Celebrating Samhain with a Complex Child

Canann Badb.
feannóg guth
Garbh agus amh.
Canann Badb.
Tagann an gheimhridh
i sioc agus scáth.
Canann Badb

“Badb speaks
a crow’s voice
rough and raw
Badb speaks
winter arrives
in frost and shadow
Badb speaks”

I wrote the above poem this morning as I listened to a crow calling to me, perched on a tree outside my window. Today is the beginning of my three day celebration of Samhain, and tonight belongs especially to the daoine maith, the Good People. I’ve written several times over the years about how my family celebrates Samhain and about the history of the holiday so today I decided I want to tackle a more personal topic, that is celebrating this holiday with a child who has complex medical issues.

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