Remembering those who sleep in heavenly peace this Christmas

On bitterly cold recent Saturday morning I was at a bit of a loose end, which is rare. Normally I don’t have time to think about what to do as the schedule is generally full.

It had been a good while since I took a visit to the family grave in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Castlerea and for some reason it was the first thing that came to mind.

“Great craic” I hear you say, and I’d have to agree, but the visit did more for me than any night on the town.

December is a month which is filled with joy and celebration, but I also find it to be a period of reflection. As I walked down to the grave, I thought about the many visits we made to same place each Christmas Day rain, hail, or snow.

When I reached the resting place, I stood at the frost covered grave for a few minutes in silence, breathing in the thin cool air while reading the headstone and thinking about times of past while having deep gratitude for being able to be here.

Lifting my head, I looked around to see that the graveyard was noticeably more occupied than my previous visit. I slowly walked around spending time at each grave, reflecting on moments experienced in years gone by with those that rested in front of me, sometimes in shock at how years have gone by so fast since neighbours, friends and great characters of the town have passed. I thought fondly about my interactions growing up with those who had recently left us while having empathy and awareness of the grief their families are experiencing as the first Christmas without their loved one approaches. For every grave I passed I had an acute awareness of the aching hearts left behind.

Walking out through the graveyard gates I felt humbled and incredibly grateful that I could step back into my every day life, which I can often but should never take for granted. No matter what a person's stature, wealth, nationality, race, or gender - the only thing that is certain in this life is death.

This Christmas I want to continue to get busy living, smiling, and laughing while taking time to breath in the good moments, appreciating and celebrating them and those around me. When all is calm and all is bright in our lives, I feel it's important to have a conscious awareness and empathy for those who may be struggling after the recent loss of their loved ones who now sleep in heavenly peace this Christmas.

Never be so busy as to not think or help others around us.

Nollaig Shona Daoibh