GRATITUDExMILLION
Stories of Gratitude
Mary Kelleher
Mississauga, Ontario
My mother was the most wonderful woman in the world. She was extremely wise for a woman with limited schooling who lived out in the country. She encouraged me to study and work hard in school, as she knew it would benefit me later in life. I don’t know how she found the money to enroll me in the convent school, but she did, ensuring I would have a better education than the commercial school. The St. Louis nuns were very strict but incredibly knowledgeable teachers. They taught me the in-depth particulars of various subjects like History, English, Religion, and Domestic Economy—things I wouldn’t have learned at the regular school.
Upon graduating, I had a job waiting for me in Dublin with the Civil Service. When I dreamt about my life, I didn’t see myself working in an office, so I asked my mother if I could travel to England and train to be a nurse. I’ll never forget what she said: “If that’s what you want to do, I won’t stop you.” Had she not supported my dreams, I would have taken the job in Dublin, and my life would have been completely different.
I often think of my poor mother dropping me off at the train station to travel to Dublin, and then by boat to England. I was only 18 years old, and my mother wouldn’t know if I had arrived safely for weeks—until a letter could be delivered and ease her concerns. I can’t imagine how much she must have worried about me, but her faith was so strong, and I know she put her trust in God.
We would write letters back and forth. I would tell her how stressed I was about my exams, and she would reply, writing that she was praying for me and lighting blessed candles.
I thank her for that every day, as I worked as a nurse for over 40 years, which gave me the opportunity to travel to Canada and start a new life and family.
I’m so grateful to my mother for allowing me to leave home, become a nurse, travel to Canada, and build a new life. She never had a phone but was a beautiful letter writer and prayed for me her whole life. She passed peacefully in her own home at the age of 87. She was an amazing mother, and I know she is up in heaven watching over me. I wouldn’t be the person I am today or have the life I have today without my mother, Mary Kate Conlon.
Upon graduating, I had a job waiting for me in Dublin with the Civil Service. When I dreamt about my life, I didn’t see myself working in an office, so I asked my mother if I could travel to England and train to be a nurse. I’ll never forget what she said: “If that’s what you want to do, I won’t stop you.” Had she not supported my dreams, I would have taken the job in Dublin, and my life would have been completely different.
I often think of my poor mother dropping me off at the train station to travel to Dublin, and then by boat to England. I was only 18 years old, and my mother wouldn’t know if I had arrived safely for weeks—until a letter could be delivered and ease her concerns. I can’t imagine how much she must have worried about me, but her faith was so strong, and I know she put her trust in God.
We would write letters back and forth. I would tell her how stressed I was about my exams, and she would reply, writing that she was praying for me and lighting blessed candles.
I thank her for that every day, as I worked as a nurse for over 40 years, which gave me the opportunity to travel to Canada and start a new life and family.
I’m so grateful to my mother for allowing me to leave home, become a nurse, travel to Canada, and build a new life. She never had a phone but was a beautiful letter writer and prayed for me her whole life. She passed peacefully in her own home at the age of 87. She was an amazing mother, and I know she is up in heaven watching over me. I wouldn’t be the person I am today or have the life I have today without my mother, Mary Kate Conlon.
ABOUT ME
Seamus Kelleher is a former educator and coach who has spent over two decades helping students discover their potential, manage their emotions, and live with purpose. As a playwright and director, he has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to inspire growth, resilience, and leadership in others, and now shares his message through authentic storytelling and life lessons.
GRATITUDExMILLION
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