Growing Down

This idea of "growing down" occurred to me a few years ago. I was thinking about the way that children live- so carefree & unburdened by virtually anything, quick to bounce back from troubles, and absolutely forgiving. There's so much pressure to grow up, when really, a better solution, is to grow down. Growing down doesn't mean abandoning responsibility, it simply means becoming like a child again- playful, silly, and full of joy- embracing each day as a new adventure in a world full of possibilities.

I feel that since I've been in Ireland, I've been learning how to grow down. My friends here are a delightful bunch of grown-downs, reminding me of a way of life that is too quickly abandoned by so many grown-ups. These are the friends who I explore cities and sing happy birthday to strangers with, who join me in bus rides to random towns that we've never heard of; friends with whom I can sing spontaneous and ridiculous songs in the park, and build blanket forts in the living room- as if I was 6 years old again. These are the friends who I share the wee hours of the morning with- walking, talking, playing music, eating ice cream, and watching films (pronounced fill'ums). These simple pleasures in life have given me more joy than expensive vacations and structured events. We just enjoy each other, and what a gift that is! These special moments are spontaneous, without an agenda, without expectation. It's times like these when even the silly things are stunning, the boring are beautiful, when the unknowns become an adventure rather than a frustration or fear. Childlikeness is not altogether lost... and I couldn't be more thankful for these childlike friends of mine!

"Here we are, because it is too beautiful to move"

Virginia Woolf said that of West Cork.

It's been a few weeks since I blogged, and though there are many stories to tell, I'm going to keep this blog a simple one.

The more of Ireland that I see and experience, the more lovely, enchanting & charming it becomes. Though it doesn't have the overshadowing mountains like the Rockies or the white sand beaches like Greece; though the weather is not as predictable as, well, anywhere I've been, and the skies are often gray- Ireland has captured a raw and untamed beauty, a step back to a time where fields weren't plowed over to build condominiums, and hotspots weren't transformed into tourist villas. One can still find towns on this island where Irish is spoken, instruments are pulled out each night, and tea is offered to every person who walks in the doors of a home. There are still hills and valleys that have yet to be touched by roads and electricity; fields where the hay hasn't yet been bailed and the children roam freely, writing their own stories. Some places in Ireland remind me of other places I've been- some of home, some of the open west of America; but then some places are new to me- the rough and open hillsides of County Kerry somehow manage to stay a vibrant green through all of the year. The small ponds nestled in the crevices of wild hills somehow provide the same awe that geological wonders do. The wind blowing through the gap becomes the melody of this land, the hoof-claps of the horse drawn carraiges keep the beat. Western Ireland has absolutely captivated and awakened my senses again to to beautiful work of our Creator's hands!