Christmas is a time for family, catching up with friends and being together. It isn’t always possible for everyone to be in the one place. That’s life. Many families have someone abroad. Imelda May has a song called Meet You at the Moon. It is poignant when you are missing someone and you hear it. I heard it the other day and it has stayed with me.

Philip will not be home for Christmas. He will be home for the new year so there’s not much fear of me. Yet, I miss him profoundly and I know that he will find it lonely too. He will have his Christmas dinner away this year and I’m sure we’ll talk on Christmas Day.

I remember the first Christmas that I had to work in the Munster Institute Cork. I thought I’d die of loneliness. I was only 18.

Cartoon by Clyde Delaney.

There is no better connection than the Christmas card or the good old fashioned letter. So this evening, I take up my pen to write to my second son Captain Philip O’Leary who is serving overseas with the Irish Defence Forces and to all of the people who are away this Christmas. Have a good one and know that you are loved.

Woodside, 2019

Dearest Philip,

I am sitting here in the living room. A few candles burn on the table. Storm Atiyah, forecasted to hit the west of Ireland, has reached as far as us. The power has just gone out. We didn’t expect it so there was a scramble for candles. Of course, my head torches are missing and the two red torches are in the farmyards. Julie, David, Tim and D are here. We are all on devices and largely silent. D is agitated. You know the way he gets when he can’t watch a screen!

I still find it therapeutic to write to people. It makes a special connection of really giving special time to the person

I’m sure you’re surprised to get a letter! I don’t think I’ve ever written a proper letter to you before! When I was in boarding school in Cahir, Mam – your Granny – used to write to me every week. My granny used to write to me too. We were allowed home once a month and Mam would always give me stamps on the way back so I’d have no excuses. I’d travel back with Pauline and Geraldine Grimes and we’d hardly speak on the way back with the depression of it! How times have changed. I still find it therapeutic to write to people. It makes a special connection of really giving special time to the person.

I’ll miss our Christmas Eve trip to town and we’ll have to organise our Christmas Eve breakfast ourselves

I remember the first year I couldn’t go home for Christmas. We had to work in the Munster Institute milking the cows and looking after the poultry houses. I felt my heart had been gouged out but we got through it and made memories for life. It’s not your first Christmas away from home but I’m sure that doesn’t make it any easier, especially being away from Aileen. She was here earlier with Nala and Luna. She gave them a good run in the fields and they got so dirty that she had to leave them after her!

Conor Lehane delivered the Christmas tree earlier. He’s the image of Pat. I miss you for that job. I’ll miss our Christmas Eve trip to town and we’ll have to organise our Christmas Eve breakfast ourselves! It’s funny how we all have our special jobs.

You saw on the WhatsApp that we finished grazing on the 1 December with an average farm cover of 634kg/ha. The men are very pleased with themselves to graze that long and still have that cover. We won’t feel the 1 February when calving will start and you’ll be home.

Julie and Dave have only a week or two left now to the birth of their baby. The excitement is building and I wish it was over for Julie

We went to visit the heifers on our way back from the Nuffield Conference and we were delighted with them. They will come home the middle of January. That will be a special day. Julie and Dave have only a week or two left now to the birth of their baby. The excitement is building and I wish it was over for Julie. These days are hard. I can’t imagine being a granny, though!

I’m rambling on, so happy Christmas Philip. Roll on the new year and listen to Imelda May’s song, I’ll Meet You at the Moon.

Love you always, Mom x