This Town

Yesterday I thought I saw your shadow running around

Funny how things never change in this old town

If the whole world was watching

I'd still dance with you

Years ago, when I learned my best friend was dying - was right around the time I discovered a group called One Direction.

I followed them for about a year or two..but eventually grew out of their music and moved on to other sounds.

Yet even though I didn't buy their music anymore, I kept tabs on one particular person in the group. There was something special about him and I just got the sense he was different.

Niall Horan comes from Ireland.

Watching him through the years, I was impressed by his humbleness. He didn't seem to go through a downward spiral like the rest of the boys did.

He seemed very grounded.

In 2013 during my first trip to Ireland - We visited Munster. The area where Horan is from.

While traveling one day, a car stopped by ours.

And to my surprise - there was Niall. Sitting in the vehicle next to me.

I quickly learned from the locals he was visiting his brand new baby nephew, Theo.

Fast-forward to present day; things are very different.

One Direction does not exist anymore.

And Niall recently released his very first solo song.  (You can hear it down below.)

Admiration and love from a man's point of view has always intrigued me.

And I'd like to thank some men.

I recently had something very bad happen to me.

A man (and he does not deserve the title man)  scarred me. And it nearly destroyed me.

But just as I thought I was broken..I took a look around me..and I found that there are real men out there...and one by one, they all helped me back up.  

To the man in Dublin - Thanks for teaching me that all Irishmen aren't the same. Thank you for all your sweet good morning messages. Thank you for making me feel sexy again. You've no idea how much I want to collapse in your arms back in Ireland.

To the man in the Library - The day I met you is a day I'll never forget. I was sitting doing my work. I heard you behind me. You set your things  down and I wondered to myself if a blind person could tell by the sounds of a human without speaking; if they were a man or a woman. 

So I wondered if you were a boy or a girl. I bet you were a boy.

I decided to get up and walk by you to see if I was right.

As I got up and turned around our eyes met. I took a step forward and to my surprise you had a giant fluffy smiling yellow lab laying on the floor in my pathway. You told me he was friendly and let me pet him.

I see you working at the Library whenever I'm there..and today you waved at me. I really like you - and if I'm brave enough, maybe I'll ask you out for coffee sometime.

To the guy in New York - You came out of nowhere! You're exactly what I've been looking for and I love your company. You make me feel more sane, and you tend to put my feet back on the ground. You write me poems and you truly are one of the sweetest men. I wish I could meet you someday..for you helped heal my heart.

To the other guy in New York - Thanks for making me dream big! - Thanks for falling in love with my words on here. For the skype fun and for your friendship. I appreciate you so much!

To the kid on Campus - Yeah. You. I know you're probably much younger than I am - but there's something very compelling about you. That day you waved to me in your car made me smile. You must really like me..because I usually don't pay attention to people in cars across from me at stoplights. I'm excited to see what happens with you and I - because I have a feeling in a matter of days..we're going to be friends...and there are going to be a lot of new butterflies.

So men.

Thank you.

Thank you for showing me my worth. For making me feel again.

And well done to Niall down there.

Proud of him!

Author's Note