Easter Sunday
April 5, 2015
Easter Sunday arrived with the promise of sunshine and warmer temperatures. The warmth of the bright sun was welcome after the cold temperatures of the past few days. Following a quick phone call to my good friend Declan, I was soon sitting in his living room sipping coffee and chatting as though I had never left Ireland.
Declan
I will admit there was some ‘catching up’ needed. Helen, Diarmuid and Brendan joined in the chat and laughter combined with ‘slagging’ was the order of the day.
Helen
The boys and Declan are all heading towards the completion of their Masters Degrees and as I said when leaving, “next time I come they will be qualified ‘eejits‘”. Of course in my heart I think they are all so great and Declan and Helen have the right to be so very proud … which they are, but probably would never admit! Declan is amazing taking on a masters as a very mature student and now considering continuing further. That man does not know how not to work hard. He is truly an inspiration.
I had a most entertaining visit with an old acquaintance, Michael Bushell before heading back to Monalea park. This was delightful walk but I found out later that day there is a shortcut across a bridge which would have shortened the walk significantly but I enjoyed the longer walk and I probably needed it.
Susan, Rosin and I arrived at David and Bernadette’s house around 4:30 for dinner and what a fabulous dinner it was.
David
Stuffed chicken breast wrapped in a type of bacon and all the comfort vegetables including parsnips which I have been wary of in the past but enjoyed so much. “Thanks Bernadette for reintroducing me to a very tasty vegetable!”
Dessert
The conversation, fun and laughter around that table was so special. David and Bernadette’s sons Mark and Stephen who joined us are extremely bright and personable; it was a pleasure to spend time in their company.
L to R Rosin,Susan,Stephen, David, Tom, Mark
Bernadette on extreme Right
Rosin & Susan
Mark & Stephen are podiatrists and, from our conversation, look to have a very bright future ahead. It was so nice to see David enjoying his family and being the “dad”. My memories of him as a young man show just how wrong I can be! David has managed his career in an amazing manner and deserves the rewards that ensued. I am lucky to be able to call him a friend and even luckier to have him as a first cousin (once removed as I have just learned). Bernadette looked stunning as usual and prepared a fabulous mean and incredible dessert. I’d go back again next week except I’ll be back in Canada.
Today’s enjoyment just goes on and on.
A short bus ride to Ahern’s pub to meet Hank, Helen, Maureen, Jim, Phil and Don Cashin resulted in an evening where, as we say in Dublin, “The Craic was 90”.
Phil,Helen, & Maureen (90 years old)
Hank
Jim
Jim & Don
Don
Jokes and stories galore and of course the slagging was fierce; well Hank was there! And much to my surprise and delight Hank laughed occasionally when a joke was told. Maybe he didn’t get the jokes before! In any event it was a very entertaining evening. They even tolerated my rendition of Micheal Mor. We were also graced briefly by the presence of the deep voiced Belvedere alumnus Mr. Nicky Buggy who was ‘out on the tare’ without his lovely wife Bernie. Notably absent were my good friends Patsy and Jack O’Rourke.
As I rode home via taxi I realized how lucky I am to have such great friends in my life. They welcomed me back into their company even though my contact with them over the years has been random and sparse. What fabulous people you are … thank you.
I drifted off to sleep with wonderful thoughts of the evening and the past 8/9 days and realizing tomorrow Monday is my last full day in Ireland … Hmmm.
Looks like another fabulous day Tom, we are so lucky to have such great people in our lives. I think it's time to come home you are having too good a time there😜.
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