Page 19 - IFAFA ebook v4

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Mary Gunning

The word ‘mobility’ really sums up my life story and particularly

the ‘diplomatic spouse’ portion of it. I left my country of birth 43

years ago and have moved in and out of seven cities, not counting

Dublin. Life events in parallel have been moving feasts: marriage in

Tehran, childbirth in Chicago, Dublin and Brussels.

The excitement and variety have been marvellous but they have

been accompanied by some remoteness from my family and friends

in America and, latterly, during posting, from new family in

Ireland. We wrote letters, made expensive landline calls and saved

up for flights! Technology over the years has improved all of these

aspects and eased the downsides of the mobile life.

I knew when we set out that the diplomatic spouse had a time

consuming and at times frustrating role to play but came through it

with some successes and enjoyment in varied geographical settings.

I am glad now to see that, as with other aspects of diplomacy, the

manner of hosting and entertainment, and the spouse’s part, have

moved along with the times.

Mobility back in the 20th century did not make for easy pursuit of

a career of my own. But study on the side has raised my

qualifications and opportunities, and various employments in the

teaching field have enhanced my CV. Now to see about pension

rights from diverse countries!

IFAFA gave a great sense of comradeship, the well-known benefit of

diminishing or solving a problem by sharing it, and the necessary

provision of an interlocutor for DFA on its unpaid cohort of co-

workers. Thank you to all IFAFA members who so generously gave

their time to this worthwhile organisation.

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