“I AM ME: The Donal Walsh Story” is Elma Walsh’s emotional telling of her beautiful late son’s story. In a recent conversation with Elma, she kindly shared her reflections on writing about Donal’s life.
When it was first suggested to Elma that she might consider writing, she felt that Donal’s message was widely known, his story already told. And while true, Elma also considered how, through her and her husband Fionnbar’s work with the #LiveLife Foundation, Donal’s message has continued over thirteen years to reach teenagers and children too young to know his message until it is brought into their lives. And so she envisaged a book which could give something to everyone - but in particular to young people. Something which would reach into their hearts and open them to the message of faith and trust in God.
For Elma, putting pen to paper first needed prayer. With a structure in place, the words followed quickly. ‘The story was short, just as Donal’s life was. Not many chapters in his sixteen years, not the usual twists and turns’. Elma’s remarks pierced the conversation, opening up an honesty and sincerity in a first-time meeting in the very same way Donal’s truthfulness in his RTÉ interview with Brendan O’Connor bore deeply into the hearts of a nation he’d never met.
“I AM ME” retells the message of that powerful interview. But it also unfolds the story since Donal’s death. The tender testimonials of cousins, friends and coaches tell of the impact – of belief, hope, love, relationship, value, trust and faith. They are raw and unedited as Elma wished them to be.
They reflect the truth which Donal understood and shared. A truth witnessed openly by others around that kitchen table overlooking the mountains. Donal lived this truth in many beautiful ways, but principally through his request to receive, each day, the Body of Christ broken at the Lord’s Table. This was the Table which ultimately prepared him.
The deepening of his faith is pivotal in the story Elma shares. Donal loved to pray the Rosary. He had favourite prayers. Some he liked simply because they were shorter than others. Perhaps it was that he could say more of them - for he was committed to strengthening himself spiritually as his body weakened. Or perhaps a short prayer gave him more time to rest in the presence of God.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph bring forth my soul in peace with you.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commit my spirit.
May Donal’s soul rest in eternal peace.
Elma's book is available for purchase in Holy Cross Mass Office.
