Friday 5 June 2015

Leaving On A Jet Plane

The day had finally arrived...

The day I would kiss Eoghan good night knowing that I would be leaving him for two whole nights after that. Not only would I be spending these two consecutive nights away from him but I would be spending them in another country.

When we spoke about a girly weekend away to somewhere in Europe back in January, it was kinda booked before the realisation hit of what exactly it would mean for me - and it was months away still.
The months flew and the time was here last Thursday night.

In all of Eoghan's three and a half years, I had only ever spent two nights away from him. Once staying in a hotel literally five minutes away from his grandparents and another night down in Kerry to see comedian Dara O'Briain. Since he was born, I had never spent any more time away from him - let alone leave the country without him.

Perhaps surprisingly for me, it was not as bad as I might have thought it would be. There were times when I was nervous - during take off and landing or the time I knew Eoghan would be attending his first swimming lesson (my imagination had no limits when it came to thinking up freak accidents involving planes and pools) - but overall I really, really enjoyed spending time with one of my longest and best friends; catching up, relaxing and soaking up the sun in the south of France. We don't get to do that much between family, work, living in different parts of the country and..well..life! :) She's been a rock, a howl and a true friend in every one of the more than 15 years I've known her. Thanks hon! xx


One of my biggest niggling regrets about my trip to Germany in January 2011 was that I had not skyped Pat and Patrick that Monday night. Between only just arriving, the internet being pants and being a grumpy traveler, I told Pat we'd leave it til the next evening. By that time I was on my way back because Patrick had passed away in his sleep at lunch time.

So, of course I was keen to make sure I'd get some face time with the boys in the evening - and we did. As always, it rarely turns out the way you imagine: Eoghan smiling at the laptop, telling me about this day...Nope! He was wearing his best grumpy pants. And to top it all off, he did not even want to come and pick me up from the airport. Came the complaint from Junction 14 Mayfield:

"I don't wanna go to the airport. Mammy can take the bus!"

So much for that lovely picture I had in my head of Eoghan running up to me at Arrivals...showering me with hugs and kisses... :)

I think this was a good experience for both Pat and I; to see that we can do this without the worst happening.

You never know...we might one day even feel strong enough to leave the country without him for a short trip somewhere...

But probably not too soon!