Excitement in the O'Leary household

Weeks can go by with nothing extraordinary happening. Then everything tumbles into a few days. I’m on an emotional rollercoaster. Last week the 53rd Infantry Group under the command of Lt Colonel Stephen Ryan returned to Ireland.

The group has been serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for the last six months. Lieutenant Philip O’Leary was among the soldiers who came through Dublin airport. I was back in the silly mother zone and I couldn’t wait to feel his strong arms envelope me in a big hug. That yearning for human touch is hard to explain. It can feel like a physical pain.

For the last few weeks, the excitement of Philip’s return has been building. I’d been to the supermarket and bought the food he likes. Philip is gluten intolerant so there were a lot of things that he wouldn’t have tasted in a while. His bed was made and his room was just as he left it!

It will be lovely to have Philip around the house and farm again when he’s off duty. Tim, Colm and Philip will have some great chats and healthy discussions.

BUSY DAY

Typically, on the day he was due to return, I had an appointment in Dublin early that morning so I headed off alone from Cork. Colm was in Brussels with Macra and Tim was farming. Julie, Diarmuid and Philip’s girlfriend, Aileen, would meet me at the airport.

The journey was long and arduous driving through rain, sleet and snow. Ryan Tubridy scoffed at the man who sent a text saying that there was snow falling in Offaly. If it doesn’t happen in Dublin, it doesn’t happen at all!

A few minutes later I was driving through snow myself. The traffic was really heavy. I got my business out of the way and arrived at the airport about an hour before the flight from Beirut was due.

It was tough to get a space in the carpark on level three, the roof. The others arrived after about 10 minutes. There were now about 12 cars cruising around waiting for someone to vacate a place.

We chatted and discussed options. Why that many cars are allowed in without car spaces available is indeed a mystery. The time was evaporating. What to do? I suggested giving my space to Aileen and I would go to a further away carpark. She wouldn’t hear of it. I had to do something! I walked towards the lift area to pay to leave but as I neared the door I spotted two men in high-vis jackets going towards a white van with O’Flynn Contractors written on it. I approached them. I spilled out my story about the soldier who was coming home from the Lebanon. The daughter was in the car. So was her wheelchair. We couldn’t get a space. Any chance we could have theirs? I was a desperate Irish Mammy! After a few moments of scepticism, my new friend Barry and his mate acquiesced.

The mobile phone was pressed into action. I was waving like mad. Aileen pulled in. Julie said my actions reminded her of her late Gran. She would always do something in a crisis. She often made me cringe but I didn’t care. I got the job done.

ARRIVALS

The crowd gathered behind the barriers to await the flight. It was delayed an hour. Camera crews and media waited. By the time it eventually landed, children were noisy with impatience, babies were crying and partners, parents and siblings were on tenter hooks. It was another hour before the soldiers started to come through.

Diarmuid had parted company with us and was now inside the barriers in prime position waiting for his brother. The space inside the barriers filled up quickly. Each soldier had to push through to his/her waiting loved ones who were desperate for that familiar human touch. The soldiers’ eyes darted about, seeking out their own.

Two children held a poster that read: “Welcome home Dada. Stop tripping. 14 is enough!” That sums up the sacrifice that soldiers have to make. That means that Dada had been away on 14 trips at six months a time, which amounts to seven years. It is a big sacrifice. There was a small baby of a few weeks waiting to be presented to his daddy for the first time.

Philip was number four to come out. He was grabbed by the media for a few quick words. Then Diarmuid was in his arms.

I had done the Mammy bit, telling him that Aileen would get the first cuddle and we would wait our turn! That advice definitely fell on deaf ears. Philip’s hugs were magic and I hope ours were too. We gathered ourselves up and headed home.

As this group return from Lebanon, another group has already taken its place. The changeover has been happening over the last few weeks. Other families are just starting the process, the build-up to halfway and the countdown to the end. Partners, wives, parents and siblings will miss them over Christmas.

For now, we have Philip back in our midst for the festive season. The cycle goes on as the Irish Army plays its part with UNIFIL, keeping the peace in a volatile region. It allows the Lebanese people to get on with their everyday lives. I’ve no doubt but that Philip will head off again, but for now we have him home.

As I write this we are getting ready for Diarmuid’s graduation from UCC. I can’t imagine what it will feel like watching him in his gown getting his certificate. I know it will be hugely emotional. I’m crying already.