The plan was to drive to Cork from Dingle. But Sahana found a farm that allowed one to hold and pet lambs. Three out of four in our group voted to pet lambs so despite some misgivings about this detour, Sean turned the car and followed the very narrow, very flowerful inroads of Ireland that led us to the aforementioned lambs. As the road found elevation, we looked out of the window and were astounded by the expansive view of the Atlantic ocean that followed our car. At moments like these, I give silent thanks for life and the privilege to be in front of such magnificence.
We arrived at the farm, paid 5 euros to pet and pick up lambs and had the most adorable lambs in our arms. Although Sahana’s lamb kicked them in their throat to get down, mine wasn’t too happy to be held either. Ryan’s lamb, however, stayed still in his arms and looked up at him adoringly. That boy sure does have a way with animals.
After lamb petting, we went to see Dave the Dog herd sheep. He was incredibly intelligent and hard working. There were so many people around him yet his eyes were only on his master Aidan. Aidan showed us Dave the Dog’s skills, explained the history of sheep farming in Ireland, and took questions from the visitors. After a while, I left my family listening to Aidan and wandered off on my own. I am so glad I did. Right across from the farm was the ocean and silhouette of Blasket Islands on one side and Skellig Islands farther away. I walked down to the parapet that provided a barrier between the road and the cliffs that drop to the ocean and breathed the view in. Honestly, I had the surreal feeling that the beauty of what I beheld in front of me was seeping in my soul. I felt important to be a part of this glory and at the same time felt so insignificant. My ego, my worries, my plans, my aspirations, all felt unimportant as I stood there. And I questioned what am I really doing with my ‘one wild and precious life?’ No one was around me at the time. The moment, the grandeur, the incessant waves, the blinking islands afar seemed to exist just for me to adore. And adore I did. I remember a sense of bliss, contentment, happiness at the moment that I have not experienced for a very long time. Time stood still.
My family joined me later, satiated with the cuteness of lambs, efficiency of Dave the Dog and knowledge of Aidan about Ireland’s wool history. We walked down the parapet to an outlet which allowed us to scamper down some rocks to a rockhead down below that jutted out to the sea. Ryan climbed down very fast and climbed on the rock head. Sahana stayed with me as I climbed down slowly and Sean followed me. All four of us got down to look out for one last time at the expansive body of water with blue sky and golden sunlight reflecting on the ocean. We breathed in the clear air and climbed back up to the road to get in our car and continue on our journey. As we turned the car on, it told us that it had detected uninflated tire (hello reality) but that is a story for another day.
Sahana asked us what moment or moments from the trip will remain with us. What did we learn? I have carried with me the memory when nature unfolded itself in front of me in those precious moments in Dingle (or I opened my eyes to witness it). I learned that I am important because I am part of such unimaginable beauty, and my ‘amittyo’ (a Bengali word which roughly translates to selfhood; it encompasses my multitudes) is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
I wanted to write these words down while I am still in vacation bliss and before reality surges back in my life to snatch my thoughts away.
whatmamathinks 