Family Friends in Enniscorthy

I figure that generally, opportunities come from who you know, and not what you know. So before moving over here, I posted on social media that I was moving, inquiring that if anyone had any connections to people in Ireland that they point me in their direction. I didn’t really have any expectation of what would emerge from it, perhaps a lead for a job or an apartment, but what I found was so much more rewarding.

Connected through a moms’ friend’s husband’s cousin I feel that I have family in this far away place. Though I’m connected through a rather obscure relation, I have been welcomed into this home as if I was any other member of their family. I’ve stayed with them for a random few days when I first arrived, for Christmas, and even to celebrate their Son’s first birthday. Whenever they are in Dublin, I received a call to meet for a coffee. I have an open invitation to stay with them away from the hustle and bustle of Dublin, to experience Irish life a bit more rurally, to stay with family.

Staying in Enniscorthy, where their home is, I found that this rural Ireland wasn’t nearly as rural as I imagined. I’ve driven through a fair amount of rural America. So I think I have somewhat of an understanding of what a small town looks like. Thus, somehow in my mind’s picture, I imagined these quaint tiny towns with one main street, one grocery store, and a few houses on the outskirts. Rather, the little towns I drove through had several stores, markets, churches, and more. On one occasion, we went to the larger town of Wexford to admire art and wandered through an exhibit full of Irish artists. It was quite a treat to view a stranger’s creativity live on a large page.

But staying at their beautifully humble estate has provided more wonder. Their house was originally built in the seventeenth century, with additions at various stages until the 1980s. There are multiple buildings on the property, with the house, a smaller house, a barn, and a large shed. If I remember correctly, The property sits on two acres. This place seems it will be a perfect environment to raise a family. Sweet 15-month-old Hugo is in for a glorious childhood, with land to explore and love radiating throughout the house.

This love was immensely present on a day about celebrating family, blessings, and of course, presents. When I looked around the house, it was obvious that I was the only person there not a direct member of the family. Everyone was either related by blood or marriage. But that didn’t stop them from welcoming me unconditionally into their home. I received Christmas pajamas to wear and thoughtful books. I didn’t think Santa would know that I was all the way in Ireland! Then there was Christmas dinner which was a wild experience, as turkey AND ham were on all the plates. Even two kinds of gravy! The roughly 30 hours I spent there, nudged between shifts at Bewley’s, were the perfect breath of holiday air I needed to sustain me for the season.

When I imagined my mom renting a car in Ireland I immediately hoped there would be an opportunity to bridge these families; the family I originated in and this lovely adopted one.  Bringing my mom to this special rural town with these special people was such a delight. This visit also happened to coincide with Hugo’s first Birthday! We shared a hearty Irish meal and consumed a considerable amount of wine. Much of what I recall is a blur, though the sentiment of comfort remained.

This family, these people have taught me so much about the power of love. About caring for fellow humans, regardless of the official relation. If there is any purpose to have, this may be one of the most crucial. To be a host for love. Love can be many things, complicated or simple, lasting or fleeting, light or intense. But from what I’ve gathered from this journey and journeys before, is that this energy is among the most powerful we humans can fathom. And it may seem odd to receive such hospitality and warmth from people that prior to October were strangers. Though perhaps they understand the value of having people unconditionally care for you physically close by. Perhaps they are just being nice. Regardless, this beautiful family, my family friends in Enniscorthy are helping me in ways unimaginable. They are there for me in a way that I hope one day I can be for someone like me.