the story of my life part 1

2003

The story begins with a tragic turning point: the death of my mother. In the aftermath of her passing, I found myself stepping into a caretaker role—not only for my own life but for others around me. One of the key people during this time was Josephine, who found comfort and refuge in my home. Our friendship deepened as we supported each other through mutual grief and life’s sudden shifts.


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2004–2005

This was a time of growing closeness between myself, Josephine, and William, a friend from Bray. Josephine split her time between William’s home in Bray and mine in Dublin, offering emotional and practical support to both of us. We formed an informal circle of care, bonded by shared hardship, friendship, and the need for consistency in our lives.


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December 2005

Disaster struck when William’s family home in Bray went up in flames, tragically killing his father, Billy Riggs. The event shocked our entire small network. William was left homeless and emotionally devastated. In the months that followed, Josephine and I supported William by offering meals, company, and stability. She visited Bray three times a week to be with him, while continuing to stay with me the rest of the time. It was an exhausting routine, both physically and emotionally, but one she carried out with unwavering loyalty.


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2006

After several months of temporary arrangements, William finally received the keys to his new home. That milestone marked a natural ending to our friendship. With his new beginning came a quiet but permanent separation. Josephine and I remained close, but the triangle that once defined our daily lives was no more.


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2007–2008

This was a time of transition. Josephine, having poured so much of herself into helping others, began to search for a space of her own—somewhere she could belong, be supported, and grow. That space eventually became the Wicklow Special Olympics club, which she joined in 2008 after years of hesitation. It was a fresh start for her—a new chapter with new people and new routines. Our friendship remained strong, but the seeds of distance were slowly planted as the club's influence began to grow.


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