Elise McInerney

And I was surprised to feel this real sense of gravity and reverence as the view outside the window changed from paddocks to a little row of houses and some old colourful buildings along narrow roads.

And then I saw in faded blue paint on an old pub, the word McInerney's.

And I felt an unexpected prickle of tears in my eyes to see my name up there.

to see my name, which in this pocket of the world was on pubs and shop fronts and in churches and cemeteries.

My name, which meant that somewhere in the world, there was a place where I belonged, even if it sometimes felt far away.

And maybe that was a worthwhile trade for a lifetime of correcting spelling and mispronunciation.

Thank you.