Kirrikee's Angels " Every year for Christmas in memory of my niece, Kirrikee I buy an angel Christmas decoration to hang on my brothers tree. I secretly place it on their tree a few days before Christmas. Its a nice surprise for them to find it especially when they aren't looking for it. Its my small way of including my niece every year in our family celebrations. I also buy a present to put under the wishing tree in my local parish church, something that I would have brought for my niece, so this year I will buy something for a 4yr old. That way I can help out another family and another little girl can have something special in Kirrikee's memory." Trinity Beer In memory of my niece, Kirrikee Tomorrow There Will Be Flowers There is solace in the garden. For grief, the garden provides a place of refuge and healing. People are often moved to plant something in their garden upon the loss of their baby. Gardening is an act of creation- an affirmation of life continuing on despite what has happened. I think the human spirit is most fulfilled when we create and nurture. Gardeners somehow understand that gardening is so much more than growing plants. It fills a deep yearning for the connection we need to something beyond ourselves. A gardener comprehends the life in plants and their quiet struggle to live. I believe this connection to green life can be part of what sustains us in time of emotional stress. I have heard gardening called a pastime or hobby. But gardeners know the truth. Gardening is a partnership between the plants and the gardener to the benefit of both. We often focus on what we do for our gardens, but stop and think of what you receive in return. Go out into the garden and touch a leaf or smell a flower. You will feel the life- giving power that waits only for you to notice it, and it will fill your heart with what you need most. Gardening is nothing if not a belief in tomorrow - that seeds sown today will germinate and grow, and in their own time the plants will bloom to brighten our lives. Sometimes the belief that tomorrow will come is so important. And even more important is the desire to be there and see what life has to unfold - to know that no matter how terrible things are now, tomorrow there will be flowers. Dan Gill isands newsletter 17

My reason for writing these few words is a tribute to Bernie Purdy ( Bridget Bernadette Downey), my wife. Mother of Mary Purdy, stillborn 16th November 1964 and Peter Purdy born 4th June 1970 and died 5th June 1970. Unknown to us our babies had been buried in the Angel's Plot in Glasnevin and were taken there by the hospital; we had no funeral. In stating this we accepted it as the system of the time. To put it frankly we knew no other way. Now and again discussions as to where our babies were would come up among the family and our other children became aware of their brother and sister up in Glasnevin. Sunday 14th May 1995 is a date that will always be remembered, for on that day the Rotunda Hospital celebrated their 250th Anniversary with a Bereavement Service. Bernie said to me " that's where we are going on Sunday" so we did and it is forever etched out in my heart as a truly special day in our lives. On this day we learned and became aware of ISANDS. This started a string of events that led us to know where our babies are. It brought a lot of happiness to Bernie, who said to me " Jimmy, I am no longer grieving as to where Mary and Peter are". Bernie immediately set out to mark the place. So we went to the hospital where Mary and Peter were born to check dates and then to Glasnevin Cemetery to find out where our babies are. That all done we looked forward to the Service of Remembrance in St. Nicholas of Myra Church and the Blessing of Remembrance in Glasnevin Cemetery every year, as I still do. Bernie has gone to her reward with God since 3rd of December 2002. For us they were always lovely days and a great joy to know where Mary and Peter are. Bernie and me are blessed with a big family. The Blessing of Remembrance in Glasnevin Cemetery is a beautiful simple Service. Always well attended and the flying of the balloons is very moving. I like to follow them until they are out of sight in the sky. The walk to the new Angels graves is a nice connection for long ago and newly bereaved parents and families. At this point, on behalf of Bernie, my family and myself I would like to say a big thank you to all who give their time to ISANDS. It is a time consuming job organising events such as the Blessing of Remembrance and at Christmas time in St. Nicholas of Myra Church Francis Street in Dublin. They are good friends to me and they always have time for a few words and to listen. Other members of their families are often to be seen helping out. To all a big big thank you. At the Christmas Service of Remembrance there are many highlights. One of them being the Garda Male Voice Choir. The singing and the choice if hymns and songs are lovely to listen to. Some are sung at a very low voice and can be very moving. It is much appreciated that this Choir sing for us year after year. A Tribute to Bernie.... " The Church where the Christmas Service of Remembrance is held is beautiful and steeped in history. For those of you who are interested I have taken this opportunity to outline some of the history for you. The site on which the present church is built appears to have been a place of worship from at least the 12th century when a timber church existed there. A stone church and or monastery followed the demolition of the timber building, was built in 1235 for the Franciscan order by Archbishop John Cumin, successor to St. Laurence O'Toole. The stone church was destroyed during the " Dissolution" reign of Henry VIII. The site was reacquired by the Franciscans in the late 17th century but concern about the reaction to the Titus Oates plots, and imprisonment of a succession of Dublin bishops delayed building until 1829, the year of catholic emancipation, when Fr. Matthew Flanagan was Parish Priest. The present church was built as the Metropolitan Church for Irish Catholic Archbishops by Archbishop Patrick Russell, replacing the church in Limerick Lane. The first Parish Priest was appointed in 1809. The designer of the church was the Architect of Russborough House, John Leeson. The building of the church began in the late Georgian period in Dublin in 1829 and was opened in 1834 and dedicated in 1835 " ( St. Nicholas of Myra). Once inside the Church the beauty of it captures you. Just to the left side of the Altar is the Sacred Heart and on the right side Our Lady. Have a look at the old Confession Boxes and some other statues which decorate the Church when you get to visit it. I look forward to the Service of Remembrance in the Summer in Glasnevin Cemetery and at St. Nicholas of Myra Church at Christmas time. The National Remembrance Quilt ( 1993) hangs from the Choir Balcony and must be very satisfying for those whose babies are recorded on it. Then there are the New Remembrance Quilts on display. We got the opportunity to make a patch for Peter and Mary and Bernie made it herself with great pride. It is the first square on the second row of the new Quilt. The Service in the church is a very moving Service and I look upon it as a coming together of a big family as we are all there for the same reason. I would like to thank all in ISANDS for all the help given to us and for their dedication in doing what they do. Jimmy Purdy 18 isands newsletter