We were not sorry to see the back of 2023. My cancer diagnosis and treatment has challenged us all. As I recover, the focus is gradually changing to the next steps and how we embrace that.

Tim and I have been changed. Life is not so certain anymore and it takes time to get our heads around it. The rest of the family have been impacted too. Nevertheless, we hope that 2024 will bring us good things and the positivity to deal with any challenges that may arise.

Bigger picture

The bigger picture in the world does not help any of us. Daily we hear about war, destruction and human suffering that we can only imagine. Refugees seeking asylum and others migrating away from war zones or persecution need our support. I am proud that our country has taken in so many Ukrainians and we continue to afford asylum to people who need it.

However, the fact that so many asylum seekers have nowhere to sleep troubles me. There is a limit to what our country can do on one hand but on the other, we have to step up. It is a huge and necessary task and is difficult enough without the interference of what is termed “the far right”. The burning of buildings that might house people who badly need shelter is wrong and very sad. Groups or individuals taking destructive action against people or property cannot be condoned. This delays intervention for people that have no place to sleep.

There is a helplessness around this that ordinary folk feel. We want to help but have no idea where to start. Surely the backing and support of government decisions is the least we can do. Now is the time to change our attitude and embrace what is good and right. Our words and actions can influence others.

Chaning focus

While Christmas may be a distant memory at this stage – we had something of a belated festive dinner in our house as we navigated through COVID-19 once again. Tim had a bit of a cold towards the end of our time in London and it turned out to be Covid, so we had the masks on and we fell into the routine of isolation. While Tim got over it quickly, I continued to test positive for eight days. I was aware that I was vulnerable. I was happy that I was not too sick. Nevertheless, I find that it has depleted my energy levels considerably and it is taking me a while to pull out of it. I hit a wall and I just have to stop and rest. It is frustrating but necessary.

A special dinner

While I was infectious, I had my meals away from the family and we kept away from David, Julie, Ricky and Diarmuid. I wondered why we went to London at all.

It’s very easy to be wise after the event. Still, we needed the break and we did enjoy it.

In order to keep people safe, Julie cancelled Ricky’s birthday party for the Sunday before Christmas. My little grandson asked his Mammy, “why does this always happen to us?”. When he’d see me passing through the kitchen, he’d shout, “Granny, is the Covid gone?”. It was the fourth Christmas that Ricky couldn’t see his West Cork cousins. He adores them. They have fabulous fun together. I tell him, “the good news is that your party is still to come.” It will now happen at the end of January.

The boys stayed away too which included the newest member of the family, my grandson, Peter. I missed the cuddles. Colm and Elaine are being very careful keeping to themselves and close family to keep Peter safe from RSV. If Covid-19 has taught us one thing, it’s how to protect ourselves from infection.

Unfortunately, it means keeping away from family functions and crowded places. We know this works. Our family Christmas dinner happened on New Year’s Day and it was lovely to have all of us together.

Generations

The icing on the cake was that Tim’s mother, Lil, was able to be with us. We had the four generations in the one room. Lil was thrilled to meet her fifth great grandchild – what an achievement at 96 years old. She cuddled baby Peter and chatted enthusiastically to him as we took lots of

pictures. She is a wise and wonderful lady.

Meet the Maker: Niamh McCarthy from Niamh Designs Embroidery

‘It is time to change our attitude and embrace what is good and right’

As Katherine O’Leary recovers from cancer, she is happy it’s a new year and says she is proud that Ireland honours its commitments to those who seek asylum and refuge.