Marie O'Rourke

Today should have been a celebration of my darling sister Mia’s 60th birthday. I’m trying to hold, look at and listen to the space that Mia made and left in my heart and mind. I’m trying to be okay with the silence as memories and tears come. 23 years on, it still doesn’t get any easier but I’m trying to be guided by what Yiyun Li said so perfectly in her recent memoir, Things in Nature Merely Grow: “There is no real salvation from one’s life. Books, however, offer the approximation of it…Writing, too, offers the approximation of salvation.”

Sending birthday love and (virtual) cake to you today, Father Bear. Wherever/whatever you may be, I hope you’ve found the peace and contentment that eluded you in life. xo

Christmas, for our family, has always been a time to show love through delicious food shared with our nearest and dearest. So what better way to lead into the ‘big’ day than baking Nonna’s strudel with my beautiful Mumma and big sister? These little rituals bring the past into the present, and help ensure all of the family is at our Christmas table, in spirit if not in person.