Christmas 2024

I wish all our readers and and followers the very best of the season. This has been a difficult year and as it draws to a close I feel gratitude for having been able to travel this road with Robert for the last twelve years, and gratitude that I am able to continue the Journal on my own, with his spirit always with me.

Above all, I am grateful for the many messages of sympathy and encouragement from all of you lovely readers. Thank you – onward and upward!

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28 thoughts

  2. All the very best Finola. Bereavement is such a tough challenge so be gentle with yourself as you grieve the loss of Robert. You have great courage to continue the journal. Thank you. Love and healing to you for this new year. Brenda O’Neill

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  3. During the last week I had a chat with an old friend and we both concurred that young people look to Christmas with excitement and the novelty of what was to come while we older ones find it a time of reflection on past times, past friends and past loved ones. We also felt that it was important to, figuratively at least, raise a glass and remember the past times and people with fondness and positivity and with a recollection of the happy times we all had together. Happy Christmas, Finola and best wishes for the New Year.

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  4. Dear Finola, What a beautiful photograph of Robert. You must feel his presence. Thinking of you and wishing you a Very Happy Christmas . What exciting things are going to happen on the next part of the journey. With lots of love, Sheena.

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  9. Finola, best wishes from across the water.

    Thank you for all your work on the Journal and, as always, we look forward to seeing you in the spring in beautiful West Cork.

    Jeff and Hilary

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  13. Hi Finola,

    You are a trooper and those of us who have lost a loved one understands how courageous it is to carry on, it does get easier and the memories are there , we find the strength from friends and causes to help along the way. Thank you for continuing the blog, it is very enjoyable for your readers. Peace and Joy and good health in 2025

    Marie – an admirer in Vancouver.

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  17. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas, Finola, and we are so happy that you are continuing the Journal posts with Robert always in mind (yours and ours). As I have said before, they have taught us much about West Cork and guided many of our explorations over the past 25 years of visits, which last summer and this coming summer include(d) stays in Ballydehob which we have come to love as much as Baltimore and where we have made many friends. Inspired by you, we drove the Priests’ Leap boreen last summer and found it and its views to be spectacular. We have also come to more greatly appreciate the stained glass work of Harry Clarke and others; we made sure to visit the small exhibition at the National Gallery last summer and have added the larger exhibit at the Collins Barracks to our list for our next Dublin visit.

    We will be in Ballydehob for a week (then Baltimore for a week) during the end of June, and should our paths cross, it would be brilliant to see you and thank you in person for years of education and enlightenment.

    Tommie and Linda

    Tommie and Linda Singleton Driscoll [both: she/her/hers] 4200 Stuart Avenue Richmond, Virginia, USA 23221-1943 804-353-0810, Stationary (best to leave a message) 804-405-2496, Mobile (not always available, try stationary first) Driscoll.Tom@verizon.net Driscoll.Tom@verizon.net

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  19. Thank you Finola. You have had a very difficult year and have shown great strength and steadfastness in keeping up with yours and Robert’s Journal. Happy Christmas to you! Patricia 🎄🎄

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  20. Have a peaceful Christmas Finola….Hoping you have a restful break after a trying year. Thinking of Robert and the great memories we have of him.

    Eugene and Margaret

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  22. Good on you, Finola, RWJ is a treasure trove, I will always have Robert’s memory nearby – both of you held the flag up high. Here’s to your strength, and very best wishes for 2025. Salutations from Paddy.

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  26. Merry Christmas to you Finola. What a great photo of him! So glad you’re continuing with your research, explorations and all that you put into your creative being for us. Thank you!

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