Ms. Anne O’Connell and Ms. Una Rogan

Because someone we love is in heaven,
There is a little bit of heaven in us!

In June 2005 I was cycling through Sandymount going to a job interview in a school called Willow Park. I fell off my bike, tore my trousers and then had to put the chain back on the bike. I arrived through the gates of this wonderful school with a hole in my trousers and my white shirt covered in black oil along with my hands. I walked through the doors into the reception area and was met by two wonderful women.

Ms. Una Rogan was standing at the reception window talking to Ms. Anne O’Connell and they turned round to see a man sweating with a hole in his trousers and covered in oil – more importantly they couldn’t understand a word I said because of my strong Glaswegian accent. Nonetheless the kindness, compassion and care that these two ladies showed me that day has stayed with me. They managed to locate clean trousers and a white shirt, made sure I had the chance to wash my hands, gave me a cup of tea and both had a real interest in my story and why I was in Ireland. This straight away put me at ease and genuinely gave me the first glimpse of the ethos that we have in this wonderful school community.

Both ladies were lifelong friends and shared many trips away together throughout their years in Willow Park. More importantly both ladies truly valued family and relationships and this meant that both were ideally suited to work in a school because kindness, compassion and nurturing care came naturally to both. We only had to witness the amount of past pupils, colleagues, relatives and friends who attended both funerals last week to see the lasting influence that both ladies have left behind. I often reflect on what might have happened if I did not meet these two wonderful ladies on that day in June, however I thank God that I did and it fills me with warmth and joy to witness daily the lasting impression and legacy that both ladies have left behind in Willow..

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

I would rather walk with a friend in the dark than alone in the light.

Helen Keller