(Continued from Page 1)

When he finished the Happy Cow remix, the band invited Walter to stay with them as they continued their set of Irish classics. Walter knew the words to many of these after many nights out with Seamus over the years and he revelled in providing very popular backing vocals. But at the same time he was longing for the band to take a break so that he could go and talk to Saoirse once more. Eventually they took a well earned rest, giving a warm thank you to Walter which was echoed by the onlookers. With his eyes fixed on Saoirse, Walter stepped away from the stage. He was high with the adrenaline of performing and bounded over to where she was patiently waiting for him.

"Look at you!" Saoirse enthused as Walter got close enough to hear her over the clamour. "Dat was brilliant, Walt, and you look so aloive. Beautiful!"

"Oh, cheers," Walter said, beaming. "It's been quite some time. I LOVE that. I'd forgotten just how good it feels."

"Oi can see dat, Walt. Does the feeling remoind you of anyting?"

"How do you mean?" asked Walter, unsure of what she was getting at.

"The enthusiasm in your voice remoinds me of when you were talking to me just a few hours ago - when you were talking to me about Tallina." Walter stopped and silently contemplated what she had said. "You told me you love her and just now you told me you love the singing. I wonder what it is dat makes you feel dat way. What is it dat's different about you at dose toimes?" Walter still wasn't ready to give any kind of answer. "Shall I tell you what I tink?" asked Saoirse.

"OK," Walter agreed.

"When Oi watched you on the stage just now, for the first toime Oi saw a Walter who was completely relaxed and at ease. Oi don't tink it's a coincidence that you speak of love when you recall experiencing dat. Now think about your toimes with Tallina. What was different about dat? Oi hear you were pretty popular with de ladies before you met her? So what was different? Why was it love with her?" Saoirse then remained silent for a few moments allowing Walter to contemplate what she had said. Eventually Walter spoke.

"Because with her there was no pretense. With her I could just be myself. Sure I have had plenty of girls in my time but I was always putting on a show. They usually liked me because of the singing and I played up to that image, putting on the bravado even when I didn't feel like it both for them and to maintain my image. With Tallina it was different. With her I could just relax. I could just let go. It was wonderfully effortless. I loved her and I just didn't care who knew about it. In fact, I probably annoyed he hell out of folks by going round telling them."

"Ha ha!" Saoirse laughed at Walter's last little confession. "Maybe you can see now Walter that it was the change in you that brought you love. I have no doubt that Tallina is a lovely girl, but you love her for the same reason that you love singing. You love her because for once you let go and allowed yourself to love without fear. In all aspects of life, Walt, that moment you let go will be the moment you find love."

If Walter had heard this from someone else, he may well have questioned what they were saying. But Saoirse embodied what she was saying with her every breath, movement and action and because of this her words carried great weight. Tears of realisation and relief ran down Walter's cheeks as once again he chose to let go.

<< Let Go Page 1

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