4.2 C
Portlaoise
Thursday, April 2, 2026
when blue skies return peaceful spring morning

When Blue Skies Return: A Widow’s Voice

After years of dreading sunny days and silent weekends, our Guest Writer kindly shares how something has quietly shifted. In this gentle reflection, she describes how spring light, birdsong, and a moment in the garden revealed not just change but the beginnings of peace.
Self-Care

What is Self-Care for Someone Grieving

You may have come across the term, "Self-Care", but what exactly is meant by it? Self-care is an important aspect of coping with grief...
Mother’s Day after bereavement

Mother’s Day After Bereavement: Supporting Children Missing Their Mum

Mother’s Day can be a complicated time for families after a bereavement. Mother’s Day after bereavement often brings a mixture of emotions for children...
health insurance counselling support

Health Insurance Counselling Support You Might Already Have

If you’re grieving, your private health insurance may already cover counselling. Many Irish policies include support—here’s how to check.

Living with Loss

The Irish Hospice Foundation has produced a number of helpful videos dealing with loss and bereavement. This video entitled, ‘Living with Loss’ is four women who share their story. They talk about what it was like after their loved one died and how they were affected by the loss. They tell us what they found helpful and how they have managed to come through the early difficulties of bereavement. In the video they mention the benefit of the Bethany Bereavement Support Group and how it helped them to communicate their loss. Bethany Bereavement Support Group is a voluntary parish based ministry which aims to help the bereaved and grieving.
Widowhood Touches Every Kind of Life

Widowhood Touches Every Kind of Life

Behind some of the world's most recognisable faces, grief is no stranger. When a partner dies, life can feel as though it has simply stopped....
Elizabeth Turner – The Blue Skies of Autumn

Elizabeth Turner – The Blue Skies of Autumn

Elizabeth Turner – The Blue Skies of Autumn September 11th 2001. For Elizabeth Turner its more than a tragic event on the other side of...
Helping Children Cope with Grief – Rosemary Wells

Helping Children Cope with Grief – Rosemary Wells

Helping Children Cope with Grief by Rosemary Wells When my husband passed away suddenly in a traffic accident, I was faced with the terrible task...
inspirational quotes

Encouraging Quotes for the Widowed

Inspirational and encouraging quotes for someone who is widowed, along with the known name of who said it: "The greater the love, the greater the...
apple, nest

How do I adjust to living in an empty nest now?

It piddling rain here in South Galway and I'm in my living room covered up with a soft Pennys throw. It's darkish outside and it really feels like winter. Maybe we've bypassed autumn all together. I've been making pot after pot of my not world famous apple & ginger chutney. So, it must be autumn. Right!! The house is so quiet. Even Daithi the cat is staying nearby. I think he and my dog Lola feel the loneliness of the empty nest that I'm surviving in. Denis the goldfish hasn't really changed his routine so I'm pretty sure that he is oblivious to my plight.