I am posting a story by Jackie. She is trying desperately to join Interference but for some reason it is not going through. So I told her I would post the story for her. Here it is:
My Dream Holiday.
Well, we finally made it...just me and my girls are in Dublin. My eldest
daughter Christie has just turned 7 and understands just were we are going,
but her younger sister Caitlyn who is only 3 is still too young to realise.
I have been telling them for years that we are going to where Bono lives,
and now we are so close.
I left the safety of the airport and stepped out into the strange city we
were to call home for the next week. I had never been on a holiday on my own
before and was now feeling just a bit apprehensive. The taxi dropped us in
front of the hotel and we made our way to our room. It was just like the
brochure, and the people are so friendly. I was feeling more comfortable by
the minute. We settled in and calmed ourselves down, "we will have plenty of
time to see where bono lives in the morning"
I kept telling the girls... but really was telling myself. I was just like
an excited child.
After a sleepless night we made our way into the city of Dublin. We had a
tour booked for the afternoon which was great but it was hard to concentrate
on what the guide was saying. I was too busy looking at every man that
walked past , thinking that they were Edge, Larry, Bono or Adam.
Another day past and we were having a blast! This is such a great place. The
girls had even stopped asking when they were going to Bono's place. The next
day , after the rain stopped and the sun made it's way out we ventured to a
large park. The kids were having a ball playing with all the local children.
Then I could hear a child crying... and realise it was Caitlyn. "She's hurt
her arm" a pretty little girl told me in a thick Irish accent. "OK thanks
for helping her" I replied. As I held Caitlyn and her tears disappeared I
couldn't get past the feeling that the little girl looked familiar. "Ava,
time to go" I heard a voice call out. Just then my heart missed a beat. " My
god, I don't believe it" I muttered. I stood up and held onto Caitlyn
tightly. My legs started to shake and I felt tears come to my eyes. As I
blinked them away I made out the figure standing in front of me. Larry. I
have loved him since I was 13 and now he was standing in front of me. What
do I say?? " But I want to play with Caitlyn" a little voice interrupted.
"hello?" I could hear him talking but was frozen... I couldn't talk. After
what seemed like hours I mumbled a shaky "hello". After a few minutes of
small talk, while the girls ran off and played together he once again said
that he had to go. I had told him my life story and why I was in Dublin when
he asked "when do you fly out ?" "Sunday" I replied. "the girls are having a
great time together and we are having a birthday party for Aaron on
Saturday.. why don't you come ? the whole band will be there". That was it ,
I had to sit down. I accepted and Larry wrote down the address. "don't
forget your camera and video" he said as he and Ava walked slowly to the
car.
The next few days were a blur. All I could think about was Saturday. I
wanted the holiday to go slowly but couldn't wait for Saturday to come. The
girls were excited but nothing compared to what I was feeling. On the
morning of the party we all went to buy new outfits to wear. We arrived at
the address Larry had scrawled and made our way to the door. Bono answered
it..."Bono! Bono!" my kids yelled and ran to hug him. He just laughed while
I explained their show of affection. The day went past too quickly. The kids
played happily together and so did the adults. I was having a ball. Taking
photos and filming the guys together with the video camera. My family will
never believe this I thought to myself.Then it was over. It was late and the
girls were tired. I made my way around the room saying goodbye and thanking
them for making me the happiest girl alive.
I didn't sleep at all that night.
The last boarding call had just been made for our flight back to Sydney when
I heard my name being called. I turned around to see Larry running towards
us.
"Just came to say goodbye" he said with a cheeky grin on his face. " Thanks
for everything... look us up when you're in Sydney next" I said..."For sure"
Larry replied.
Just then he leaned forward and brushed his lips against my cheek. I turned
my head and just caught the corner of his lips. "Sorry, I couldn't resist" I
apologised. He smiled as we walked away. The flight back to Australia was
long but it passed in a blur. I kept thinking of what could have been. We
only went expecting to see Bono's house from the gates but instead were
welcomed into the U2 family.
What a trip!!!
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"I invented cool, and YOU"RE on a boat with me."- Larry
"On security, the bodyguard of the band; the man who gave us our first job, and keeps us in our first job. On the drums- LARRY...MULLEN..JR!!!!"
-Bono introducing Larry, Boston, June 6, 2001
