I love people. I love all people and I love talking to all people. Sometimes this annoys companions because I’m always striking up a conversation with the person next to me in line, or beside me on a plane/bus/train, or in an airport, or in a busy street…basically if you make eye contact with me, I’m going to chat you up. Chances are pretty good, too, that you’ll be left with a smile because that’s just the way it works with me.

I knew I’d meet some great new people before I even left home, and I knew I wanted to make sure those people had at least a small idea about how much I loved talking to them. How could I show my gratitude for sharing a story, a smile, or a bunch of laughs? Why of course to share a bit of something that I love dearly; Canada!

We’re rather quiet about our patriotism here in Canada, but it’s also something about which we are very fierce. Just try us out by asking from which part of the United States we’re from ;)

The local MLA was my last stop before leaving home and I picked up a hundred little Canada flag lapel pins.

Over the course of the 19 days I spent touring Ireland, I had dozens and dozens of conversations with some of the most interesting people with whom I’ve ever had the pleasure of chatting. 100 pins were not nearly enough!

After chatting for a while, I’d say something like, “Hey, I have a little something that I like to share with new friends I make along the way, may I give it to you?”

Naturally, curiosity  peaked as I reached into my pocket and pulled out a little pin. Immediately the recipient attached my little bit of home to their shirt, jacket, or hat with a huge smile. That smile in return for such a small thing was always so precious to me. It was like a great big hug every time I saw my Canadian flag pinned to a new friend. As I think back to all those smiles as I type this, I find myself sporting my own trademark grin!

Here are just a few of my most memorable pin sharing moments:

Doling out my pins to my gambling pals in the middle of nowhere and watching as they ceremoniously donned them with pride was great fun. But when I left the pub an ancient fella sitting on the periphery of our antics shuffled after me. Before I put on my helmet he came up to me with the biggest smile and asked if he could have a badge. How could I have left this wonderful human out of the sharing? It was a lesson to be more aware of those around me for sure! I reached into my pocket and gave him a pin and asked if I could hug him farewell. He was thrilled to have a pin and told me he’d once been in Canada so many decades earlier. For him to come after me for a Canada pin just about made my heart explode with all the good I felt at that moment. I think I was more thrilled than he.

The old fellas at O’Donnell’s in Donegal. When I walked in to THEIR watering hole, they were nonplussed to say the least! I’m sure they thought I was in the wrong place, and when I pulled up a stool at the bar, even the bartender was surprised I was staying. There was really only room enough in that pub for about 6 people and I was not an expected member of the group. It took a while for them to warm up to me, but by the time I was ready to leave, they were sad to see me go. They all put their pins on, but I admit their old twisted fingers needed a little help.

• The old couple on the ferry behind me. Such beautiful, loving people.
• The bikers in Doolin – small scuffle as I had only one pin left!
• The gals in Westport – such lovely people and so ready to share all they had
• Michael and Deirdre at Brandon Head – such laughs we had!
• Mike S. in Killarney – Great Craic!
• Jeff and Jackie’s kids at the Rossmore Manor B&B – cutie patooties!
• Swiss Family Robinson’s kids in Doolin – made me feel like part of the family!
• The farmer at the Chinese takeout spot in Killarney – we stumbled through a great conversation as I strove to understand his heavy accent, but in the short time it took for our food to cook we laughed and shared our lives with one another.
• My not-really-related-to-me-Jordans-but-I-say-they-are-anyway Jordans
• Mike (I think Irish parents are legally obligated to name their first born Mike) who picked me up and dropped me off when I rented a car – huge thanks :)
• Sophie – beautiful soul shared her table with me in Westport! Gorgeous smile, infectious laugh -amazing sense of humour -such a welcome companion
• Tony the pub owner on the way to Slieve League Cliffs – historical lesson, travel tips, and the best lunch time chat!

And Tom. My steadfast, albeit over only a few hours, friend and new pen pal, Tom. A beacon when I needed it, pointer-outer of the hot coffee at a highway stop, rain-dodging guide to Westport, finder of Deanna-friendly parking, finder-of-a-great-cafe, and so proud to wear my pin! Thanks for being there, Tom!

I am truly blessed to have met so many wonderful, life-filled, heart-rich people in Ireland. With a hundred pins handed out and days and days of conversations without pins to share, I couldn’t possibly name them all here. But as you read my stories, just know that all those wonderful characters have a little Canada pin.