Incredibly blessed in 2003, we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary at Waterford Castle in Ireland. For two weeks, we toured the country gathering memories like the most precious of crystal treasures! We ate shepherd’s pie at the Flesk in Killarney, a ham & cheddar sandwich on freshly baked bread in a public house, aka a pub, established in the late 1600’s in Cork. We sipped in Galway, a pint for him and a Bushmill’s for me. We savored the earthy aroma of a turf fire in Bundoran as we curled up to read with a cup of Irish tea and delightful soda bread. We hiked along the cliffs of Moher, rode a jaunting car around Muckross House, explored uninhabited Innisfallen Island, and toured Trinity College where we saw handwritten and decorated pages of the Bible. We listened to gypsy bands on Grafton Street and lingered at the fountains in St. Stephen’s Green. We enjoyed a stroll along the quay in Dingle and got lost in County Tipperary ending up in Carrick On Suir. Of all our adventures, Ireland holds a special place in my heart. The fact I am Scot-Irish-Native American may have a wee bit to do with that. But I believe it is the charm of the country, the hospitality of the people, and the luck of a life with a kindred soul sharing wanderlust.
From the time we stepped off the plane at Dublin International; we enjoyed the best of kindness from a culture of people ready to laugh spinning a tale to share a bit of themselves with the Yanks. We chose a cab from the airport as flying all night and driving in a new city intimidated us. Our first night at the Grafton House gave us a tiny glimpse of the quaint European charm awaiting us for the next two weeks. We returned to the airport the next day, picked up a car and traveled around the island spending a night here or two there. We visited countless archeological sites, ancient tomb portals called dolmens and castle ruins. Our hearts entwined with the culture, the people, the lifestyle, we didn’t want to leave. We knew we must, but we vowed we would return one day.
That day can no longer happen as he passed some time ago. Those treasured moments are tucked away in a special part of my heart. The memory of his laughter is a balm on my troubled soul as I recall the shared joy of exploration and discovery. Thousands of priceless moments spin until I secure them away again. Those loving moments of the man of my dreams soothes my sleep now. How lucky I am for the loan of such a charming and funny soul-mate, one full of romance and a vast fount of historical knowledge. Travel together was not just learning about new places and cultures, but an adventure!
Though we never thought to see another sight as beautiful as Ireland, we visited some amazing places in our short time together. God was having an exceptionally good week when He created this world for there are wonders words cannot express; you have to engage all of your senses living them as they happen. A crashing wave on the Pacific coast accompanied by the piercing cry of an eagle or a perfumed trade breeze in the South Pacific islands while savoring sweet fruit juices, each carries a plaintive cry of our hearts. Hearing an iceberg calf crash in the coastal waters of Alaska or the roar of a grizzly in Denali cannot compare to the untouched and quiet splendor of the tundra. Sunrise over the Atlantic, noon over the plains of the Midwest, or sunset over the Rockies of the Southwest is not nearly as dramatic as seeing the light play over water, grain or mountains. Each moment is but a glimpse of what awaits us.
No tower in Paris, ruin in Mexico, castle in Ireland, or grand cathedral in any city anywhere will come close to the splendor of our mansions in heaven. No priceless display in any museum in any part of the world will compare to those beautiful crowns we receive for serving His kingdom. No carefully prepared and elegantly served meal will match the celebration at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. No one can witness the innocence of a child’s smile, feel the arms of a loved one holding them close one last time or listen to the abandoned laughter of pure joy and continue to doubt.
On this day of celebration where everyone claims a bit of Irish blood, I recall our Emerald Isle trip. There are no leprechauns guarding pots of gold or lucky charms to attach to dreams, but treasured moments I hold most dear. I know I will one day see my husband again, and we will be on an unending adventure in a place more beautiful than any I’ve ever seen or wanted to visit. I will sing, laugh, and dance where the only man-made thing will be scars on the hands and feet of Jesus. I will need no more salve for my hurts or tissues to wipe away the tears for I will be praising and worshiping my King with unfettered joy. No wishes, no dreams, no memento from any earthly destination will compare to the jeweled reality of heaven. I will be home, forever.
Beautiful words! I loved Ireland also...it was one of my favorite trips, so far, in this lifetime.
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