10 days in Ireland MarchApril 2015: I don't know if I'm coming or going

Sitting in Toronto Airport waiting to board I'm not sure what's in store for me over the next ten days. Not having the love of my life, Frances, with me feels a little strange but the prospect of meeting some of the guys from my leaving certificate class (Final year of high school) is pretty exciting. It's been 50 years since we finished high school or secondary as we would call it in Ireland. What stories we all have; if only we could capture all of them!
I got checked-in and through security in about 10 min - that's a record for me! I met a couple I know from Sean O'Seasnain's; Colette & Sean, in the waiting area and chatted for quite a while.They're heading to limerick for a bedding (oops a Freudian slip maybe not!) a wedding & will stay about 20 days.

At about 1 hr from landing I had a feeling I've had several times before when visiting Ireland. Having lived in Ireland for more than 40 years it feels like going home but home is where the heart is and my heart is in Canada with Frances and my children. The confusion arises because I have family & many great friends still living in Ireland and that's the attraction, the draw & the confusion for me. The country is fabulous, no doubt , & Dublin will always be the place of my birth but Canada is now my home. Canada is where I was able to become me; where I realized dreams that I felt were beyond my grasp in Ireland; where Frances and I have had a wonderful, happy life. I guess I'm leaving home and coming home. I don't know if I'm coming or going. Whatever: I'm glad I'm here now.

The flight was a little bumpy and the guy beside gave me strange looks each time I grabbed his arm in terror.Then there was the guy in front.The limerick explains all.

There was an old guy on the plane

And boy did he make me complain

I called him Art

Cause the bugger did fart

Again & again & again