Poetry Friday
I was looking through the archive of poems here for one that speaks particularly to me during this difficult time, and I found myself lingering on Rumi’s The Guest House. I am very… Continue reading
In 1948, two French scientists noticed something unexpected in their lab samples: fragments of DNA drifting in blood plasma. At the time, the discovery seemed trivial, even puzzling. DNA, after all, was supposed… Continue reading
You’ve likely heard people talk about “chemo brain”—or maybe you’ve even felt it yourself. It’s that foggy sensation that can make it tough to find the right word, recall a friend’s name, or… Continue reading
So few grains of happiness measured against all the dark and still the scales balance. – Jane Hirshfield “The Weighing” I’ve been reflecting on these lines from Jane Hirshfield’s poem The Weighing and how its… Continue reading
In many cultures, greetings are often seen as polite and routine exchanges. However, in some Muslim cultures, there exists a profound dimension to these everyday interactions. When someone asks, “How are you?” in… Continue reading
I discovered that today, September 16th is ‘Tattoo Story Day’. While I am not sure if this is a day that’s universally marked, it gives me the prompt I need to tell the… Continue reading
Checking my August Awareness Day Calendar, I discovered that today, August 30th is designated as Grief Awareness Day. Sometimes I feel we are awash with grief in our community. Not just in our… Continue reading
Are you looking for a new job after cancer treatment? Perhaps you left your last employment after your diagnosis, or maybe you are still in your current job but want a fresh start… Continue reading
“In a society which is much more inclined to help you hide your pain rather than to grow through it, is necessary to make a very conscious effort to mourn.” – Henri Nouwen Grief… Continue reading
T for this week’s round-up of the best of the blog posts which I’ve read over the past week. These are the posts that have moved me, taught me something, inspired me, and which I’ve wanted to share with you. Don’t forget if you have written a post which you would like readers to see, just […]
The Thing Is to love life, to love it evenwhen you have no stomach for itand everything you’ve held dearcrumbles like burnt paper in your hands,your throat filled with the silt of it.When… Continue reading
The Butterfly Effect For Marie Ennis O’Connor So close and still Quietly far away From the company Who chose you The day you heard The word we all Heard. Echoes In a canyon… Continue reading
26 posts. 26 days. 26 letters of the alphabet, one blog post beginning with each letter. H is for Hair I started this blog a few years after my breast cancer diagnosis and… Continue reading
I was looking through the archive of poems here for one that speaks particularly to me during this difficult time, and I found myself lingering on Rumi’s The Guest House. I am very… Continue reading
I am reposting this from last December. I have just returned from a hospital admission for another miscarriage this week and I wanted to repost by way of explanation for why I… Continue reading
Florence Nightingale, who died 100 years ago this week, is popularly remembered as “the Lady with the Lamp” (from her habit of making rounds at night), who did heroic work nursing wounded soldiers… Continue reading
I came across a recipe for this light summery salad recently and thought it sounded delicious. Unfortunately our Irish summer seems to have disappeared but if it makes a reappearance these grilled peaches,… Continue reading
If you want to be interesting, be interested. If you want to be heard, listen. If you wish to truly learn, teach. If you would like to be wealthy, be generous. If you… Continue reading
Today’s Poetry Friday is a little different. Instead of a poem, I have a prayer, the words of which I wish for all of you. Make Me Strong in Spirit Make me strong in… Continue reading
Last night I watched the movie Click, starring Adam Sandler and Kate Beckinsale, on DVD. It is about a man who receives a magical universal remote control which enables him to flash back, stop and… Continue reading
I caught the last few minutes of TV star and lead vocalist of the 80s pop group the Nolans, Bernie Nolan, on GMTV yesterday as she spoke about her treatment for breast cancer. Bernie revealed that,… Continue reading
In many cafés and restaurants across Ireland, courgettes are frequently (mis)used to make a poor excuse of a watery ratatouille or the sort of unappetizing vegetable ‘lasagne’ only ever eaten by desperate vegetarians with… Continue reading
The opportunities you have are too beautiful and too valuable for you to let them pass you by. Stop making excuses and start making progress. What you imagine, you can begin. What you… Continue reading