I took a month off from blogging and social media over Christmas,
And I embraced the gift of TIME.
My dear aunt Peggy was nearing the end of her TIME on this good Earth,
Thus I was able to spend precious quiet TIME by her bedside.
The last of a family of eleven,
She passed away peacefully, aged 94 years young on 16 January.
Peggy was a terrific baker, and her treacle scones and pancakes were legendary.
She had a wonderful memory, and could recount past events, long forgotten by many.
At her funeral, the priest said,
“When people like Peggy die, it is like the burning of a library.”
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
Aw, Brigid r.i.p Peggy & end of an era.
Take care & God bless x
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Thank you Margaret. Peggy has left a big gap in all our lives. x
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I know Peggy. Ireland is not the same now for me since the old ones have gone. Can understand now why mum wouldn’t visit the homestead after uncle r.i.p moved into the town.
I sensed the move was imminent when tea bags arrived.
I got your book last week from I books and the few pages I have read ring so true for me also. The Heysham to Belfast boat was so exciting. I can picture us now, me, mum & dad dressed in his smart suit carrying two big heavy cases. Just realised now must be my earliest memory as I don’t remember my brother Ray in this snapshot. Ray is four years younger than me. ❤️
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Thank you Margaret. So many people had to leave Ireland in those days. It was great to be able to return every summer. Sadly, so many moved far away, and never got a chance to return.
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Happy to read you backa again
And may Peggy rest in peace..
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Thank you Mich. It was great to take extra time out.
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May your aunt rest in peace Brigid!
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Thank you Arlene.
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“The burning of a library” – Hopefully many of the books were passed on
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Yes Suzanne. I used to visit her once a week and I have written down some of her stories. She had such a great memory.
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Bridgit, that will be interesting for you and the next generations to read.
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What a wonderful thing to be said of your dear Aunt Peggy. I’m glad you enjoyed your break from blogging and used the time to spend with your Aunty. Very special indeed.
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Thank you Barb. It was a real privilege. Nothing else mattered.
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Time is precious and it’s nice to hear you got that. What lovely words for your aunt and what lovely memories.
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Thank you Liz. I spent a lot of time in her company over the years.
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Awesome
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Thank you.
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Welcome back to ghe coalface 😉 sad to hear of Peggy’s passing. That generation are an inspiration and are a great loss to the world, especially those making great treacle scones 😉
Take care xx
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Thank you Hilary. Peggy always made her treacle scones as a gift for visitors. They were devoured very quickly. xx
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Yes for sure when such good people die they leave behind burnt books. Such a lovely read, Brigid.
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Thank you Kamal. Peggy stored a very big library. A lot of it will be lost.
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Welcome Brigid and I understand but that is life. We all have to pass over.
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Bless Auntie Peggy, she sounds like she had a great life and was a wonderful lady. 🌹
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Thank you Elaine. I spent a lot of time with her since I moved to Ireland. She always had loads of visitors.
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I’m sorry for your loss Bridget, keep smiling 🌹
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What a wonderful tribute to your aunt. It sounds like she had a long and beautiful life. 💗
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Thank you Lisa. She sure did. She was cutting grass and hedges well into her eighties!
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Yes Brigid,
My late father’s r.i.p oldest brother emigrated to America and never knew his younger brother and sister . Of the(family of 10 only the youngest two stayed in Ireland.
Mum’s 2nd cousin next door emigrated to Australia and never returned. Mum had a saying ‘far away in Australia’.
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I’m so sorry for your loss Brigid. I’m glad you were able to spend some one-on-one time with your Aunt Peggy before she passed away. What a priceless gift! This is a lovely tribute to her.
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Thank you Terri. It was a great blessing. I used to spend time with her every Sunday, and we would have tea and pancakes.
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That’s wonderful Brigid. The gift of time is the greatest gift you can give someone, and I’m sure those Sundays were a real blessing for both of you.
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Welcome back. I’m sorry to hear of your loss but it seems that Aunt Peggy might live on in those stories – they need to be retold, please 😊
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Thank you Clive. She remembered so much from the past. I have written some of it down.
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I hope you will feel able to share that, when the time feels right.
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I’m so sorry to hear about your loss of Aunt Peggy, Brigid. I love what the priest said about her. And your memories of treacle scones and pancakes will always keep her in your heart.
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Thank you Hugh. It was a beautiful quote from the priest. I made a treacle scone in her memory last week. It was much enjoyed.
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Treacle scones were my favourites of the things my late aunt r.i.p baked. Memories of home made butter, churns, milking etc.
I felt so privileged to spend quality time with my late aunt & uncle(brother and sister) on my week ends off when I worked in Enniskillen 1987-1988. I was able to help with my aunts care following a stroke also. Really lovely to see the homestead from an adult perspective. My fondest memories however are The ones from my childhood when we all visited as a family.
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Special memories indeed Margaret. Sadly, home made butter is a rare thing here today. I remember everyone taking their turn at churning, including the men. It was hard work!
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I’m so glad you had the time with her. I had been wondering at your absence. Thanks for sharing this.
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Thank you Jacqui. I had planned on taking a month off but I would have taken time off in any event. Family come first.
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“When people like Peggy die, it is like the burning of a library.”
So true… it is good you made time.
I took a week off the net over CHristmas and spent time with the family and grandkids.
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Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed your break. It is so important.
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Endearing post, pleased you had the time to spend with her. There are some amazing people in this world who are bright and intelligent right to the end. The Priest had a beautiful way of expressing such dear souls. Peace and blessings
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Thank you. The priest’s words really struck a cord. Peggy knew so many and so much.
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What a perceptive thing to share!
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Thank you. I had to share her life.
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I love that you took the gift of “Time.” Your aunt, “like losing a library.” That really hit home as we are struggling to get stories from my parents about everything before that is no longer an option. Thanks for sharing this and welcome back Brigid! ~Kim
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Thank you Kim. It is a pity that these great stories get lost. Glad to be back among my blogging buddies.
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Dear Brigid, precious last moment with your aunt … what a family of so many! Endless stories, living on in each of you and perhaps you will have a chance to share small part of the stories from your aunt and her life. So sorry for your loss. Hugs, my friend XX
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Thank you Annika. I did a wee interview with her a few years ago and wrote it all down. She had a tough life but she was an inspiration. There is a big gap in our lives. xx
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Huge hugs winging their way to you. ❤️
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Lovely. Thank you. x
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Sending (((hugs))) across the miles, Brigid. There is so much love in yours words. So much love. XO
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Oops…”your” not yours. XO
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Thank you so much Natalie. I just had to share her life on my blog. x
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Rest well Aunt Peggy
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Thank you.
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Hello Brigid. I’m sorry for your loss. The priest’s words,“When people like Peggy die, it is like the burning of a library.”––brilliant. I’m glad you took the time to be with your aunt and to just take a breather. ❤ xo
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Thank you Vashti. The priest’s words ring so true. Yes. It is well worth unplugging from time to time. x
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So sorry for your loss. It’s moving how you cherish this little time you spent with her and call it a gift. I guess we need to cross a certain bridge to realise the value of simple things in life. My prayers to you, your family and your aunt Peggy.
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Thank you. I think spending time with our loved ones is truly precious. Sometimes we become too busy and forget…
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So sorry for your loss. Time really is our most precious resource.
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Thank you. It sure is. I think it is the greatest gift we can share with someone.
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This is such a beautiful post, Brigid. And interestingly, I just wrote about TIME also in my last post. Peggy lives long in your heart and soul – thanks for sharing her with us here.
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Thank you Pamela. She sure does. I shall pop over to you shortly. Catching up slowly.
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I am so glad you were with your dear Aunt Peggy. What a holy time.
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Thank you Michele. These times are very precious.
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I am glad you were able to spend some quality time with your aunt before she passed. We have to chose how we spend our most precious commodity – time.
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Thank you Robbie. It was a great blessing.
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I’m glad you had some time off, Brigid, to reflect and enjoy some peaceful time. I’m sorry that it also including the passing of your aunt. But I’m sure the chance to enjoy her presence a little while was a gift for both of you. The priest’s words were wonderful and such a lovely glimpse into her life. ❤
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What a wonderful person and the impact and the love she gave shines through. We have just lost my childhood friend’s mother age 95, she was from Tralee but lived in London from the time of WW2. Such characters, such stories.
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Thank you. I am glad I took time to listen to Peggy’s stories. I am sorry for your loss. Living through WW2 in London must have been pretty scary.
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Yes, and all the 90 year olds were young women then!
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So sorry for your loss and grateful for the time you had together… ❤ Blessings and love, Brigid.
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Thank you Bette. We had a very special few days by Peggy’s bedside. It was so lovely and peaceful. xx
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I’m so sorry for your loss, Brigid. I love this tribute and the quote from the priest about your precious Aunt Peggy. ♥️
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Thank you Jennifer. She has left a big gap but she had a long and happy life.
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Lovely, Brigid. Some times are sacred and honouring your aunt is one of them. Thanks for sharing with us. RIP, Aunt Peggy.
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Thank you Cynthia. She was a very special lady. We all miss her terribly.
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“The burning of a library”…what a beautiful tribute and so true…I’m left wishing I could taste those scones and pancakes, they sound divine. I’m glad you were able to spend some quiet time with your lovely Aunt Peggy.
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Thank you Kimberlee. We were very blessed to have those last few days by her bedside. It was a privilege.
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Condolences for your loss and may her test in peace .
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Thank you. I appreciate your kind words.
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