There are eight of us staying behind for some extra days in Dublin, and our prayers are with them for a safe time and travels home. But the rest of us are home, safe and sound.
And, oh, so much richer for the experience. Not financially richer, obviously. (Conor rightfully thanked us for helping pull the Irish economy out of its recession.) But spiritually and emotionally richer. We were all moved by the Irish countryside, the Irish people and their way of life. Our understanding of our own history and faith is infinitely deeper, having seen first hand the place where so much of our culture and religion was born. We sang the text "St. Patrick's Breastplate" in churches built on ground where he trod. We saw countless castles, abbeys and churches, many in ruins, testament to faith in a place where such a faith was often persecuted, where the people themselves were subject to invasion and subjugation that lasted centuries. We saw villages and farms in places where only limestone rock awaited those who tried to eke out a life.
And yet, through it all, the Irish sing, dance, celebrate family, and live life to its fullest.
We are thankful to Sandra and the staff at Incantato Tours for a great trip. We are also thankful for Eamonn, our driver, for his humor, skill at navigating narrow cobblestone streets, and his laugh.
And perhaps most of all, to Conor, our intrepid guide, who taught us more about Ireland and her people than we thought possible. None of us have a truer friend in Ireland than Conor.
And thank you to all of you who supported us on this trip, and prayed for us while we were abroad. Ireland is beautiful, but there is truly no place like home - and Long Beach is a great place to come home to.
