A Dhaoine Uaisle,

The staggering speed with which the Coronavirus has spread has caught us all off guard. It has shown us that we are depending on something much bigger than we think. It has made us appreciate the luxury we lived in, the abundance of product, freedom and health that we took for granted.

          This quiet time has allowed us to put aside problems that we once thought were important and is showing us what is really important. We have woken up to the sheer fragility of our lives and have come to realise the reality of human inter-independence. We breath the same air and we share the same planet.

Our ancestors faced many difficulties in the past. We are now facing difficulties as we enter a more intensive stage of curtailing the coronavirus. We are confined to our homes and gardens while vulnerable RTAI members are in residential care where there are clusters of the virus in some. This is a challenge for us to help our doctors and nurses so they can help us. We will do our part to keep the demand on our health services down. “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine,” (people live in one another’s shelter); Comhar na gComharsan (co-operation of neighbours) – both were much used phrases and much practised acts by our ancestors. But we will have hope for the future. Is gaire cabhair Dé ná and doras.

Be cheerful, do not be a slave to rumours of fear and panic as we struggle through the trials and tribulations of this virus. When this time of fear and uncertainty passes and it will pass let us be ready to CARE and CONNECT with each other in a meaningful way to make this world a better place for all mankind.

“This is a time to be slow

Lie low to the wall

Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let

The wire brush of doubt

Scrape from your heart

All senses of yourself

And all your hesitant light.

       John O Donohue

Enjoy as best you can this quiet time.

Seasfaimid le chéile gualainn le gualainn

Care and Connect and share the love that lives within you.

Casfaimid le chéile amach anseo le cúnamh Dé.

I am with you in spirit.

Mary Kyne 

RTAI President

30 March 2020