Bhí sé Nollaig na mBan, agus leanadh tinneas beag an Aistir Nollag fós i sráidbhaile beag tuaithe in Éirinn.

It was Nollaig na mBan, and the small illness of the Aistir Nollag still lingered in a small rural village in Ireland.

Bhí Caoimhe agus Eoghan ag siúl lena máthair go dtí an halla paróiste, áit a raibh stáisiún vótála eagraithe.

Caoimhe and Eoghan were walking with their mother to the parish hall, where a polling station was organized.

An sneachta éadrom a chlúdaigh na sráideanna, ag meascadh le h-oighear anseo is ansiúd, ag cuir fuacht breise isteach sa gheimhreadh.

The light snow covered the streets, mixing with ice here and there, adding extra chill to the winter.

Bhí an halla paróiste compordach taobh istigh, agus bhraith cumhrán na gcoinnle agus an fheachtais Nollag a bhí thart le déanaí fós san aer.

The parish hall was comfortable inside, and the fragrance of the candles and the recent Christmas festivities still lingered in the air.

Bhí go leor de na comharsana bailithe ann, ag malartú beannachtaí i ndiaidh na saoire.

Many of the neighbors had gathered there, exchanging greetings after the holiday.

Rinne Caoimhe greim cruaíonn ar lámh seargnite a máthar, ag déanamh cinnte de nach sciorradh sí ar an urlár oighear.

Caoimhe held firmly onto her mother's withered hand, making sure she wouldn't slip on the icy floor.

"Feicimid cé chomh tábhachtach is atá sé," arsa Caoimhe, ag iarraidh cumhacht an vóta a chur i gcuimhne dá máthair.

"We see how important it is," said Caoimhe, trying to remind her mother of the power of the vote.

"Is é ár dtír, ár dtraidisiúin.

"It's our country, our traditions.

Tá sé tábhachtach.

It's important."

"D'fhéach Eoghan timpeall, agus bhi sé soiléir agus sásta leis an lucht a bhí anonn is anall.

Eoghan looked around, clearly pleased with the bustling crowd.

Bhí fuinneamh suaimhneach air.

A relaxed energy surrounded him.

"Tá sé tábhachtach, ceart go leor, Caoimhe," ar sé go réidh, ag tarraingt ar aighneas chun a dheirféar ag gáire.

"It is important, alright, Caoimhe," he said gently, drawing his sister into laughter.

"Ach, déanaimid mise mar an 'ballot box ninja' eile, ceart?

"But, let's make me the next 'ballot box ninja', right?

Tóg ar an ngreim greann beag anuas fosta.

Add a bit of humor into it too."

"Chroith Caoimhe a ceann agus ghabh sí a caint, "Eoghan, nach dtuigeann tú rud ar bith dáiríre?

Caoimhe shook her head and continued speaking, "Eoghan, don't you really understand anything?"

" B'eol di go raibh Eoghan seoil aige, agus cé go mbeadh sé ina chasán uaireanta, ghlac sí a gháire sa deireadh.

She knew her brother was playful, and although he could be annoying at times, she accepted his humor in the end.

Nuair a bhí siad ag an mboth vótála, thosaigh a máthair ag aithint éigean go tobann.

When they reached the voting booth, their mother suddenly recalled something.

"Do chuimhnigh tú go maith," arsa sí, ag breathnú isteach i súile chuimhneacháin de bhabhta a d'aon uair amháin le hathair na bpáistí.

"You remembered it well," she said, gazing into the memories of an occasion once shared with the children's father.

"Is cuimhin liom Conradh na Gaeilge go háirithe, i measc ár ngléasaí, as dáinséar!

"I especially remember Conradh na Gaeilge, among our gear, from danger!"

"Chuir an boladh beag bídeach ón ngleann lena súile in airde.

The faint scent from the glen lifted her spirits.

Tháinig meandar na cistní feasa uirthi.

A moment of insightful recollection came over her.

D'fhéach na leanaí ar a chéile.

The children exchanged glances.

An am sin, bhí tuiscint nuachóirithe acu.

At that time, they had a refreshed understanding.

"Is maith liom an aisling a bhí rómhat féin mar sin," arsa Caoimhe, boige athsheolta sna súile.

"I like the dream you had before that," said Caoimhe, a gentle repeat in her eyes.

"I dtáibhreamh an tsaoil," d'athdhearbhaigh Eoghan, ag pléanadh leis an ceist.

"In the dream of life," reaffirmed Eoghan, pondering over the question.

Chríochnaigh votáil, Caoimhe ag treorú a máthar as an doras, tógfaidh sí domhain anáil, ag tuiscint gur theip ar a céimithe éadrócaire ach go raibh an gáire taobh istigh tableacht fiú chomh maith.

Voting finished, Caoimhe guided their mother out the door, taking a deep breath, understanding that although her optimism sometimes failed, the smile inside was worth it.

"Seans gur féidir le beagán greann an aimsir a athrú, tar éis an tsaoil," arsa sí le gár fhíor, "ach is mó atá ar a dtoil i do sheisean do bheith, Eoghan, le tusa.

"Perhaps a bit of humor can change the weather, after all," she said with a genuine laugh, "but mostly it's your knack, Eoghan, for being as you are."

"Chuir a deartháir lámh ar a gualainn, ag soilsiú le cruth aighnis nua.

Her brother put a hand on her shoulder, lighting up with a new sense of friendliness.

"Agus is maith mar sin," d'fhreagair Eoghan le gean, "líonann an dúthracht sin tú go maith.

"And that's good," Eoghan replied affectionately, "that dedication fills you well.

Tá bród orm mar leithéad.

I'm proud of you for that."

"Bhíodh an sneachta ag pábháil an talamh, ach bhí an bhroinn te ag an mbeirt deartháireacha agus a máthair, ag dul abhaile leis an ngrian ag dul faoi, ag tabhairt deireadh nach raibh chomh halbannach san ivéartocht sin.

The snow continued to pave the ground, but warmth was in the hearts of the two siblings and their mother as they went home with the sun setting, bringing an end that wasn't so harsh to that wintry day.

Trí cheiliúradh na foghlama, d'fhoghlaim an bheirt faoi cheangal orthu féin agus an tomhas grámhar a shnáithógann áitrithe sa tíre mhóir.

Through the celebration of learning, the two learned about the bond they shared and the loving assessment that ties the inhabitants in the great country.