One thing I didn't expect to happen to me while I was abroad was to get sick. I don't mean sick like I have a cough, but sick as in I casually looked like death for a few days. I found myself scared and even more so, I found myself not even having the energy to be scared. For the first time since being in Ireland, I found myself aching to be home.
But with everything that has happened to me while abroad, a lesson was in store. Fortunately I learned the power of having family in Ireland, and also becoming comfortable with plans changing and really having to be okay with that.
These two weeks I lost were also the final weeks I had my freedom in Ireland since it was before my internship started and exams. I had BIG plans in my head, and most importantly, my favorite person on the planet was coming to visit me--my brother.
While I was sick, those plans quickly changed and I found myself limited. If you know me, and if you know me in Ireland, I do not like to slow down or stop. I want to see, explore, talk, and make as many memories as I possibly can. This situation was difficult for me, but not being the type to sulk I decided to adjust accordingly. My brother's visit did not go how I envisioned, but really when does anything? We still made some memories, took photos (Dave I'm waiting on those), he slayed Dublin and fell in love with the city which was my goal anyways--I guess the city didn't need my help.
The point is that from being sick I learned the significance of really living in the present, since we do not know what is in store for us just around the corner. Most importantly, I realized there was no need to fly home to seek refuge from my Moms in the states (my real mom and Auntie) because I have my very own Irish Mom here, and her name is Julie.
This is my thank you to Julie, Sean, and Elizabeth for taking care of this mess of an American girl for the past week and a half. I have never known anyone--except my mom and Auntie--to take care of me the way you all did. I didn't know the true beauty of family until Julie was with me in the emergency room and making fun of me just as my mom would when I was strung out on painkillers. There are no words for how thankful I am to you all. So I'll just put it simply...thank you.
I apologize for the lack of photos in this post, but no photos are allowed to be taken in the hospital...just kidding! Those photos are just for personal records. I do have a photo of the day when I hosted myself a normal person dinner to honor me being a fully functioning person, and I was literally swinging from the ceiling.
XOXO
Hannah
No comments:
Post a Comment