Ireland will always hold an extra special place in my heart because it was my very first solo trip, and I live with the mentality go big or go home. Always the quiet homebody and, forget taking a short trip near Louisiana.

People take vacations all the time, yes. But, I had just come out of a deep depression, got saved, and was trying to figure out this new life. At the end of that extremely dark tunnel, the light was putting plans into motion to visit a place I had only dreamed of visiting: Ireland.  

After reading the book ‘P.S., I love you’, falling in love with the movie, I knew I had to visit the field she “gets lost” in Wicklow Park. I talked about it for years and always heard “I’ll go with you” and eventually realized I did not need (or want) anyone to go with me.

If I wanted to go to Ireland, I had to take steps to reach my goal eventually. If you have ever been depressed, you know how hard it is to do ANYTHING, but I knew I had to take these small steps if I was going to make this dream reality. It was Ireland or bust and I had a goal to reach.

Anyway, I write more about this story in other posts, but the summary is this trip was between God and me. From start to finish, the whole thing was God, which is why Ireland is the most spectacular place I will ever visit. There are countless God stories I could write from this trip.

Last night, I suddenly remembered a simple happy one while driving, and it always makes me smile.

I was on the train, sitting by myself when a couple got on, and they seemed to be arguing. The two sat next to me of all places, and I thought, well, this is awkward. I quickly learned that the lady’s car broke down, which is why they were on the train. She was stressed because she didn’t know how she would pay for it, and a real-life situation I was very familiar with.

I rolled the dice and decided to butt in the conversation. The tension was so thick I couldn’t take it anymore and apologized for listening to their, but shared how I had a clunker as well. I started sharing various situations I’d had with my car and the girl eventually relaxed, smiled, and then laughed.  

“I learned the difference between smoke and steam. One time, while driving over the bridge, I heard clanging and realized it was my car! I prayed to just get me off the bridge and would later find out my timing belts fell off!”

They were Ireland natives, and I, an American, got the chance to relate to her and ease her anxiety! I think one of the greatest things to learn is we are not alone. 

She eventually relaxed enough and asked about my trip and gave me must-dos which I had already done! She thought it was so funny how prepared I was!  I told her I am from New Orleans and live in a city and couldn’t wait to see lots of green. She told me she was raised on a farm and had always dreamed of the city. The grass is always greener…. pun not intended… She also dreamed of having her bachelorette party in Vegas and was so excited to blurt this out. Her boyfriend looked stunned! This always cracks me up when I think of it.

Even though it was a small story, it will always be special to me as God provides us to be where we are to be and meet whom we are supposed to meet. God used her for me just as much as I helped her. We all crave relationship and kindness. A smile is the simplest way to help someone as it’s acknowledging they exist and that they matter. You never know what anyone is truly going through and for just a second everything will be ok.

Hope and encouragement: it is up to us to give

I hope Heather ended up marrying Vincent, and her dream came true. 

I find it incredible to travel alone and perhaps it is the world’s current state that has me going through that file in my brain.

When you are traveling alone, it forces you to take in the world around you. It requires you to focus on details, look up and around, and be friendly with “strangers” as you do not have your familiar faces to use as an excuse to ignore.

Another cool story is an American woman I met on the Ireland bus tour, and I exchanged phone numbers. We had not spoken since Ireland until last year. When I posted about my friend and the miracle baby sent the post to EVERYONE in my phone, including her. I did not know if she even owned that phone number, but figured whoever did could be witnessed to. Not only did she still own the number, but she was also experiencing something similar and told me what a blessing it was to read.

Christian Introvert Struggle

Where do you choose to go?