President joins families in hope at memorial

As he stood on the banks of Lough Ree in the heart of Ireland’s Lake District, President Michael D Higgins gazed skywards to watch a bright rainbow of balloons swirl and soar to the heavens, each one a visible reminder of loss and heartache — but also a symbol of hope.

He and his wife Sabina, who have four children, were there to witness the annual Balloon To Remember release by Anam Cara, the national support organisation for bereaved parents. President Higgins accompanied families from across Ireland in releasing thousands of balloons, each one dedicated to the memory of a son and daughter who have died throughout the island.

Taking place on All Souls’ Day, President Higgins, accompanied by his wife as well as Anam Cara ambassador Miriam O’Callaghan, a mother of eight, gathered with 51 families at the Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

Releasing the first balloon, President Higgins described the death of a child as a uniquely devastating kind of loss and one that can make the world seem like a cruel place.

“We would hope that every human being has the empathy to imagine the pain and agony of losing a beloved child,” he said.

“However, only those for whom such a loss is a lived reality day after day can truly understand how absolute the sense of loss is and how overwhelming and frightening the rawness of grief feels.”

He continued: “Anam Cara is a truly participative group that is built on the vision that all bereaved families throughout every community in Ireland will have access to the relevant support services they need following the death of a son or daughter.

“While every bereaved parent’s journey will of course be their own individual journey, it can be the friendship and support of kindred spirits that gives them the strength and energy to keep going. While there is valuable bereavement support services offered to parents throughout Ireland, there is very few that focus solely on those who have lost a child. Anam Cara fills that gap by specialising in supporting families who have suffered the loss of a beloved son or daughter.”

Sharon Vard, CEO of Anam Cara said: “If life was to turn out like planned, our children outlive us. Unfortunately the reality is that this is not always the case, and each year in Ireland almost 2,000 families face into the devastation the death of a child brings to them and their communities.”

The balloon release also launches Anam Cara’s Month to Remember.

* www.anamcara.ie