A Memorable Past
The sunset of my stay in Eastern Ireland was not what I could suddenly embrace nor admit. The rising tide from those rich, symbolic experiences, created a lasting memory. They were collections to help map and navigate our journeys, going forward.
Certain remarkable antecedence would become reflections of things to come, just as a fruit cannot grow, while detached from its roots.
Dublin was where my seed took its root, as stemmed from diverse influences. These shaped several subsequent aspects of my life. My overall positive spiralling, from the surrounding, to family, and relationships, was out of this world.
I had a structured foundation, to a large extent. Events in my life, were carefully crafted to keep developing as a build-up to future ones.
Luck had been on my side.
Myself and Mum on Carlow
I initiated a conversation with mum on Carlow.
"From the knowledge garnered reading up on Carlow, I discovered it was a moderate urban settlement. Although, County Carlow had been largely viewed as a rural county. It's generally an admixture of both rural, and urban components."
'Yes, it is. You have untangled some of its basic features, mum remarked.'
'On getting to learn about our relocation, I had read up on some of the town's basic features.'
'Really?'
'Yes, mum.'
'That was quite apt of you.'
"Have been so immersed in my love for multifarious cultures, social lives of people, and places. This has endeared me more to Carlow culture, in some way."
'You are tending towards being a xenophile.'
(Ashley nodded convincingly in affirmation)'I do admit, mum. I am a cultural enthusiast.'
'Mum, I could see Carlow is as beautiful as Dublin. Although the latter is notable for its iconic landscapes, Carlow has its very unique sides too.'
'You are right, Ashley; it does.'
I was so eager to behold the beautiful and enthralling landscapes. I also craved for a rundown of some of the stories that accumulated as the history of this city. I long to walk through some of the significant milestones in the life of Carlow, as I had the privilege back within my root.
"What significance has O Connell", I probed?
"Daniel O Connell was recognised on his impact of campaigning for Irish Catholic membership in the Parliament. In a bid to commemorate this landmark of pioneering their emancipation, he was celebrated through the O'Connell Monument in Limerick, Dublin", mum retorted.
'Looking forward to check out such monumental sights too in Carlow, just as Dublin.'
'Sure, there exist a significant number of such in Carlow too.'
'Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this, mum.'
'It's a pleasure.'
Back in Dublin, discussions took place all evening. I was just eager to nail some assurances about the future advancing towards me. A bid to systematically walk into the facade staring at me with high hopes. I tried to ensure not to bid my best farewell. There were equally better days ahead.
Dad's/ Mum's P.O.V
Dad: Have often realized one thing.
Mum: What is it, dearie?
"Being in a place over a long period of time, might infringe on having better opportunities to learn, and grow impressively. This new capacity you are about to occupy, will challenge most of the things you had learnt, and practiced over the years. More importantly, considering the fact you are assuming the new position as a superior, and not a subordinate", Davidson asserted.
"Quite frankly, hubby. That's the more reason I love to hear your views, especially on this matter."
"I have accepted it as a new ladder of development we all need to climb. It is a new phase. I will want you to see it as such."
"No problem, honey. I absolutely understand your germane points. Am ready to take the bull by the horn. Learning is a continuous process. Am curious to have a new work system challenge the long term status quo. No cause for worries anymore. We must all be determined to take this giant stride."
"It is a collective progress that all of us must voyage through", Davidson affirmed.
Our Playtimes: Ashley, Tennyson and Joseph
"Tennyson, can we go scooting"? Joseph requested.
Get the scooter.
"Just a few minutes ride, though. Aunty Agnes would soon call us."
'That's fine. We would make it snappy', Joseph agreed.
My brothers and I, had our regular cruise that evening. We were eavesdropping and whispering to ourselves. We envisaged what we would miss, moving from Dublin. The friendly and hospitable environment. Also, the people we had related and mingled with over the years.
'I shall miss Mr Campbell, and the piano class.'
"No doubt about that. The class had so much imparted you with musical instrument skills", Tennyson affirmed.
Specifically, the piano", Joseph added.
"In my own case, I made it known to my lesson and aerobic class yesterday. They all received the news with a rude shock, expressing their displeasure over it", Tennyson pointed.
'I promised to visit them once in a while.'
"It was good you quickly chipped that in", I mentioned.
That would have doused their anxiety, and brought some soothing relief.
'You are right. Their countenance brightened up on hearing that.'
"Bright, my best friend said he would not want to see me leave. He sobbed for a while. We both encouraged each other, parting with a hug", Tennyson confirmed.
Scooting later came to a halt as Tennyson resorted to his drawing table.
Dublin's Party In Retrospect with Ashley and Her Siblings
"Come on pals, check out my drawings on the journey from Dublin to Carlow", my older brother invited.
"Wow, Tennyson. This creativity is astonishing", I remarked.
'I can go on and on, creating lots of memories from different shared moments.'
"I love the final phase you craftily connected here. How we converged at the yearly celebrations. The trickling sense of one experience onto another. It captured emotional contents that brought touching memories."
I could remember last year, I had to call a few friends in preparation for the event.
Reflections on Dublin's Yearly Party
Hello, is that the Brownies? Yes, how may I be of help? My name is Ashley Wilson. I would like to speak with Tyler.
'Oh! Ashley. It's her mum. Good to hear from you. Hold on, she will be with you in a moment.'
Tyler, you have a call. Ashley on the line.
(Tyler on the phone) 'Hi, Ashley. Nice having you on the line. How have you been?'
Very well; and you?
Good!
"Are you guys coming for our annual party on the 22nd?"
"Yes, we are. Dad and mum had told us we shall be coming over."
'Fine, hope to see you then.'
"You get all fun equipments ready. We've got to enjoy to full satisfaction."
"Alright, Tyler; I will. Bye for now."
At the party, aunty Agnes provided some fun time.
"Children, let's enjoy the bouncing castle outside", she announced.
'We would let out a shout, racing and circling around ourselves. We played some hide and seek games.'
"That's a side attraction Dublin had got. All of these, cannot fade away easily from our memories", I revealed.
"Those shared moments you have created cannot be traded. Having such endless fun with our friends was so spectacular," Joseph added.
'Likewise, the adults sitting at the dinner to reflect on the year's gains and losses, while making concerted effort to plan for the incoming year.'
I can't forget dad's best friend in a hurry. General Robinson and his wife, Pamela. They had been regular invitees at such occasions."
At the last year's event, dad mentioned "the year had got a modicum of victory for their battalion. Their success story was outstanding, with less than 2% war engagements and 1% loss."
Dad, in company of his friends, discussed extensively.
He further stated, "the Irish peace treaty had made a huge impact in pushing back the streaks of war. Even though, there arose situations where defence was inevitable, war has come to its considerable average."
"Wow! That was quite illustrative of you, Ashley. Am stupefied you could remember all of that. You are such a curious girl, though"; Joseph remarked.
"Let's not forget Alfred's cuisines which were more sumptuous at such events", Joseph added.
"That was so thoughtful of you", I said.
Mum and General Robinson's Wife P.O.V
Madam Pamela, General Robinson's wife, often made impressive remarks on this.
Mum revealed, "Alfred does not stay on the spot of what he had known. He expands his knowledge scope, from time to time. He had just concluded a training at the Soul Food Company."
"Are you serious?" Pamela wondered.
"Sure, I do encourage him. I offer him an open hand to learn as much as he desires. That has also tripled our home's nutritional food menu", Patricia retorted.
"I must say there is usually a take home from your family, each time we converge like this", Pamela remarked.
"Thanks for the compliment, Pamela. We have all come a long way", mum gestured.