Dan and I just returned back from a week-long trip to Ireland to celebrate our first wedding anniversary, and I realized about a day into the trip that I forgot to make any mention of it on the blog. I'm going to blame that on the fact that this summer is flying by so quickly that I can hardly keep the days straight in my head. Anyone else feeling that way? Interestingly, time seemed to slow in the best of ways during our trip and a mere seven days in an Irish mist streaked with sporadic sunny spells was all we needed to completely decompress.
There is something magical about Ireland. It has a humbled knack for clearing away the accumulated grime and complications of bustling city life and sprinkling a person with the pleasantries of simplicity. Tucked away in an often unacknowledged need to complicate my life with more... more work, more technology, more material possessions, more success, more knowledge, is a person who discovers the most by just being. Stopping to appreciate the scenery, a deep breath of fresh air, an endearing glance from a loved one, a friendly conversation with a stranger, cooking a meal to share with others, a new experience, or the taste of something delicious. Therein lies my root of happiness and contentment.
And so we did just that for most of our trip.
Nestled in Cottage Mary Rose, which my uncle lovingly named after my grandma, we appreciated, breathed, glanced, chatted, reminisced, cooked, and tasted our way to the simplest and most perfect state of happiness. Our out-of-cottage adventures included a bike ride through Killarney National Park, yoga on the lawn outside the Muckross House, a climb to Torc Waterfall, a spa day at Park Hotel Kenmare, a drive around the Dingle Peninsula, a picnic in the back of our tiny-but-trusty Nissan Micra, a drive around the Ring of Kerry, a trip to a donkey sanctuary, plenty of ice cream from Murphy's Ice Cream, a foot tap or two to traditional Irish music, a few pints of Guinness, and enough craic to rumble our bellies with laughter.
Hope you're all enjoying summer and finding your place of simplicity and happiness, as well. Here's to always making time for the little things that make us the happiest. Sláinte.
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