Another Perspective on Home

Over Easter Glenn and I again headed Stateside to spend time with family and friends in Manomet. It was wonderful and we are so fortunate to be able to see everyone so regularly.

Glenn had to get back to work in Dublin, but I was able to continue on to Florida afterwards to visit Mom, Mimi, Brian, Kristy, Kaeden, Yosie, Noah and many other family members and friends. This particular visit has me again contemplating the meaning of 'home'. Florida isn't my home. In fact I routinely get lost whenever I venture out on my own down there. But my mother is there and so is my last surviving grandparent. As soon as I arrive - from that first hug - Florida feels as much like home as any other place in the world. Other 'visitors' who are often there at the same time I am - namely Aunts Connie and Debby - are part of this feeling of home as well. We are all in this different place because Mimi chose to leave Manomet and settle there so many years ago and the sense of home speaks to all of us. Home is where the Mom is.

Mimi's health is failing and she's probably not going to be with us for much longer. We celebrated her 98th birthday with her on April 11. She is as old as the Republic of China, New Mexico, and the Boy Scouts Association. On the day she was born, the Titanic arrived in Ireland to pick up her last passengers before sailing for New York. Fenway Park opened 9 days later. A few months after that the Red Sox beat the New York Giants to win the 1912 world series. Mimi has lived through the roaring 20s, the Great Depression, World Wars, the Civil Rights movement, and the age of Flower Power. She has followed the exploits of Amelia Earhart, Bonnie and Clyde, Hitler, Martin Luther King, Jr., and 18 US Presidents. To say Mimi's life is a full one would be an understatement. Up until very recently Mimi has been living with verve that I can only hope to achieve some day. Even when I was there in April and she was feeling rotten, her sense of humor dominated the room. As Mimi will tell you, she's outlived her body but that smile is still there. It meets you at the door and is the last thing you see when you leave her to rest. Her jokes are still there, too. I've visited her in four different houses over the years and this latest apartment in an assisted living facility still imparts a sense of home and of Mimi. The pictures and decorative plates, the furniture, and most of all the joyful greeting are a part of me as they have been since the day I was born.

These days are hard for Mom and her sisters. They are exhausting for Mimi. I wish I could be there with them but other homes call. I am so grateful for the time I spent with all of them in April and over the years. Who knows? Maybe I will have another chance to say goodbye to Mimi when I return in July. Maybe she won't be there anymore when I next visit Florida. I do know that it will still feel like home as soon as Mom's arm are around me and some day Mimi's ghost, just like Bupa's does, will keep us all smiling and feeling at home.

EVENTful Weekend

We had a sporti-licious weekend with so many highlights I just had to write about it. I want to share, but more importantly I want a record of everything that happened this weekend for months from now when the memories fade. It went something like this:
Rugby, rugby afters, rugby, rugby afters, rugby, rugby, rugby, rugby afters, rugby, football.

On Friday Glenn and I caught a bus north with some amazing ladies to see one of my rugby teammates play for the Irish Women's National Team against Italy in the first of the Six Nations Tournament. We were lucky enough to be around for Six Nations last year. The country gets worked up into a Super Bowl like frenzy for each of the five matches the Men's and Women's sides play against Italy, France, England, Scotland, and Wales. Last year the Irish Men's side got a grand slam (won every match and hence the entire tournament) for the first time in over 60 years. It was magical.

Nora was selected for the Irish squad this year after putting in a tremendous amount of training. She started and played incredibly for most of the match. She only went off at the end to give another rookie the chance at playing. A good number were there from our rugby club supporting Nora and the Irish women. Glenn is still star struck! Not able to believe that we can call one of the 22 best rugby players in the country our friend.

After the match we stayed at the club to celebrate Ireland's win and Nora's achievement. The atmosphere was so electrifying. Nora flies to France on Wednesday to prepare for her next international match against a tough French squad on Friday. Go Nora!

On Saturday a good friend gave us a pair of tickets for the Irish Men's match against Italy (Thanks, E). We went to Croke Park with 77, 846 other rugby fans and were rewarded with a great match and another Irish win. Go Ireland! I got to see all of my favorite players up close (from really high up in the stadium) and personal. Watching those tiny figures run around the pitch was truly inspirational. It was our first sporting event in Croke Park. We’ll be back again for the Ireland Wales match in March. Can’t wait
After THAT match we met up with friends who were also at Croker, for a few pints and to watch the England vs. Wales match. Nothing like a Saturday afternoon rugby double header!

We finally left the pub, grabbed a bite to eat and went to the movies. Can anyone guess what we watched? INVICTUS! It just came out over here and Glenn and I were both looking forward to seeing Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon speaking Afrikaans. Glenn was a little tuckered out from our long day and a late night before, so took advantage of the dark theater for some sleepy time. I was glued to the screen and really enjoyed Invictus. The rugby was class and the story was almost too good to believe. Before seeing the movie, a South African friend shared with me the feeling of community and single-mindedness that swept over her troubled country during the 1995 Rugby World Cup. I'll be interested to talk to her again after she sees the movie to get her impressions on Clint Eastwood's level of success in capturing that feeling.

On Sunday, I had my own rugby match to play. Glenn, ever the water carrier, tee holder, and most enthusiastic supporter, was there to cheer us on. We were playing another local club on their (very muddy) pitch. We've played St. Mary's RFC many times in the past. Last year they led our division and beat us solidly every chance they had. This year they are playing in a higher division and have beat us twice in friendlies (scrimmages). Yesterday, we held them to nil all! This was as good as beating them as far as we were concerned. Very exciting. After the match we cleaned up (not an easy task given the conditions of the field – did I mention the mud?) and shared some food and drink with the disappointed Mary's ladies. We then went to yet another pub to watch, you guessed it, yet another rugby match. This time it was France vs. Scotland.
It had already been a long day by the end of that match, but we Americans had hours to go before we slept! Not one, but TWO channels were showing the Super Bowl live last night. And in HD no less. Kick off was at 11:30 PM. American commercials were not shown. We saw the same, very uninspired Dominoes’ commercial at least 72 times. We met about 15 friends at a pub not far from our house and DID NOT eat any buffalo wings, nachos, dips of any kind, or burgers. Bless them, they were handing out sad looking hot dogs to hundreds of grateful NFL fans, but it just wasn't the same. The British sports announcers are really terrible. BUT - what a game! We screamed ourselves hoarse for those Saints along with 90% of the people in the bar. The Colts fans were few and far between. We didn't get home until after 3:30 this morning, but it was worth it to see Payton Manning denied a ring one more time.
Poor Glennie trying to make it through his work day now after one pint too many and too little sleep. His special treat when he gets home? A very healthy dinner of chicken wings, nachos, guacamole, spring rolls, and chips! I think we'll watch some Doritos commercials on You Tube, too.
Yours in Sports!
Jenny

Home?

In November, Glenn and I traveled Stateside for Thanksgiving and a nice, long visit with family. This time there was no big project or hectic schedule. We planned our trip around American Thanksgiving so were able to see almost all of our US friends and family members. What an amazing trip!

We arrived on a Friday and jumped right in with The Annual BBC Birthday Bash for Rob, Erin, and Glenn. This was the seventh year for our party and it was as amazing as each one before. Though we were both a bit jet lagged, we had a blast catching up with everyone who came. We continued the party at the Idlewild until the wee hours, though Glenn and I crashed at about 11. Oh well! Next year we'll try to be the last ones standing.

The next morning the under-12 Idlewild lodgers and I made pancakes of every color for the rest of the folks at the house. Making a big floury mess with the kids at the kitchen island never gets old. Thanks to the magical kitchen fairies who cleaned up after us. What a job!

The rest of the week leading up to Thanksgiving was spent visiting and cooking. J, Betsy, Birch, Jack, Chris, Melissa, Liam, and Quinn were all visiting for parts of the week. We were at the Idlewild, in Buzzard's Bay with Brendan, Rob and Alicia, and at Linda's house on the bluff. I spent hours at Dad's with nephews and sibs. Every time I turned around there was another reason to be thankful.

On Thanksgiving Day we celebrated in seprate houses - Glenn in Buzzards Bay with his family and me at Dad's with mine. A huge turkey dinner, beautiful walk to the sea side, and nice long rest in front of the wood stove made for the perfect day in Manomet. The best part was that we were all together again the next day. No rushing around or hasty exodus.

Eventually the Vermont crew went back to Vermont. Chris and his family went back to their new home in Reading, MA and Glenn flew back to Dublin. I said goodbye to the New Englanders and went to visit with Mom and Mimi in Florida. It was hard to be away from Glenn for 10 days, but so wonderful to see Mimi happily ensconced in her new assisted living facility only 20  minutes from Mom and her old apartment and to see Mom, busy as ever, enjoying her Florida life.

An extra super bonus was seeing Bri and his family for weekend. Brian, Kristy, Kaeden, Yosey, and Noah all travelled to Seminole to spend three days with us. I can't tell you how grateful I was that they could make the trip. All three brothers and all nine nephews (and one amazingly brilliant and precocious Eva) in the span of two weeks was magical. Truly. I can't believe how quickly everyone is growing up. It seems like Noah and Quinn just arrived and here they are walking, talking, and raising hell. Oliver is ready to travel on his own any second now, though he was just a little sleeping lump in a Baby Bjorn the last time we saw him. Eva was telling us about school! And Brendie is just too big for me to comprehend. The Vermont boys are little men and Liam is one step away from MENSA or breaking his father's sanity in two. Kaeden and Yosey are all grown up now. Kaeden is hitting those pre-teen years and Yosey, much like his father was at his age, is happily living half in reality and half in a dazzling imaginary world where the sky is the limit. I am so honored to know each of these amazing children and an so proud of their parents for the phenomenal job they are doing raising them.

Back to Florida....It was good to get to know Mom's new friend, Bill who treats her like a queen and ALMOST gets her quirky sense of Martin humor. I'm happy that they have both found some companionship and more laughter in their lives. Of course Mom has scheduled almost every last minute of her day with some group or activity. She is was constantly at meeting, rehearsals or at the church organizing their annual holiday fair - a huge success of course. Florida weather wasn't cooperating (cool, cloudy, rainy) so I was happy to tag along with Mom and see some of her many friends in the process. Connie came down too, so we had plenty of card games and nice meals out all together.

When I first arrived at Mimi's new pad, they were wheeling her out to a waiting ambulance after shed' fainted in the activity room. The first time I spoke to her was in the emergency room where she had already recovered her sense of humor and energy (when asked why she fainted, she replied that the party was getting boring and she felt she needed to do something to shake things up). After checking her out thoroughly, the doctors found nothing majorly wrong with the Mim-ster and sent her home. After that auspicious beginning (and a subsequent, and equally harmless tumble into a huge Toys for Tots box the next day), Mimi and I had a great time exploring her new digs, watching old home movies, and chatting. She really is happy in this new home and it makes me smile to think of her there. Though she's determined to "go North" before she gets to the age of 100, I have a feeling I'll be visiting her a few more times in her new place. At 97, she is still going strong.

The one feeling I couldn't shake from the time we landed to the minute I was back on the plane to Dublin was how much I missed my Irish family. This was the first trip to the states where I felt like a visitor. I felt right at home at the same time. This is the same mix of feelings I have when I am in Dublin, too. In fact, I started feeling more at home in Florida this trip, too. It made me wonder where home really was or what the word even means. Glenn and I are very fortunate to have more than one home on this planet and a family that stretches around the globe.

I hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday season and cherish your homes and families in 2010. Peace. Jenny and Glenn

Girls Weekend

In November, a gaggle of Belvo ladies traveled north to Carlingford - a beautiful seaside town near the border of Northern Ireland. We rented a couple of houses for two nights and had so much fun gallivanting around the town. It was the perfect way for all of us of get to know some of the brave newer players who joined us. On the first night we took over one of the local pubs. The next morning after scavenging for food, we went to the Carlingford Outdoor Centre where split into two teams (Irish vs. non-Irish) and went head to head on various challenges. Of course the non-Irish kicked bootie on the ropes course, the Bishop’s Chair, the blind maze, and all puzzles. The Irish team may have another story. Regardless - we all had some fun stories to share later in the day. That night after watching a little footie on TV we headed to a country bar - that's right - country music, cowboy boots and hats, the whole bit. Strange in the northern part of Ireland, but a good hoedown none the less.

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend with some of my favorite ladies. Sadly, Glenn decided to stay home and battle a cold he had been suffering from for over two weeks at that point. He wanted to be sure he was healthy for our Thanksgiving trip to Plymouth. As of this post (11 January), Glenn is still fighting the same cold. He did go to the doctor last week. Perhaps one of the three antibiotics she prescribed will do the trick. Fingers crossed.

Halloween in Dublin

Can't wait 'till next year!