Hearts CAN Break and Hearts CAN Mend

Five years ago today, I saw my mother’s heart shattering into little pieces less than an hour after she was told that my father was dying.  They had been married for 60 years and literally lived for each other.

Mother never recovered from the shocking disclosure and died five days later. As it transpired, Father didn’t die from that episode but lived on for a further 16 months without her.

That hour in which it seemed that both our parents were going to die was about as nightmarish as it gets. Somehow, you don’t expect these things to happen at eleven o’clock on a bright May morning.

This morning, the world felt very shaky ~ as if the after shocks were rocking it all over the place. I knew that neither Mother nor Dad would want me sitting around replaying the awfulness and that they’d much prefer to see me out in the Tramore air, ideally with a dog running by my side.

So it was that Stan and I headed off and all I can say is that Tramore Beach and nature combined, like magic, to ease my angst and steady the scales.

I always think I’ve seen every single mood and shade of Tramore Beach but today she was different to ever before. The tide seemed to be miles out; there were unique cloud formations and the carpet of Sea Pinks was more vibrant than ever.

Here is hint of  the balm that soothed and carried me along:

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Author: socialbridge

I am a sociologist and writer from Ireland. I have worked as a social researcher for 30 years and have had a lifelong passion for writing. My main research interests relate to health care and sense of place.

8 thoughts on “Hearts CAN Break and Hearts CAN Mend”

  1. It’s hard for me to imagine what you must have gone through in that year and a bit; how fortunate you are to be near the sea; I, too, find it healing beyond words. I’m far from the sea for now, but never forget. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos; tweaked my heartstrings . . .

    Blessings to you. ~ Linne

    1. Linne, many thanks for writing. I certainly won’t deny that it was a rough period but the sea has been a wonderful soother and I give thanks every single day that we live beside it.

  2. I can’t even imagine what you went through, Jean; your story is touching and heartbreaking. But I can see how your beach visit with Stan soothed you. The ocean has it’s way…My Mom passed away over 2 years ago and my Dad is still living. He’ll be 95 in October and it’s great, but he misses her terribly. My sisters and I are sincerely surprised he has lived this long without her because they were together 70 years…the thought of losing both of them, though, is a bit unsettling, so we’ll enjoy each day he’s with us…take care and your photos were breathtaking, as always…

    1. Hi Lauren, yes, I think living and embracing each precious moment with your father is fundamentally important ~ both for him and you.
      Glad you liked the photos. They can never do justice to the real thing!

  3. That is such a beautiful but sad story! You write beautifully and with love for your parents! Then to just make things even better your wonderful poetry! xxx thank you!

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