I love you & I'm going to tell you so!
Counting my blessings twice x
A very ‘short’ newsletter this week (says me to you ;)) …..While I usually write this post on a Thursday night, this week I wrote it on Wednesday evening- such a rebel I am ;) As part of a birthday present given to me by one of my best friend’s (Thank you Lorraine!) - We’re best friends since we were 5 years of age ;) She very kindly bought me a ticket to a gig she knew I’d love in the big smoke so instead of writing my Substack on Thursday night, I did indeed take a spin into Dublin city to see Gabrielle live in concert.
Gabrielle is back out on a very special tour celebrating 30 Years of her song ‘Dreams’. I was a huge fan of Gabrielle way back when and I know I’m going to have a ball at the gig…I’ll be singing my heart out….. Of course, Gabrielle had hit after hit when I was only a young one, and from my walkman to my cd collection, she made it all the way and not forgetting one of my favourite movies ‘Bridget Jones Diary’ having Gabrielle’s voice right in the middle of it too with the famous ‘Out of Reach’ becoming one of all our favourites. ‘Out of Reach’ always pulls on my heartstrings….it hits in so many ways….and funnily enough, it’s a song that has changed with me over the years to be applied to so many moments and so many relationships and connections too….Do you like that song? Was it part of your youth too? It’s beaut isn’t it? Sad and happy all in one…The minute those first few beats play, nostalgia and memories come flooding back….
As an extra bonus or maybe the main reason booked these tickets….My famous family tree member and musical legend Wallis Bird is special guest to Gabrielle. My gran, Nancy was indeed a ‘Bird’ before she married, and Wallis is Gran’s nephew’s daughter so as me and Wallis always say ‘we’re pretty much cousins’….and how proud of Wallis I am to know her and to call her a really good pal. I’ve been a huge fan of her music since the start and as part of Gabrielle’s European Tour, Wallis has being travelling with her. Nobody deserves the spot more than Wallis - I know I’m biased but please google Wallis Bird on Spotify and let me know what you think! She is beyond talented and what a song writer ;) And one of the hardest workers I know….Voice, lyrics, energy and what a beautiful heart she possesses! x
And the final two parts to this adventure that I’m really looking forward to is the venue that the gig is in is a really special location. It’s in a place called The Olympia Theatre and throughout my younger days, it’s a venue I lived in. Gig after gig, week after week, any excuse to go there I would have bought tickets so it’s so nice to return home in many way….
And the final reason I’m looking forward to this night is to spend the night in great company, making memories with one of my best friends. Myself and Lorraine sat together in Junior Infants class and we giggled our hearts out as five years olds and now that we have both turned forty, I’m so grateful that we still giggle together. We travelled the world together seeing the Irish Rugby team in World Cups, we met Chris Martin on the street in Barcelona, seen them play all over the world, we stood at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, The Colosseum in Rome, travelling Europe on monthly weekend trips that brought us everywhere…. never mind all the messing and madness we got up from every corner, top to tail in Ireland. As 2023 begins to near its end, I can tell you, I’ve never been more aware of how important friendships and my friends are to me. And I am going to write, say and shout it from the top of the roof, that I love my friends and I am so grateful to each and every one of them! Thank you Lorraine for being you and here’s to a night of music, memories and no doubt some giggles too! No matter what happens to you in life, friendship is the only boat to sit in because when those storms hit, it’s your friends who will put on your lifejacket and it’s your friends who will notice when you go quiet! I am so grateful and I bless myself twice when I think of all the love I’ve received up to this point in my life and I’ll always try my best to return all the love and support I receive in everyway I can.
Also a big birthday shoutout to the twins - two of my other best friends who I was lucky to have met when I was 14 years of age- the fabulous Kevin and Niall Kenny. We met when we worked together in a local restaurant and we never looked back. Kevin and Niall are two wonderful humans who always support me in ways I’ll never be able to repay them. I was at their 40th birthday party last weekend and even though I attended on my own - I’m so grateful to them for always making me feeling like there is nobody else in the room. At one point as I tried to leave ;) - They linked their arms around me and both in unison said ‘ Lou, you know we love you right?’…. ‘I do, boys and you know I love you too right?’…..Now where would you get that? No matter what I do on this earth and if I never tick the so called boxes off in the society typical ‘made it, got it right’ column, I will live and die knowing I had good friends and in turn I hope I was a good friend to many too. Life is not about stuff. It’s not about list ticking nor stories to tell….for me, it’s about the people who see you, put the effort in, hug you tightly and tell you, they love you.
Hope you all have a wonderful week and I’ll tell Gabrielle. Wallis and Lorraine you were asking for them ;) My friends are your friends and together we travel this road called life together.
Until next time,
Keep smiling - because someone somewhere thinks you’re the bees knees and never forget that ;) oh and they love you too!
Lou xx
Ps . My final recommendation which you can thank me for down in the comments haha ;) is to rewatch Bridget Jones Diary - that’s my plan for this weekend! Meet you on the couch friends…oh and don’t forget you are…..
‘sunshine through my window my shining star’ even on the darkest nights of winter xx
***Oh and like usual, I’m sure there are mistakes along the line here - grammar wise- sorry about those ;) but it’s late now- cinders is running in the door ;) and I know you know me well at this stage and because you love me, warts and all right? ;) I’m sending this letter as it is…. just like me, I am who I am…Also not to forget I’ve started a new friendship group which meets on zoom every Monday night - keep an eye on www.facebook.com/livingandlaughingwithlou for more details. You can book you space at the tea table over on https://calendly.com/workwithlou/finding-the-light-when-the-darkness-is-against-you
Love you for sticking with me and I love you for being YOU. In true Irish style, it takes over fourteen hours to say goodbye and leave. I’m gone this time;) x
I hope you loved the concert!!!!
Have a fabulous weekend Lou
Love this. Good to be out on the town with your old friends.
Bridget Jones Diary makes me kinda homesick.When it was being made, I worked in the very part of London where a lot of scenes were shot. Bridget’s flat was in the top floor of a pub, The Globe, which I knew well. The restaurant Mark Darcy and Daniel crash through, the Borough Market. Many a time I had to pause while a scene was being set up or shot. X