It’s easy to think it's spring when the days begin to get sunny and a warm breeze wafts over your skin.

Not as easy when hailstones are bopping off your hat and coat. But that has been the extremes of weather this past week in Donegal.

I spent a good deal of time looking after my parents as they got older. And sometimes (because of the particular time and situation) it used to seem as if it had been going on since forever. I know that I am exaggerating as I say that. Because I never lived with them when they got older. I might stay for a night or two, and then come and go.

So, while I carried out this ‘job’ many times whinging and complaining a lot, the time came when I learned to accept it, and yes embrace it.

God comes to meet us is a well-known phrase of Pope Francis. With no mass or religious ceremonies over the Easter period, it can feel as if I cannot go to meet Him. How can we make the most of the end of Lent and Easter? Holy Week provides us with an opportunity to do precisely that.

As we suffer together in lockdown, it may be hard to see the reason behind it all. What is God's plan in all this? How can I accept this plan if it is a source of suffering for me or for those I love?

There’s nothing quite like a good night’s sleep. You waken well-rested and ready to face the day’s challenge. Yet sometimes the effort of trying to get a good night’s sleep can tire us out; plumping pillows… right room temperature… no screens before bed…warm milk…soothing app…good book (but not too good).

I don’t think I’m alone in being thankful that 2020 is finally over and feeling that there’s an even deeper sense of hope and relief with the beginning of this new year.