One woman’s story reveals the hidden heartbreak of caring for a loved one

An only child, Maureen Lowndes became her mother’s carer after her elderly father died. The endless duties made her bitter and suicidal, and damaged her life, she writes.

An only child, Maureen Lowndes became her mother’s carer after her elderly father died. The endless duties made her bitter and suicidal, and damaged her life, she writes.

Christy Moore sings the heartbreaking song ‘Sonny’. The mother in the song begs Sonny to never leave the family home because she is alone. Sonny stays and works the land even though he is not a man yet. Over time, Sonny becomes old and lonely himself and thinks of what might have been if he had been allowed to leave.