A BIT IRISH (by Medbh Gillard and James Healy)

"One thing is certain. I'm never going to be able to explain to Aunty Marie why this wasn't a good present..."

peace

When Aunty Marie visited us years ago, we children would gather round her, competing for her attention with our stories and games.
I remember one day during one of her visits, my brother John arrived in all hot and bothered, threw himself down in an armchair, and announced with great drama:
"We just did sex education at school today."
Aunty Marie enquired: "What was that like John?"
He replied indirectly but with great fervour: "I'm never getting married."
The Aunt asked him why.
"I wouldn't have the nerve," shot back John.

****

Tonight Aunty Marie and my brother John are together again.

Father And Son

The Dad and my brother Doctor Barn are in the kitchen.
Doctor Barn is feeling weary with the vicissitudes of life.
"You wouldn't believe how much work it takes to mind these two kids," he mutters in reference to his children Ryan and Erin.
The Dad emits a chortle.
"Think how much work it took to bring up six," he proclaims triumphantly.
From my place safe in the computer room, I smile at the good of it.

window

tonight

Aunty Marie is close to going.
There were fifteen of us with her tonight praying and singing.
Marie's bed is in the conservatory at Uncle Bernard's.
She was not conscious but I think she could hear us.
I looked around the room.
We were together.
Cousins who couldn't stand each other in childhood. The Uncle I fought with. The brother who was always angry.
Holding hands.
Singing.
This is what Aunty Marie has done for us at the end.