Tá sé i lár an gheimhridh, agus tá an sneachta ag titim go bog ar an talamh friochtaithe taobh amuigh de Ward Síciatrach Uimh.

It's the middle of winter, and the snow is gently falling on the frosty ground outside @ga{Ward Síciatrach Uimh.

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Tá thart ar dhá lá go Nollaig, agus taobh istigh de na ballaí bána, déanann Niamh iarracht teacht ar phian áirithe dá croí.

It's about two days until Christmas, and inside the white walls, Niamh tries to confront a certain pain in her heart.

Tá an t-aonad glanta agus ciúin ach bhíodh sé buacach le dathanna na Nollag – ba léir na crainn bheaga i ngach cúinne agus na soilse ildaite a d'fhág rian teasa.

The unit is clean and quiet, but it used to be lively with the colors of Christmas – the small trees in every corner and the multicolored lights left a trace of warmth.

Bhí Eoghan agus Aislinn ag súil le chuairt eile.

Eoghan and Aislinn were expecting another visit.

Bhí siad buartha faoi Niamh inniu níos mó ná riamh.

They were more worried about Niamh today than ever.

Bhí a fhios ag Aislinn, in ainneoin a cuid iarracht, nach raibh gach rud ceart.

Aislinn knew, despite her efforts, that not everything was right.

Bhí braon anál a raibh is ionann frustrachas agus brón le mothú inti.

She had a breath that was a mix of frustration and sadness.

Tháinig Eoghan isteach sa seomra le bríste sneachta clúdaithe, ag croitheadh as a ghruaig.

Eoghan came into the room with snow-covered pants, shaking it off his hair.

"Dia dhuit, Niamh," ar sé go croíúil.

"Hello, Niamh," he said warmly.

Shuigh sé síos in aice le Niamh, agus bhreathnaigh sí air leis na súile domhain, ar nós comhartha ag lorg treo.

He sat down next to Niamh, and she looked at him with deep eyes, like a signal searching for direction.

"Tá brón orm, Eoghan," dúirt sí go ciúin, a guth briste ach pacásaithe le tnúthán.

"I'm sorry, Eoghan," she said quietly, her voice broken but packed with longing.

"Sílim go bhfuil mé ag séideadh faoin bhfoirgneamh seo, mar a bhíonn tú ag súil le rud éigin atá chomh fada uainn ar fad.

"I feel like I'm disappearing under this building, like waiting for something that's so far away from us all."

"D'fhéach Eoghan faoina cuid focail doimhin, ag cinntiú nach raibh aon bhrú le mothú.

Eoghan absorbed her deep words, ensuring no pressure was felt.

"A Niamh, ní gá duit a mhíniú duit féin.

"Oh Niamh, you don't need to explain yourself.

Is tusa mo dheirfiúr, is cuma cén áit a bhfuil tú.

You are my sister, no matter where you are.

Níl tú le haon ghá le bheith i d'aonar.

You don't need to be alone."

"Tar éis dóibh cúpla focail a roinnt, bhris amach rud éigin iontach idir an beirt díobh.

After sharing a few words, something wonderful broke out between the two of them.

Bhí sé cosúil le bord beagán eile aatsuithe ag giotaí beaga solais agus teas na gcomhráite.

It was like a small board rekindled with bits of light and warmth from the conversations.

Ag an am sin, tháinig Aislinn isteach leis an eucharist maisithe le lámha istigh agus grianmhair.

At that moment, Aislinn came in with the eucharist decorated with sunshine in her hands.

"Níl mé cinnte an maith leat é seo, a stór," dúirt sí, ag cur crann beag ar fhoirneol.

"I'm not sure if you'll like this, dear," she said, placing a small tree on the table.

Ghlac Niamh greim foscadh ar an radharc.

Niamh took refuge in the sight.

"Mam," d'fhreagair sí, a croí ag bogadh isteach ina focal, "tá sé sin níos mó ná mar a shamhlú mé féin.

"Mom," she replied, her heart moving into her words, "it's more than I ever imagined for myself."

"Chinn Niamh sa chaoi is go mbeadh sí ag caint go fírinneach lena deartháir faoi na rudaí a gcuireann eagla uirthi.

Niamh decided to speak openly to her brother about the things that frightened her.

Bhí Eoghan fial agus tuisceanach, faoi dheireadh iontach a bheith in ann cabhrú léi a croí a oscailt.

Eoghan was generous and understanding, finally delighted to help her open her heart.

Bhí spéis ag Aislinn a cgabh chur i bhfeidhm beagán geanúlacht na Nollag isteach san áit, le súil nach ndéanfaidh sé brón gan bhaint amach.

Aislinn was keen to introduce a little Christmas affection into the place, hoping it would not further sadness.

Mar a tháinig an oíche roimh an Nollaig, labhair Niamh faoi eagla agus dóchas, ag briseadh síos le déine na mothúchán.

As the night before Christmas came, Niamh spoke of fear and hope, breaking down with the intensity of emotions.

Dúirt Eoghan agus Aislinn léi i guthanna ciúin ach diongbháilte gur breá leo í faoi chuile dhóigh, gur féidir í a bheith aici i gcónaí sa tslí chuí.

Eoghan and Aislinn assured her in quiet yet determined voices that they loved her in every way and that she could always find her place.

An lá Nollag féin, thosaigh an teaghlach beag íseal dícheallach ann, ag roinnt bronntanais shimplí agus scéalta a lorg cialla.

On Christmas Day itself, the small family diligently came together, exchanging simple gifts and stories that carried meaning.

Cé go raibh sé neamhfhoirfe, bhí rian áthais agus fíorthuismitheoireachta ina chompord.

Although imperfect, there was a trace of joy and true warmth in their comfort.

Mothaíodh athrú aníos laistigh de Niamh, comhartha deontach go raibh sí níos lú uaigneach ná a braithfeadh sí riamh.

An uplift was felt within Niamh, a sure sign that she felt less alone than she ever thought she would.

Bhog Eoghan agus Aislinn chomh maith leis an tuiscint ar bhealach níos fearr le cumarsáid a dhéanamh lena leanbh, Í Niamh.

Eoghan and Aislinn also moved with a better understanding of how to communicate with their child, Niamh.

Bhí a dtuairimí agus a bhfeitheamh ina lóistín níos mó ná riamh.

Their hopes and expectations became more grounded than ever.

Gan peirspictíocht a athrú go hiomlán, d'fhás an cheangal a bhí idircht le natha go maith, mar spiorad Nollag ag tintreach an uaignis.

Without completely changing perspective, the bond between them grew well, like the Christmas spirit illuminating the loneliness.