Chapter 2
A Memorable Past
The sunset of our time in Eastern Ireland was not what we could suddenly embrace or admit. The rising tide from those rich, symbolic experiences, created a lasting memory. They were collections to help map and navigate our journeys going forward.
Certain remarkable antecedence, would become reflections of things to come, just as a fruit cannot grow while detached from its roots.
Dublin was where my seed took its root, as stemmed from diverse influences. These shaped several subsequent aspects of my life. My overall positive spiralling from the surrounding, to family, and relationships, was out of this world.
I had a structured foundation to a large extent. Events in my life were carefully crafted to keep developing as a build-up to future ones. Luck had been on my side.
(Ashley and Mum on Carlow)
I initiated a conversation with mum on Carlow.
"From the knowledge garnered reading up on Carlow, I discovered it was a moderate urban settlement. Although, County Carlow had been largely viewed as a rural county. It's generally an admixture of both rural, and urban components. "
'Yes, it is.'
"I had read up on some of the town's basic features, getting to learn about our relocation."
"Oh, that was quite apt of you."
I have been immersed in my love for multifarious cultures, social lives of people and places. This has endeared me more to Carlow culture in some way.
'Mum, I could see Carlow is as beautiful as Dublin. Although the latter is notable for its iconic landscapes, Carlow has its very unique sides too.'
You are right, Ashley; it is.
"I was so eager to behold the beautiful and enthralling landscapes. I also craved for a rundown of some of the stories that accumulated as the history of this city."
I long to walk through some of the significant milestones in the life of Carlow, as I had the privilege back within my root.
"What significance has O Connell", I probed?
"Daniel O Connell was recognised on his impact of campaigning for Irish Catholic membership in the Parliament. In a bid to commemorate this landmark of pioneering their emancipation, he was celebrated through the O'Connell Monument in Limerick, Dublin", mum retorted.
'Looking forward to check on such monumental sights in Carlow, just as Dublin.'
'Yes, there are a significant number of that in Carlow too.'
'Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this, mum.'
'It's a pleasure.'
Discussions took place all evening.
"Tennyson, can we go scooting"? Joseph requested.
Get the scooter.
"Just a few minutes ride, though. Aunty Agnes would soon call us."
That's fine.
(Dad's/ Mum's P.O.V)
Dad: Have realized one thing.
Mum: What is it, dearie?
Dad: Being in a place over a long period of time might infringe on having better opportunities to learn, and grow impressively.
"This new capacity you are about to occupy, will challenge most of the things you had learnt, and practiced over the years."
"More importantly, considering the fact you are assuming the new position as a superior, and not a subordinate", Davidson asserted.
Mum: "Quite frankly, hubby. That's the more reason I love to hear your views, especially on this subject matter."
Dad: I have accepted it as a new ladder of development for us to climb. It is a new phase, and I will want you to see it as such."
Mum: "No problem, honey. I absolutely understood those germane points. Am ready to take the bull by the horn. Learning is a continuous process. Am curious to have a new work system challenge the long term status quo. No cause for worries anymore. We must all be determined to take this giant stride."
Dad: "It is a collective progress that all of us must voyage through", Davidson affirmed.
(Ashley, Tennyson and Joseph)
My brothers and I, had our regular cruise that evening. We were eavesdropping and whispering to ourselves. We envisaged what we would miss, moving from Dublin. The friendly and hospitable environment. Also, the people we had related and mingled with over the years.
'I shall miss Mr Campbell, and the piano class.'
"That's very true. The class had so much imparted on your musical instrument skills, specifically, the piano", Joseph added.
"In my own case, I made it known to my lesson and aerobic class yesterday. They all received the news with a rude shock, expressing their displeasure over it", Tennyson pointed.
'I promised to visit them once in a while.'
"It was good you quickly chipped that in", I mentioned.
That would have doused their anxiety, and brought some soothing relief.
'You are right. Their countenance brightened up on hearing that.'
"Bright, my best friend said he would not want to see me leave. He sobbed for some time. We both encouraged each other, parting with a hug", Tennyson confirmed.
(Dublin's Military Base)
Davidson Wilson was a Lieutenant General. His wife had just been promoted to the rank of a Chief Nursing Officer at Carlow District Hospital, precipitating his family's relocation to Carlow.
Davidson paced through his office, figuring out what the new life would look like. He made some crucial plans towards their relocation journey.
Rob, his very good colleague entered while he was making some quick sketches around his plan. He quickly scribbled an application to put in for a few days leave.
"Rob, you've got to see how devastated I have become these few days. This decision has not been kind on me. I couldn't have envisaged such a scenario, years back."
"You've got to relax your mind. As you can see, the distance is just a stone throw. We had already concluded on this. Just let it be. It is a progress migration we are talking about, not a static, nor a retrogressive one.
I understand you love your wife, and would love to see her daily (Rob chuckled), but life has to move on, friend", he added.
"Yeah, Rob; I quite understand. I could remember I well played my role when Pamela needed to relocate then. I believe you are standing to reciprocate same now", Davidson said jokingly.
Exactly, David.
Thanks, Rob.
"Regarding our decision, we have hit a final point in our opinion sampling. We have a reasonable plan put together now", Davidson revealed.
"Great, am happy to hear that. Can you scroll out a template of what you finally arrived at? Robinson asked.
"Yes, Ashley and her siblings will have to stay back with their mum in Carlow, while I serve the country from Dublin at the defence headquarters." (Rob applauded in admiration).
'Fantastic, that's a good one.'
(Davidson cleared his table as he sat with Rob on the couch)
"Rob, you know my top priority had always been family, unintentional of distancing myself from them. The sudden break of this cycle is expedient to guarantee a career progression for Patricia."
"I quite support your final decision. It is a reasonable, and well thought out plan. I understand how dejected and worried one could be, living away from family. We had sometimes sacrificed in a similar manner in the past, while building on our career. So, going back in time to that same pattern, when we ought to be winding down, might pose some challenges. Nonetheless, I believe it's just for a while, David."
"You have said it all. I believe this won't last a lifetime."
"After an intense consideration from our permutation as a family, we have reached our consensus of making Carlow our primary home, while I do the shuttling between County Carlow and Dublin as the foreman", Davidson stressed.
"That's a good one", Rob affirmed.
"The nature of our work will disallow you maximum attention to the children."
"How about Agnes and Alfred, will they equally relocate with them?", Rob asked.
'Of course, they will.'
"At seldom occasions, we could either decide to move to Dublin, our secondary home at special holidays, or stay together in Carlow."
"That's so appropriate", Rob asserted.
"Come to think of it, Christmas had constantly been all shades of fun annually, with your family's party combining family, and friends, bringing the year to a close."
"Well, we won't stop nor cut off from our relations and friends. That's the more reason we keep shuttling between Carlow and Dublin; especially, during such festive periods. No doubt, I will maintain such a historic season full of outright celebrations and reflections", Davidson corroborated.
"That's fine. I must take my leave now", Rob said.
I will definitely put a call through as soon as we arrive there. Thanks for checking.
(Dublin's Party In Retrospect with Ashley and Her Siblings)
"Come on pals, check out my drawings on the journey from Dublin to Carlow", my older brother invited.
"Wow, Tennyson. This creativity is astonishing", I remarked.
'I can go on and on, creating lots of memories from different shared moments.'
"I love the final phase you craftily connected together here. How we converged at the yearly celebrations. The trickling sense of one experience onto another. It captures emotional contents that bring touching memories, I must say."
I could remember last year, I had to call a few friends in preparation for the event.
(Reflections on Dublin's Yearly Party)
Hello, is that the Brownies? Yes, how may I be of help? My name is Ashley Wilson. I would like to speak with Tyler.
'Oh! Ashley. It's her mum. Good to hear from you. Hold on, she will be with you in a moment.'
Tyler, you have a call. Ashley on the line.
'Hi, Ashley. Nice having you on the line. How have you been?'
Very well; and you?
Am good.
"Are you guys coming for our annual party on the 22nd?"
"Yes, we are. Dad and mum had told us we shall be coming over."
'Fine, hope to see you then.'
"You get all fun equipments ready. We've got to enjoy to full satisfaction."
"Alright, Tyler; I will. Bye for now."
At the party, aunty Agnes provided some fun time.
"Children, let's enjoy the bouncing castle outside", she announced.
'We would let out a shout, racing and circling around ourselves. We played some hide and seek games.'
"That's a side attraction Dublin had got. All of these, cannot fade away easily from our memories", I opened up to Tennyson.
"Those shared moments you have created cannot be traded. Having such endless fun with our friends was so spectacular," Joseph added.
'Likewise, the adults sitting at the dinner to reflect on the year's gains and losses, while making concerted effort to plan for the incoming year.'
I can't forget dad's best friend in a hurry. General Robinson and his wife, Pamela. They had been regular invitees at such occasions."
At the last year's event, dad mentioned "the year had got a modicum of victory for their battalion. Their success story was outstanding, with less than 2% war engagements and 1% loss."
Dad in company of his friends, discussed extensively.
He further stated, "the Irish peace treaty had made a huge impact in pushing back the streaks of war. Even though, there arose situations where defence was inevitable, war has come to its considerable average."
"Wow! That was quite illustrative of you, Ashley. Am stupefied you could remember all of that. You are such a curious girl, though"; Joseph remarked.
"Let's not forget Alfred's cuisines which were more sumptuous at such events", Joseph added.
"That was so thoughtful of you", I said.
'Madam Pamela, General Robinson's wife, often made impressive remarks on this.'
Mum revealed, "Alfred does not stay on the spot of what he had known. He expands his knowledge scope from time to time. He had just concluded a training at the Soul Food Company."
"Are you serious?" Pamela wondered.
"Yes, I encourage him. I offer him an open hand to learn as much as he desires. That has also tripled our home's nutritional food menu", Patricia retorted.
"I must say there is usually a take home from your family, each time we converge like this", Pamela remarked.
"Thanks for your compliment, Pamela. We have all come a long way together", mum said.
(Agnes and Chef Alfred Conversing)
"The Wilsons family created a home ambience where proper and holistic training were the ways to go", Alfred assessed.
"You can say that again, Alfred. Have learnt a lot working with madam", Agnes replied (they engaged in a short conversation about the family's imminent relocation).
"Harmony, respect, orderliness were core values Ashley and his siblings exhibited while relating with us as domestic staff", Alfred noted.
"Even though their parents ensured their children got the best care. All they needed essentially, was at their beck and call. Despite all these, they never shielded them from rebukes, whenever this was required", Agnes added.
"Those children have been rightly guided, I must confess. Their future is secured if they follow their parents leading to letter", Alfred pointed.
"I can categorically say they are keeping up with it to a very large extent. They could not even flout my rules, let alone their parent's", Agnes replied.
They often pick my usual signals like "the television remains in the box today". Whenever I said that, they already understood what it meant.
(A Past Case Scenario of the TV in the Box)
Not again, Tennyson. We have got this signal from aunt Agnes as a result of your misdemeanour.
"Ashley, what a total boredom we need to confront today, just because of someone's offence"; Joseph said.
"You two should please count me out of your punishment. Did I play with you guys when you ought to be busy with your duties? Nope! So, please spare me on this."
"I only joined after completing mine, Ashley", Joseph explained.
"So, you make aunty understand", I suggested.
"Can I join Ashley to watch the program", Joseph implored Agnes.
"On the condition that Ashley does not have a special program she would like to watch. You are only allowed to watch from the main sitting room", aunty instructed.
"I am the best child in this house. A cute, young girl with a listening ear. Hardly got punished, because am a meticulous, young champ", I said.
"You can say that again", Ashley, Agnes corroborated.
"Sorry about your repeated mistakes", I empathised with Tennyson.
"Waiting for your own turn, Ashley", Tennyson fumed.
"Oh, am sorry to announce to you, that time will never come. You might have to wait endlessly."
"Joseph, it's so interesting to know aunty Agnes punitive orders could not be flouted when it comes to proper arrangement of the room, any other chore, school work or responsibilities", I said.
"I must say Tennyson was the only one easily caught in the web of aunt Agnes's punishments", Joseph noted.
"He fell victim often to the same mistake. He loved to prove and play "the big brother". Anyways, I love aunt's simplistic way of meting out punishment whenever we fail to obey instructions", I added.
Ashley, you called that simple?
Yes, it is.
If you don't watch the television now, you can as well do some other time.
"You don't mean it? After missing some vital programs you had looked forward to", Joseph asked.
"Well, on that note, if a program is so vital to you or Tennyson, and there won't be a podcast, try not to flout simple rules."
"I must say aunty Agnes is nice, anyway. She may decide not to elongate the punishment at times."
"Yeah, you are right. She had pardoned myself and Tennyson on several occasions."
Tennyson would most times say, Aunty Agnes and I are now best of friends; have mastered all her rules", Joseph noted.
"Well, that claim is yet to be fully proven, going by what you and I can obviously observe", I objected.
Relocation Process In Top Gear)
We finally got to the peak of our relocation preparation.
"You have to get the children arrange their luggage in order, Agnes"; mum ordered.
"Yes, madam"; Agnes responded briskly.
"Ashley, can you get the small arranged boxes moved to the visitor's waiting room?" Aunty Agnes instructed.
That's fine, aunty.
"Let me haul the handy luggage to the lounge for easy transfer into the car", I suggested.
Not too long after, aunty Agnes beckoned on mum that we were ready.
"Madam, we are all set."
I quickly whispered to mum, 'we are leaving Dublin behind us already, facing the life ahead.'
'Sure, Ashley. Life keeps evolving and moving.'