What a difference a few years make - Sarah
then and
now - heading off to school. (Note worried look, jam-packed car with dorm stuff and life belongings vs one suitcase and a look of no worries)
After depositing Eric just a few miles from the ocean for his studies, and waving goodbye to Sarah, we hopped on a plane destined for Ireland for a great week with dear friends. What better distraction from my suddenly empty nest? (okay so 21 years might not seem that sudden to you)
While Dublin proved to be an exciting place to be, in part due to the Notre Dame v. Navy football game, it was the lovely country side of old rock fence rows dividing the rolling fields all the way to the sea that was the best part of the trip for me. From Dublin to Kilkenny, and Kenmare to Birr, the people of Ireland proved delightful and friendly, whether it was in a pub or along our way by the road.
Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny was just as wonderful as I remembered.
The gardens of Mt. Juliet
then and
now.
The Cliffs of Moher then and now.
 |
| ERIC 2001 |
 |
| ERIC 2001 |
 |
| KEVIN 2012 |
 |
| 2012 |
An Irish beach
then and
now
 |
| SARAH & ERIC 2001 |
 |
| KEVIN 2012 |
As our week came to an end, and we arrived back to our home, I imagined how strange it would be with no one expecting us, but all I had to do was open the car door to these two faces, and realize that while the nest may be void of our two-legged loved ones, there are still plenty of the four-legged variety to greet us daily and make us feel much loved and needed. So I guess the nest isn't so empty after all.
While Dublin proved to be an exciting place to be, in part due to the Notre Dame v. Navy football game, it was the lovely country side of old rock fence rows dividing the rolling fields all the way to the sea that was the best part of the trip for me. From Dublin to Kilkenny, and Kenmare to Birr, the people of Ireland proved delightful and friendly, whether it was in a pub or along our way by the road. Mount Juliet in County Kilkenny was just as wonderful as I remembered.
As our week came to an end, and we arrived back to our home, I imagined how strange it would be with no one expecting us, but all I had to do was open the car door to these two faces, and realize that while the nest may be void of our two-legged loved ones, there are still plenty of the four-legged variety to greet us daily and make us feel much loved and needed. So I guess the nest isn't so empty after all.
