Fr David, family, friends, I really want to acknowledge all those who supported Aisling in her last few years. She relied on so many for this support which was always given with love and a desire to see her get better.
Her incredible second Family in SF who took her into their hearts and showed her what it means to be loved. Dr Michelle Melisco and the Medical Staff in UCSF who gave her every treatment she needed; her friends Ellen, Margaret, and Emily as well as her housemates Kelsey and Matt who all just rallied around her in ways we can never repay; finally her spiritual groups and in particular Kenny and Dee who were her goto Counsel when she was feeling afraid.
And of course to all of you who did so much for Aisling, your help was both emotional and practical; there were so many fundraisers conducted to help her carry this fight on her terms, the swims, the school reunions, the coffee mornings, and Nic who ran the Dublin Marathon for Aisling this Oct! There were offers of help to Miriam and Lorna to allow them spend time with Aisling and these are all sincerely appreciated. Lastly to the amazing Medical staff in the CUH and especially St Cristopher's Ward staff in Marymount Hospice Cork, they created a space where Aisling felt safe, to make a home away from home and where she really wanted to be on her last days. We can't thank them enough! We must also acknowledge the unfailing support and Love from both Lorna and Ian who have shared the burden of Aisling's illness with us over the past few years.
Aisling was a bright shining star who brought light to everything and everyone she met! She was an irrepressible force who brought a smile to your face and made you laugh no matter how serious the situation. She fought her illness with positivity, uncompromising energy, and very often blind determination. I have found myself asking the Why Us question a lot lately; and then I think of Aisling posing for photos immediately before and after her brain surgery, taking the mickey out of herself with two devil horns and a face so innocent it would melt butter! If she could take that burden on like that then we have no real reason to feel sorry for ourselves. She never complained, the most she said to us was "This Sucks!" There were so many messages of love for her in the last few days, but one summed her up: "She was always looking for the miracle, but she WAS the miracle!"
But Aisling was not defined by her Illness! she was so much more than the Cancer Warrior she became in the last few years. She was unique among the four of us Siblings, many called her the Black Sheep of the herd; and yes she did things her own way, often different, but always well thought out and researched. Her greatest skill was her ability to bring you around to her way of thinking! I think she broke her Dad, Pat at about 14, and immediately went to work on moulding Milly to her way of thinking, but this would take a lot longer! In fact Aisling was often likened to Mam's Sister Kathleen, herself the wild one of the Thunder/Tucker family!
Aisling was also a very spiritual person and devoted a large part of her life developing her practical and spiritual knowledge. While traveling in India some years ago, Aisling studied under an amazing healer,he nurtured and encouraged her to use her light and her healing hands to help others and he was to be one of many teachers who saw Aisling's gifts. She relied on her training and skills to get her through the dark times when she was feeling alone or overwhelmed by it all! She believed that when she died she would go straight into the light, to God and his love. You could see these influences in everything she did, and many of you will have seen it in how she was surrounded by her treasured items last night, and here on her casket. Mostly she was a creative spirit, lately her Blog Aisling's Ark was an insight into her difficult journey, which brought comfort, hope, inspiration to all of you who read and followed her. I think in the coming weeks and months we will dip into it again to provide us with some solace and of course a bellyaching laugh or two.
She developed and nurtured lasting and unbreakable friendships here in Ireland and in the States, and these friends rallied around her when she asked for their help. You gave her such happiness when she was in your company. But she was an immense influence on her four older neices and nephew, and in return they worshipped her. She could make them laugh hysterically, do things they wouldn't dream of doing and made them enjoy themselves as she did, with no inhibitions or regrets, a powerful and positive influencer! She longed for the sea, and had a deep connection with Kerry, she spent some of her happiest and most peaceful times there and it always had a strong draw on her to return. She spent a week there in Dec and had some peaceful walks on Derrynane and Rath beaches, she liked to sleep with the window open to allow the wind to blow in! She made a huge impression on the locals and they took her into their arms as a friend which meant so much to her. The kids will always remember the fun times they spent with her in this magical place!
As a Sister, well Aisling was just a DEVIL! She would take your stuff without asking, she'd give you your opinion regularly, and she always had to have the last word! Centre of attention, a Diva, Life and Soul of the Party! On Christmas Eve Aisling was getting a bit confused and kept asking what the time was and when she was getting out to go to Kerry, then out of the blue she turned to Maeve and said, "I don't mean to be difficult but could I have some Champagne!" (Pure DIVA).
We all know Aisling for her bright big passionate personality, but there was another side to her that was gentle and quiet and pure of heart. Aisling was always ruled by her heart, but sometimes she got hurt and tried to rise above the hurt and turn it into love and forgiveness. Her life's work was that search for peace and serenity within and when she passed, after all the pain and hurt she suffered, she achieved her serenity, HER life's goal, our Aisling gheal xxx!
While Aisling's light may have faded recently her star will forever burn bright in the sky, you just can't shade the bright light in our lives that she was. Miriam and Maeve were with her at the end and just before she slipped away all the candles went out in her room, perhaps this was her saying goodbye to her beloved sisters, and her taking some of the light to guide her on the next leg of her journey. I was just short of getting home to her, she knew I was on the way. But on my last flight into Dublin there was a peaceful calm in the sky, I kept looking out for a letter A shaped cloud for her name but didn't see one. Then just as we came into Dublin the clouds parted and the sea was glistening in the sunshine, I spotted two ferries heading East into the sun the lead one was about twice the size of the second, and it made me think that this was Mam and Dad guiding Aisling off into the light across their beloved sea. That was her message to me!
We love you Aisling and will never let you leave our hearts.
Rossa, Miriam, Maeve & family
