Chapter 5
A Memoir From Dublin
I love to look back in time, and appreciate some very significant moments that had once been part of us, back in Dublin.
I needed to reveal to mum, how well I appreciated the homely environment back in the Capital.
"Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin was wrapped with several amenities. The scenic view of that environment, was not something that could fizzle out of my memory easily."
"It was something that took us a while to build, Ashley", Mum said.
She was dazzled at how much a child would cherish every bit of artistry that went into the masterpiece.
(Settling In At Carlow)
While it took us time to unpack our luggage in our new abode, I kept unfolding some significant moments that got myself and siblings enraptured, back in Dublin.
Someway, this made the unpacking less stressful. The process of settling down became fun and hitch-free. Mum and aunty Agnes enjoyed my stories.
(Agnes to Ashley) Keep the stories coming, am right with you.
I became a compelling narrator, in an instant.
'You are not alone, we are diving through the stories together', mum pointed.
Ashley: "Having the privilege of visiting monumental scenes with Joseph and Tennyson, was a memorable experience I hold in high esteem", I said.
"A most recent one, was the famine memorial. It taught us to be grateful at every slight opportunity."
"Joseph had probed into what made up the famine memorial story with dad, when we visited. We strolled from one visual point to another."
We had a great time, mum.
"You've turned an adventurer, all of a sudden", mum interjected.
'What did you make of music within the period?', mum inquired.
"Mastering essential skills at my piano lesson became another capstone for me, back in the capital city."
Mr Campbell, took time to teach his special students in school musical instruments. This was aside our general music class. We had the options of learning the piano, guitar or violin.
Having developed a penchant for piano, I learnt with every iota of focus and determination.
"Left hand on the chord, right hand, A flat, B, C, D, E, F, and G flat. I followed my instructor's commands, as Mr Campbell would spell out at times."
What aspect did you miss the most from Mr Campbell's music class?
"It was the point songs began to flow along with the musical instruments. The symphony and melody."
"The aspect when I had to key in for the song to take off. Mr Campbell might provide a clue as the musical instrument intro kicked-start."
"Ashley, can you key us in with the tonic sofa? The scaling, rhythmic patterns brought out the dynamics.
Sarah Hilton, Daniel Crystal and Tommy Wilfred, flowed with the percussion. They infused some hymnals or classical tunes into the instrumental flow at regular intervals."
Tommy struck the chord on his guitar for a symphony. Angela and Chris played along melodious tunes from the violins.
"I must say you have developed great skills with your musical instrument knowledge. I want you to understand that the skill you have acquired, was not a waste. It will surely pave ways for you, moving forward", mum added.
Am pleased to know that, mum.
(A Snippet From the Final Music Class)
"Hi guys, we had a great time learning together today. Can we meet shortly after the music class tomorrow for a short rehearsal?", Tommy suggested.
Of course, we all agreed. We set personal goals for ourselves. Our impact had been evident with the school's band.
"Ashley, we will definitely miss you. I now understand why Mr Campbell said we needed more members.
This was to help have more instrumentalists handling each of the instruments. I hope we got a new pianist soonest", Tommy said.
Thanks a lot, Tommy.
"I will miss you all too."
"Thank you, Mr Campbell for organising a mini farewell party for me at my final rehearsal."
"We shall miss you, Ashley", Mr Campbell noted.
"I will surely miss your great lessons, Mr Campbell."
I will miss you, everyone.
"I cannot just voice out how painful parting with you seems, Ashley", Tommy said.
Same here, Tommy.
"We've had a genuine bond together. I shall miss everyone here. Hope we meet again", I said.
They embraced me one after the other. We parted with very touching remarks, and gifts.
"What a great farewell you had there. Hope you guys get to meet again", aunty Agnes projected.
'I so desire. Hope it becomes a reality in the near future.'
Can you please recount a few of your experiences back in school?, demanded Agnes.
"I was about to ask too", mum confessed.
'Well, my days at Holyspirit Primary School was quite transient. It was a two and half years, punctuated by diverse success stories and achievements.'
"That's a great one, darling", Agnes commented.
From the Spelling Bee competition, to the public speaking contest. Mrs Betty had taken her time to teach me personally. We had special classes arrangements, precisely during break period, whenever we were approaching any competition.
Ashley baby, Mrs Betty would call me. We need to see after the class.
"The news of my imminent relocation was greeted with mixed feelings, as emotional reactions started popping in."
"The greatest of it was from Mrs Betty, my class teacher. She had been recognised as the best teacher based on my outstanding performances."
"That was so commendable of her. She needed to be applauded for her contributions to your persistent success stories", mum admitted.
'Mrs Betty was quite emotional, having to see me leave.'
(Mrs Betty's Parting Statement)
"Ashley, you are in for the best. Even though I dislike parting with you. Certainly, we shall surely part ways someday. We cannot be together forever. I have taught many others like you, who had become great intellectuals today."
I would like to leave these words with you: "Continue being the best that you are. The top only accommodates the best, and not mediocre".
"You have laid a good foundation, but the best foundation is useless without a befitting structure. Endeavour to sustain your tenacity, and intelligence towards greatness. Am sure, the sky is your starting point".
"Am so delighted at your instructive words. I promise, I shall make you a lot more proud".
That's my girl.
Thank you ma.
You are most welcome, Ashley.
My regards to your parents.
I will.
'Have enjoyed every bit of our conversation. Your success story inspires me', mum remarked.
"Don't you know I took after you and dad. Am becoming the best version of myself. All what you see me do, have also learnt from your positive and resolute lifestyles."
"Madam, your daughter is right. We, the domestic staff, have in a way, had our own shares of the positive impacts from your family."
"Am happy you have come to reiterate how our family has been of positive influence in your life. I feel fulfilled getting to know that", mum reacted.
(My Siblings and I)
"Have accepted the news of our relocation with some sort of apprehension and ecstasy, looking to learn and explore new places, as I also reminisce on my gains from Dublin", I said to Joseph.
"Am still somewhere lost in between; trying to wake myself from the reality of what is currently going on. Still find it unbelievable and unthinkable", responded Joseph.
"We can no longer shy away from it. It's now sticking right in our very faces. What might first looked like dream, has become our reality."
Definitely, it has, Ashley.
(Ashley with her best friend)
'Why so urgent or have you kept it away from me all these while?'
"I find it difficult to accept at first, Doris. I just had to embrace the harsh reality. I will miss you, but my dad promised our yearly party remains. So, we've got to see mostly every year end."
Hi five, see you.
Bye, Ashley.
"Doris Edmonton, my best friend could not hold back her tears. She sobbed all day. Getting home, Doris's mum called, asking me to speak with Doris, in order to encourage her. She was so nostalgia."
"How did you go about that", Joseph inquired?
I told her we would still get to reunite during holidays. I said the mere fact her dad serves in the Irish Army speaks a lot more about the continuity of our friendship, and bonding.
"That was a good one, really".
"You guys will always meet. Indeed, you people have shared a good time together, both at home, and in school. I wished I had a friend like that."
'How about Taylor, Tyler's brother?'
"They don't stay close by", Joseph answered.
"You don't know what it means to have a congenial friend. Another factor that brought you two so close, was the character semblance. This related to family background."
"Am sure mum and dad would have separated you both, if they had noticed any slight contrast in the way they lived", he commented.
"Our cognitive growth was very essential to them, have discovered a long time. Dad had always been wary of how we mingled within the community. You would notice he hardly objected when we decided to visit the Edmonton or Robertson. When it came to the Clarke's, he was usually jittery."
"You remember the last party we were invited to?
Yes, I do.
Dad objected blatantly. They were of the opinion that peer influence had a way of taking a toll on the psyche, and behavioural pattern of a child.
"Have noticed they both have an eye on us, monitoring every of our affairs, despite being so young", I added.
"One of those unforgettable moments was dad's disappearance from home at times. This did not stop him from being in the know of events and issues pertaining to us", Joseph recalled.
"That amazes me too. As a martinet, who had risen through the ranks and files in the military, he installed a programmed closed-circuit television. This prompted him on our activities in the morning, and after school, in order to instil discipline in us."
(Tennyson joined the conversation)
"Tennyson, did you know it took me a while before I knew Alfred was giving a comprehensive report on our after school activities", I posited.
"Have always said it, you are still my little girl", Tennyson grinned.
"Damn it, am not. Am a big girl. Even mum calls me a big girl", I yelled.
"She does, just for you to have that feeling, girl. You are still my small, little sister. How on earth will you feign that? You've got to accept that", Tennyson interpolated.
"I said it took me a while, not forever. Moreover, am mostly well behaved. So he hardly gave a bad report of me."
"Well, if you say so", Tennyson somewhat admitted.
(Tennyson to Ashley)
"Alfred, the chef was another physical snitch. Aside the close circuit television. He has been authorised by Dad to give us instructions, and revert should there be a disagreement."
That was why I often sought his consent whenever I needed to go biking after my assignments.
"Oh, I see. I guess it was why he often checked too, confirming before you had his permit."
You got it.
Some of those momentous scenes will remain memorable and dear to my heart. The Molly Malone Statue, Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship, Oscar Wilder House, to mention but a few.
'You can say that again, Ashley.'
'I could remember, taking me on a tour was like embarking on a training spree. Whoever had decided to ride with me on such expeditions, must be ready to answer lots of questions, with some sense of intelligence', I reasoned.
"Ashley can ask questions like what? She drags us back at times", Joseph queried.
'Well, I don't believe in half knowledge. Hence, my reason for desiring to understand comprehensively.'