Pádraig changed his mind. He had been telling us that the most difficult aspect of his injury is that it is difficult from him to communicate, that it is difficult for us to understand what he is telling us. Today he said that not being able to go out and hanging out with his friends is even more difficult. And who wouldn’t understand that. Just stop for a moment and try to imagine what having to handle this gigantic change must be like. Imagining it is almost unbearable. The reality must be unreal.

We are making progress with An Saol. Plans are being drawn up by a friend which will allow us to reach a decision point on whether we will be able to go ahead with the refurbishment of premises that are available for rent, premises that would be super cool. At the same time we are still with the Charity Regulator trying to get charity status for An Saol. All the scandals in the charity sector over the past months and years have made that process infinitely more difficult. Another reality that seems unreal. Imagine, we have a project approved, the money has been allocated, and we are waiting for what to me looks and sounds like a formality. Unreal.

There are other aspects of my life that are unreal. So unreal, in fact, that I don’t want to think about them too much. That I’m blocking them out. Because, as horrid as they might be, I won’t be able to change them. So I acknowledge them and then focus on aspects of my life and the life of the ones I care for which I can influence and make better. World peace, yes. But not in far away countries. At home. At work. At leisure time.