I miss my girlfriend.

It comes through me in piercing waves. Like right now, sitting here watching ridiculous 90s TV, I'd give anything to be in the nook. (and she knows what that means...)

I wanted her to be next to me on the cliffs of Moher, laughing a little bit at me because I cried, but mostly just holding my hand and silently observing the magic of God's creation.

I wanted her next to me at my first legal drink.

[And I want her to be here to usher me home when I've had a few pints too many.]

I wanted her here to roll her eyes when I go nuts over every single irish puppy I meet.

I want her to sit next to me through all the movies (good and bad!) at the Galway Film Fleadh.

I absolutely love this nation, and I can honestly say that I am having the time of my life... but I miss her truly and undeniably.

I don't want to be at a place in my life where religion scares me... but I am. It;s not God that scares me, it's not Jesus' holy presence. That I feel every day, palpably. It's the idea of losing the ability to think for oneself. The concept of putting religion before the good of the world. The concept of idolization and hellfire and brimstone.

I want a religion without religion. I want to worship without emphasis on guilt and judgment, for that is God's territory and not ours in which to muddle.

I guess that's all...

Oh Ps. I love Ireland.