Full circle

Today was my last day in Dublin. I had a couple of hours before a posh lunch do with some Irish authors and I debated what to do with my time.

In the end I decided to go back to the hotel I'd stayed in two years ago on my last visit to the city.

I felt really nervous and a bit shaky as I walked over there but somehow it felt like I had to do it.

It was just as beautiful as I remembered and it seemed strange to be stood there alone. Memories came flooding back. I looked up at the ceiling and saw this beautiful window and decided to capture the moment.

Later as I sat (for nine hours after a flight delay) in Dublin airport I chatted to an Irish lady. She asked what I'd been up to in Dublin. When I told her how strange I found it that the week before the former love of my life got married I was back in the city where we fell in love she smiled.

She looked at me with wise eyes and said she thought maybe it wasn't strange at all, that perhaps things had come full circle.

I had a little ponder as I sat staring out at the Wicklow Mountains and thought maybe she was right. Things have come full circle. I'd faced the memories that somtimes still haunt me of how amazing our time was together. And realised I am getting on quite well with my life on my own, just as he is - especially with getting married tomorrow!

So I sent him a message wishing him an amazing wedding and a wonderful marriage. He replied straight away thanking me and saying it was really good of me.

I flew out of Ireland with a sense of having laid ghosts of the past to rest.