Monday morning,
September 29th,
I leave Knock behind
as I step onto the bus
to Charlestown.
This day,
a new life begins;
one revived
by hope
and greater clarity
of vision.
I no longer see
with the eyes of sight,
but with the eyes of faith.
Having borne my cross,
I am ready to live
my resurrection.
My Bible,
the radio,
and the scenery
on this beautiful sunny morn
keep me occupied
until the bus stops
in Charlestown.
Not having expected
to arrive so soon,
I now stand at the bus stop
and search through
my pack
for the address to
the Spaldings’ house.
I stare in dismay
at the scrap of paper.
There’s neither street name
nor house number
in their address,
just their name and town.
I look around at the roads
branching off
from the roundabout
and pray for a moment
before choosing one to follow.
I pass shops,
two-story houses, and pubs
in search of a post office.
It’s not long before
I give up
and enter a petrol station
to find some assistance.
“Excuse me,”
I interrupt
the cashiers’ conversation
as I approach the counter.
Both women look at me
with quizzical,
yet amused, grins.
“Could you tell me
where to find
the post office?
I have the address
of some people
I’m supposed
to look up here in town,
but I have no clue
how to find them.”
The two women
glance at each other.
The one’s brown ponytail
bobs as she nods
to the other,
who then turns her wide,
blue eyes
on me.
Her smile suggests
that she deems me
harmless enough.
“Who’re ye looking for?”
“The Spaldings.”
“Oh, Bill and May, is it?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you related to Bill?”
“No. My grandmother
knew them from church
when they lived in the States."
“Lovely. Yes, Bill and May
buy their things here
often enough.
They live
just down the street
on this side.
They’re in the last house
in the row
before you leave town.
Their name is on the house.”
“Oh, okay.
Thanks so much
for the help.
Ya’ll have a great day.”
“You too,” they both smile.
I smile back
before continuing
my sidewalk travels.
-------
I marvel at the postman
who is delivering mail
to the houses
on the other side
of the street.
Most of the houses
are unmarked.
He makes his deliveries,
without pause,
by memory.
I’ve been here
less than fifteen minutes
and already I love this town
where everyone seems
to know each other by name.
Such ways are long lost
where I come from.
Heck, I only know
the names of a few
of my neighbors.
I spot the plaque
that reads “Spalding,”
and glance at my watch
as I approach the door.
Nine thirty-seven.
I hope I’m not too early.
I push the button
and wait….
Perhaps they’re not home,
I’ll check back later.
As I turn to walk away,
the door opens a little
to reveal a precious lady
with a head of short, grey curls,
a slightly wrinkled face,
and loving eyes
protected by large glasses.
“May I help you?,”
she asks.
“Yes, I’m looking for
Bill and May Spalding.”
“I’m May.”
“Hi, my name is
Todd Russell.
I’m the guy
from Alabama
who wrote to you
a few months ago.
When you wrote back,
you told me to stop by
to visit when I pass through,
so here I am.”
After pondering
for a moment,
she replies,
“Oh, of course,
we’ve been wondering
if you were going to visit.
Come in, come in.”
“Thanks, I hope
I didn’t show up
at a bad time.
Did I wake you?”
“No, I’ve been up
for a little while now.
Bill is still in bed
because his back’s
been bothering him.
Here, you can set
your bag there
in the front room
and I’ll take your coat.
Have a seat
there by the fire.
I’ll go up and let Bill know
that you’re here.”
“Okay.”
May disappears up the stairs
so I observe the setting.
It appears as though
they spend most of their time
in this room.
It is a kitchen that doubles
as a living room,
complete with television
and a recliner.
Though it’s not too cold
outside at the moment,
the peat block fire
gives a welcoming warmth
to the room.
Across the hall
is a standard living room
that doesn’t appear
to get much use.
This cozy little house
is perfect for an older couple.
My brief examination ends
as May returns
to the kitchen.
“He’ll be down shortly;
he’s moving kind of slow
these days.
He’s going to see the doctor
tomorrow morning.
We’re hoping the doctor
can help some.”
“How long
has it bothered him?”
“Oh, about two weeks now.
It comes and goes
from time to time,
but this time it’s
much worse than usual.
Enough of all that, though.
How long have you been
in Ireland?”
“Since Thursday.”
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Oh yes,
I love it here.
In fact,
I’m even considering
moving here someday.”
“Where have you been
since you arrived?”
“Well, I landed in Shannon,
backtracked to Limerick,
headed to the Cliffs of Moher,
then went through Doolin
to the Aran Islands.
So far, my favorite stop
has been the Islands.
The Cliffs were awesome, too.
Anyway, I went
from the Islands
through Galway to Knock.
I got on a bus
in Knock this morning
which brought me here.”
“My, that’s a bit
of traveling
for such a short time.
You must be tired.”
“Well, I am still
a little sore
from walking
so many miles
on Friday.
I’m okay, though.”
“How much longer
will you be in Ireland?”
“I’m not sure yet.
I have an open-ended ticket,
so I can stay
as long as I like.
I had even considered
the possibility
of staying for good.
I will probably only stay
a few more weeks, though.”
“Oh, is that Bill
coming down the stairs now?”
“Yeah, it sounds like it.”
“Bill?”
“Yes dear, I’m coming,”
he answers.
May rises to go help
and I follow her.
As we step into the hallway,
I see Bill standing
on the bottom step.
He is a sturdy-looking man
with glasses,
a clean-shaven face,
and grey hair
balding on top.
“Hello, how are you?,”
he asks as he extends
his strong hand.
I reach out to shake
and I am impressed
by his grip.
“Wonderful.
How is your back feeling?”
“It’s not so good,
but I’ll live,”
he replies
with a grandfather smile.
We all walk back
into the kitchen area,
where Bill sits
in his recliner.
“Would either of you
like some tea and toast?,”
May asks.
“Yes dear,” Bill answers.
“Sure, I’ll have some
too, please.”
“Okay, I’ll have it ready
in just a few minutes.”
-------
Our stories and memories
are interrupted
by a knock at the door.
May answers the door
and invites in
another guest.
“Hello Bill,
how are you?”
asks a lovely woman
with short blonde hair
and a beaming smile.
She appears to be
no older than forty.
“I’m okay.”
“Carmel, this is our guest,
Todd Russell,”
May says,
pointing to me
with a sweeping motion.
“He’s visiting
from the States.”
“Nice to meet you,”
I say.
“Pleased to meet you.
On holiday, is it?
Are you enjoying Ireland?”
“Yes, very much.”
“Are you related to Bill?”
“No. My grandparents
went to the same church
as Bill and May
when they were
in the States.
My grandmother
told someone
I was going to Ireland
and word got through
the grapevine.
A friend of Bill and May’s
then gave me
their address.
I wrote them a letter
and they wrote back
telling me to stop by
when I came through.
So, here I am.”
“Wow. You know,
it’s a shame
you caught Bill
when his back
is troubling him.
Normally, he would have
had you out in the car
by now, pointing out
all the sites
in the area.
Speaking of your back,
Bill, have you phoned
the doctor yet?”
“Yes, I have an appointment
tomorrow morning.
What time do we have
to be there, dear?”
“At ten o’clock,”
May responds.
“Lovely, I’ll be by
about fifteen minutes early
to pick you up.”
“Oh, thank you Carmel.
You’re such a dear,”
May says.
“So tell me, Todd,
have you experienced
much Irish social life?”
“Not really.
I’ve been
too busy traveling.”
“Are you going to stay
here in town tonight?”
“Well, I was actually
planning to move on
this afternoon.
I don’t want to interrupt
Bill and May's lives
much more than I already have.”
“I won’t hear of it,”
May pipes in.
“It’s not every day
that we have guests
from the States.
You can stay
in our extra room
upstairs tonight.
You need a rest
from all that traveling
before you get
too worn out.
It’s no trouble at all.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
I look at Bill
who has been
observing silently.
He smiles his approval
and nods.
“Well, that’s settled, then,”
Carmel speaks up.
“I tell you what,
when Audrey gets home
from the university
this afternoon,
I’ll have her phone you up.
She and her friends
can take you out tonight
and show you what
Irish night life is like.
The boys
from the Mayo team
will be out in Castlebar.
Maybe they’ll take you there.
There’s sure to be
some good craic
even though they lost
the big game.
Besides, you will enjoy
spending some time
with people your own age.”
“Well, okay.
That sounds great.”
“Good. Well,
I better be off.
I need to check
back in at the shop.
Bill and May,
you have a good evening.
I’ll see you
tomorrow morning.
Is there anything else
that you need?”
“No. Thank you so much
for checking in on us,”
May answers.
“You’re welcome.
It’s no trouble at all.
Todd, I’ll have Audrey
call you this evening.
You all have a good day.”
“You too,”
May responds.
“Thank you
for everything, Carmel,”
Bill finally speaks up.
After a round of hugs,
Carmel departs.
“What a wonderful
person she is.
You know, Todd,
she’s like a daughter to us.
She’s always checking
in on us, and helping us
with so many things,”
May says with love
in her eyes and voice.
“She sure is special,”
Bill adds.
“So where were we?,”
I ask.
“I think we were talking
about how May and I met,”
Bill replies.
We resume our conversation
about life, love,
and everything in between.