Bhí gaoth fhionnuar fómhair ag séideadh tríd na crainn, agus d'fhéach cruthanna scáthacha ar na fallaí taobh amuigh de theach beag gleoite Aisling.

A cool autumn wind was blowing through the trees, and shadowy shapes looked on the walls outside Aisling's cozy little house.

Lá nollachta na marbh ba ea é, nó Oíche Shamhna, ach bhí a thuilleadh le déanamh inniu seachas cnó nó súgradh.

It was Lá na Marbh, or Oíche Shamhna, but there was more to do today than just nuts or play.

Bhí teach Aisling suite sa tír, timpeallaithe ag duilleoga donn agus oráiste.

Aisling's house was situated in the countryside, surrounded by brown and orange leaves.

Lasadh puimcíní taobh amuigh den doras agus bhí tinnealláin ar lasadh istigh.

Pumpkins were lit outside the door, and lanterns were burning inside.

Bhí cuma an-oíche Shamhna air, ach bhí rud níos tromchúisí le phlé.

It had a very Oíche Shamhna feel, but something more serious needed to be discussed.

"Caithfimid iarracht a dhéanamh," a dúirt Aisling, agus í ag cur leis an tábla sa seomra bia mór.

"We must try," said Aisling, setting the table in the large dining room.

Bhí fhios aici go raibh an cruinniú teaghlaigh tábhachtach agus ní raibh an t-atmaisféar éasca.

She knew the family meeting was important, and the atmosphere wasn't easy.

"Caithfimid labhairt lena chéile.

"We must talk to each other."

"Shroich Cormac, a díograiseoir, deasghnáth leis an seomra agus a shúile ag lasadh le hintsint.

Cormac, her dedicated supporter, entered the room, his eyes glowing with insistence.

Cé go raibh sé ceaptha amhrasach, bhí dóchas beag á dhéanamh.

Although he was often skeptical, he was creating a little hope.

"Má éisteann siad liom, beidh níos mó suaimhnis ann," a dúirt sé go ciúin leis féin.

"If they listen to me, there will be more peace," he said quietly to himself.

Chuaigh teaghlaigh isteach sa seomra bia ceann ar cheann, gach duine ag suí timpeall an tábla.

Families entered the dining room one by one, each sitting around the table.

Bhí díomá le brath, chuile dhuine ag súil lena nguth féin a bheith cloiste.

Disappointment was palpable, everyone hoping their voice would be heard.

"Tá an saol garbh," a thosaigh Aisling, a glór ceolmhar á úsáid le cur ina luí orthu.

"Life is tough," began Aisling, using her musical voice to persuade them.

"Tá muid in ann éisteacht lena chéile inniu.

"We can listen to each other today."

"Ach ní raibh sé éasca.

But it wasn't easy.

Thosaigh díospóireacht te nuair a luaigh duine agalladh urchóideach san am atá caite.

A heated debate began when someone mentioned a past hurtful interview.

Sa mhéid sin, bhí bolg na díospóireachta ann—ach níor bhris Aisling a cófra.

In that moment, the belly of the dispute was apparent—but Aisling did not let her composure break.

Thóg Cormac a chroith agus, lena ghlór láidir, labhair sé.

Cormac stood up and, with his strong voice, spoke.

"Tá mé bréan," a dúirt sé, a shúile ag bogadh go tapa.

"I'm tired of this," he said, his eyes darting quickly.

"Ní éisteann sibh riamh liom.

"You never listen to me.

Tuigim go bhfuil fadhbanna ag gach duine, ach tá fadhbanna agam freisin.

I understand that everyone has problems, but I have problems too."

"Bhí cúpla nóiméad tostach ann.

There was a moment of silence.

Ansin, sa chiall seo, thosaigh baill an teaghlaigh ag síneadh chuige.

Then, in this sense, family members began reaching out to him.

D'aithin duine aistreoir na gcoimhlintí dó.

One person recognized the mediator of these conflicts.

"Tá brón orm, Cormac," a dúirt duine, "Ní fhaca muid tú i gceart.

"I'm sorry, Cormac," someone said, "We didn't see you properly."

"B'é deireadh an lae Oíche Shamhna, agus bhí an dá sholas agus tuiscint nua tugtha isteach sa teaghlach.

It was the end of Oíche Shamhna, and both light and new understanding were brought into the family.

Bhí Aisling sásta leis an dul chun cinn.

Aisling was pleased with the progress.

Thuig sí anois go raibh orainn bheith cróga chun fíona a nascadh.

She understood now that we must be brave to forge connections.

Bhí Cormac mothúchánach agus sásta.

Cormac was emotional and happy.

D'éirigh leis rud éigean a chur in iúl gan an oiread sin fearg.

He succeeded in expressing something without so much anger.

Bhí cuimhne i gcroíle bhí síor-athrú.

A memory was etched into a heart of constant change.

Agus trí chiseán gníomh agus éisteacht lenár gcroí, tháinig ar thurgnamh síochana sa teaghlach sin.

And through a basket of action and listening with our hearts, an experiment of peace was achieved in that family.

Bhí muid neart a thabhairt lena chéile, fiú amháin ar lá mar Oíche Shamhna.

We found strength in each other, even on a day like Oíche Shamhna.