Photo was taken early Sunday morning (4.40a.m) at Tooreenbawn, Millstreet, Co.Cork (Irl)

The first new born calf on any farm is always a welcome sight and a reminder that spring is just around the corner. This little beauty was only minutes old when I took it but already was adjusting to its new world in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Thought on Monday – January – 23/01/2012

Two Irish and Egyptian villages separated by 4000km have been united in grief and solidarity by the ‘Tit Bonhomme’ trawler tragedy. ~ Ralf Riegel

The loss of 5 fishermen off the west Cork coastline when their trawler sank after hitting rocks near Union Hall, has touched an entire nation and beyond. The huge search all week for the bodies has been touching and moving. Three bodies have been recovered so far and the search continues today for more news and hopefully closure for the waiting families. The community support, the number of people willing to search the shoreline for bodies, the offers of help from near and far, the food and refreshments that have been made available, are all signs of a community united in grief. Prayers have been said and words of comfort spoken to help heartbroken friends and families. Somehow and somewhere in the midst of this terribly sad story, the whispers of God’s gentle presence can be found. It is normal to feel abandoned by God during tragic stories. But on so many occasions like the one unfolding in Union Hall, we do our best to pick up the bits and pieces and fall out from the tragedy. Somewhere in the middle of it we will find God helping us along too. We pray today for those who have died in this tragic fishing tragedy. We pray for their heartbroken families and for so many who have helped share the burden of pain, in a way that has touched and moved so many more.