Sir, – A huge thanks to Cecelia Ahern’s 2021 novel, Freckles. Over the course of a week I listened to the audio book as I smiled and grew attached to her vulnerable heroine.
Through her job as a parking warden, we get to share her discovery of the five people who shape her. The book made me think about my five people, a concept I had only previously considered after reading Mitch Albom’s The five people you meet in heaven.
For the past week, Freckles became one of my five. Thanks Cecelia for reminding me that we are who we surround ourselves with.
I am a woman who should have this perspective already, having survived a breast cancer diagnosis over 10 years ago. But sometimes we need to be reminded that life is short, don’t waste it, surround yourself with your five people. Remember to appreciate those five stars.
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Last week I found changes in my breasts. I was concerned so I made an appointment with my doctor in Mount Merrion. I was early so I went for a walk and finished my book. What a little treat. It was a beautiful way to end the story. I smiled a lot.
I thought about my parking meter and decided I had enough time. After my consultation was over, I discovered the warden clamping my car. He told me I was five seconds too late. I laughed. It was my fault for risking it. He needed to take more photos before I could pay the €125 fine.
We chatted away, me laughing as I should have put in that extra 50 cents before walking away, him looking at me pecularly. He told me no one had ever laughed. But he hadn’t just gone on an adventure with Freckles, he hadn’t gone to the doctor and been told they were okay. He hadn’t been reassured that the cancer hadn’t come back.
Sometimes in life we just need to laugh and be thankful that we will live to see another day. I honestly didn’t care about the ticket, it was my fault and I was immensely thankful that the cancer hadn’t returned.
In our day-to-day lives, we come across people all the time. Some of those people have rotten jobs, like my clamper man today. Freckles reminded me that how I react is important, not only for me but for those I interact with. Thanks Cecelia. – Yours, etc,
SARAH O’REILLY,
Co Dublin.