-on within the uncertain world we live in coupled with his desire to continue to cherish everything he loved, told me I needed to share this story with others. On Friday, October 18, 2013, I published my first Blog post that was simply entitled, Adrian. MOVING ON…..2013 was officially born! 

I will always see Ireland as a rich, artistic performance, alive with nuance, as in forty shades of green! With nearly five-hundred stories/essays behind me, basically, one essay per week of Blogging, I know many of them reference my beloved Ireland and how this magical place piqued my interest as I gathered friends there and so many memories; so many stories to write about.

Accordingly, Dan and I will continue traveling this September (our favorite time of the year) collecting more stories to be shared with all of you. We plan to celebrate our 50th anniversary in Wales with side trips in Devon and the Cotswolds. There will be so many rich stories to relay to you upon returning home, once again. I can hardly wait…!

Copyright © 2023 by Jacqueline E Hughes

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