A Trip to Ireland

In March of 1985 I was taking a break from college, working multiple jobs and living at home to save money for a motorcycle trip out West. One evening we got a call from the Philadelphia Police saying that my Mother's parents, Martin & Katie Rowley, had been in a car accident. They spent the next 3 months in various hospitals. Since I was able to, I quit my other jobs and took over the role of primary hospital visitor. I went each day to one or both hospitals, spending time with them and spending all my travel money on transportation and meals.

During the time that my Grandparents were in the hospital we contacted our relatives still living in Ireland. Once they passed away it seemed natural to me that I go to Ireland instead of out West as I had planned. I received money from my family to replace the savings that I'd spent. I already had my backpack and sleeping bag, so with my ticket and passport I got dropped at the International Terminal of Newark Airport in the middle of June to return to the place from which my Mother's family had come.