November 20th, 2013 | Uncategorized
My heart started racing when I received the text that my Mom, Grandmom, and two Aunts have arrived in Galway and were anxiously waiting in the hotel lobby for me. The feeling was comparable to a kid on Christmas day, as I sprinted from my apartment through Eyre Square to meet my family. It was so great to see everyone and honestly just refreshing to hear a familiar accent. Going to a restaurant and not being the only person that orders a glass of “wooder” was surprisingly comforting. In addition to being greeted with the most heartfelt embrace from my mother, I was also given awesome gifts and tasty snacks from my family members in Philadelphia that couldn’t make the trip, as a reminder that I come from the one of the best cities in the world. Some of the gifts included ranch dressing, assorted Hershey’s chocolate, Cliff bars, Snackpack pudding, Phillies, 76ers, and Eagles gear, Bud Light, and last and obviously most importantly BUFFALO SAUCE!
I would have never thought at the age of 24 I would have a chance to play basketball again in front of my family and in another country no less. Aside from showing my family around Ireland, I think I was most excited to play in front of them again and show them what I’ve been working for all summer and preseason. I can’t describe the feeling and comfort I felt hearing my family cheer me on from the stands and hearing “All day Mic! “ and “Way to play Mic!” whenever I hit a shot.
Such a great experience to be able to explore this country where my ancestors are from as three generations of women took on Dublin, Salt Hill, the Cliffs of Moher, and every part of Galway city together. On the girls final day here I took them through the popular Galway Market. It was here that my family determined that I am a celebrity in this city. I was stopped on the street by over six different people from classmates, parents, and teammates that we saw in passing on Shop Street. We then had lunch in a popular pub where I happen to know and coach the family that owns it. We definitely were taken care of at the pub and had a lovely last meal together. I had to inform my family unfortunately that I in fact was not a “rock star” that they had thought but actually the city of Galway is just THAT small. It was proof that literally everyone knows everyone in Galway, even though the thought of them thinking I’m famous was pretty neat.
It was impossible to wipe the grin off my face for that entire week that my family was here. I feel so blessed to not only have a loving family that supports me, but also to have an opportunity to introduce them to my new family and friends here that continue to take care of me in Galway. My people in Galway did an absolute amazing job of welcoming my family and making sure they felt right at home. My family is very confident I am in good hands here. I just want to give a big thank you to everyone that showed my family a great time, you know who you are!! I’m convinced that I’m one of the luckiest people in the world to have such caring people in my life. MUCH LOVE <3
#INSPIRE #VICTORY
