I arrived in Dublin yesterday afternoon after several flight delays, an hour and a half spent in the plan sitting on the tarmac, feeling exhausted and homesick. I am here for ClarinetFest®️ 2024, my last conference serving on the Board of the International Clarinet Association. I know that I'll be fine once the conference begins and I hear inspiring performers and observe great teachers from around the world. It's just been a tough summer, and I'm not quite feeling myself.
Marley enjoying the top deck views at Chez Gainey.
We've still not sold our wonderful old Southside home in Birmingham - the one we were sure would sell in the first week. Two months later, we are worried and tired of hearing comments from people who've viewed the house that obviously don't want the quirkiness of an old house, "too choppy- we want open concept," needs updating," "too many stairs," etc. Some people have liked it a lot, but felt they were too old to deal with the stairs that give us the amazing views of Birmingham we have. I do believe that the right people will come and fall in love, just like we did 21 years ago. We have done so much work on the place, from foundation to the ceilings and gutters and everything in between. Fingers remain crossed for something to happen soon.
The cabin is wonderful, though there is a lot of work to do there. We can already see so much positive change in the short time we've lived there. I am looking forward to being there full time once I retire at the end of this year, but right now, Dan and I have been making the 4 hour drive to and from Birmingham with the dogs every week or so to check on the house and keep it in great shape for showings. In a couple of weeks, I'll stay in Birmingham to begin teaching my final semester at UAB, going home on the weekends I'm not performing with the orchestra or don't have work obligations. I still can't believe that is really happening, that I am retiring. I have loved my career with all my heart and I'll miss it. I'll keep busy, but I know it will be very different as of January 1st. So very worth it to have the time with Dan to do some of the things we've wanted to do that work commitments haven't allowed us the time to do.
Finley waiting for me to get to work at the computer
My view from the shuttle waiting area.
I arrived in Dublin a day too soon, as originally Dan was to come with me and we were going to visit Edinburgh, Scotland, prior to my conference. We decided that with the house not selling that we should pare down and just have me attend the conference to save money. I miss having him with me on this adventure and never feel quite whole when we are apart. Maybe it is better he didn't come, as the flight felt a bit cursed from the beginning with several weather-related delays, lots of turbulence, and my bag not making it until my second day here. I know many others had it much worse.
When I finally landed in Dublin, dragging from very little sleep, I sat on a bench in the chilly drizzly weather to wait for the hotel shuttle to come for over an hour. As the universe tends to do, a little angel came my way in the form of an older Irish woman who sat down next to me as she waited on her own bus. I liked her instantly, with her obvious kind nature and wonderful Irish brogue. She peppered me with questions and somehow we talked about Dan having Alzheimer's. She told me that her own mother had Alzheimer's and that "it will be a tough row, Hon, but from the way ye talk about him, ye have a great luv for each other and that makes it all worth the while. It will be okay- and you are right to retire and be with him. Life is too short fur anything else." And then her bus came and whisked my Irish angel away. At least I was able to make her laugh when she told me she'd "niver met no one from AlerBAMer before," and I did my Alabama drawl for her. It is so funny how those angels always seem to show up just when I need them most.
My favorite bridge in Dublin, the Samuel Beckett Bridge, in the shape of an Irish harp.
Our conference site for ClarinetFest®️ 2024, the Convention Centre Dublin.
A busy née on our walk to dinner.
Now it is time to focus on my professional side as I gather with my wonderful clarinet colleagues in this lovely city to celebrate the instrument, the music, the pedagogy, and the camaraderie, that we all love. I admit that I am struggling with the tough things happening in our lives right now, finding difficulty enjoying the things I typically love, fighting a huge depression, but will do my best, putting one foot in front of the other.
As I have known from the beginning when I first started playing clarinet as a child, music is healing, truly medicine for my soul and my heart. I am ready to take in all of the medicinal doses of inspiring music and talented people that I can this week. I know it will help…and that it is okay to let the tears come when they need to. That is medicinal as well. I'm grateful to have my best friend Diane here with me. She has already let me talk and cry, but - as always- also made me laugh until I cried good tears. A bit o' craic in Dublin is a good thing.*
*Craic is a term used to describe a good time, a fun experience, or a friendly conversation and is commonly used in Irish slang.
Diane making me laugh. But, hey- look at that clarinet flat chin!
A bit of fun at Milano's for dinner and a shared dessert.
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