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Monday May 1, 2017 #
Note
What follows is a sentimental social media post explaining a significant life event. Consider yourself warned.
A few months after I moved to Spain, I asked a tattoo artist to place a Celtic compass on the side of my torso. This symbol has several meanings for me: it honors my Irish heritage and nationality; the compass reflects my passion for orienteering; and, most importantly, the symbol itself represents a journey away from your home on which you learn from those on your path, change, grow, and eventually return home and share what you've learned with others.
After five years abroad, in October, I'll be leaving Spain to once again take up residence in the United States where I hope to share what I have learned as well as continue to learn myself in both orienteering and life.
There are many good reasons for this decision which I cannot explain here due to constraints on space. For anyone concerned, I would like to provide the reassurance that this move is not a resignation to settle down, but rather a leap into an exciting new chapter of life.
Of course, any farewell here would be of little value if I did not acknowledge and thank all those whom I've met while in España and Europe. These people took me into their homes and their hearts in truly spectacular ways. I won't specifically name anyone because the list would extend beyond a reasonable length for a post on social media. But they know who they are.
One thing that everyone I've told has asked me is if this move is permanent. I simply have no idea. Life has a way of turning plans on their head. What I do know is that where I plan to normally lay my head to rest will be in the US of A. I would be very happy to live again in Spain in the future. But, for now, I feel that my best path in life is elsewhere
I hope that all of the friends I've made here visit me in the US someday. I'll welcome you with open arms...so long as I'm not away at a race :) I'll be very busy in these months before I move, but even so, if you'd like to meet up before I leave, don't be shy and send me a message!
I'd like to conclude with two ideas that I hold close to my heart.
First, what I said before moving to Spain:
What will happen in the future can be good or bad, it all depends on how I react
and
Un fedoboy es y será siempre un fedoboy.
This isn't a goodbye, it's just a see-you-later!
A few months after I moved to Spain, I asked a tattoo artist to place a Celtic compass on the side of my torso. This symbol has several meanings for me: it honors my Irish heritage and nationality; the compass reflects my passion for orienteering; and, most importantly, the symbol itself represents a journey away from your home on which you learn from those on your path, change, grow, and eventually return home and share what you've learned with others.
After five years abroad, in October, I'll be leaving Spain to once again take up residence in the United States where I hope to share what I have learned as well as continue to learn myself in both orienteering and life.
There are many good reasons for this decision which I cannot explain here due to constraints on space. For anyone concerned, I would like to provide the reassurance that this move is not a resignation to settle down, but rather a leap into an exciting new chapter of life.
Of course, any farewell here would be of little value if I did not acknowledge and thank all those whom I've met while in España and Europe. These people took me into their homes and their hearts in truly spectacular ways. I won't specifically name anyone because the list would extend beyond a reasonable length for a post on social media. But they know who they are.
One thing that everyone I've told has asked me is if this move is permanent. I simply have no idea. Life has a way of turning plans on their head. What I do know is that where I plan to normally lay my head to rest will be in the US of A. I would be very happy to live again in Spain in the future. But, for now, I feel that my best path in life is elsewhere
I hope that all of the friends I've made here visit me in the US someday. I'll welcome you with open arms...so long as I'm not away at a race :) I'll be very busy in these months before I move, but even so, if you'd like to meet up before I leave, don't be shy and send me a message!
I'd like to conclude with two ideas that I hold close to my heart.
First, what I said before moving to Spain:
What will happen in the future can be good or bad, it all depends on how I react
and
Un fedoboy es y será siempre un fedoboy.
This isn't a goodbye, it's just a see-you-later!