My first tattoo honoring Sorcha and NEDA

I know it has been some months since Sorcha has passed, but I have not stopped thinking about her since I heard the news. I was with Sorcha at ERC and we both were there for almost the same amount of time. She was one of the first people I talked to that time around. She was such a smart, caring, and funny person and I miss her everyday. I remember helping her through one of her feeds and we played cards at the nurses station to help her through it. She was so fun to talk to and such a sweet friend. All I wanted was for her to be free from this terrible illness, and once she left, and I left soon after, I did not stop thinking about her for 3 years. I came back to ERC Texas for a third time on December 26th. When I found out about her passing 5 days later. I was heartbroken, devastated. I had no words and felt so lost. I always hoped that she would be ok, and we went through a lot of similar things when we were together. I know now that she is no longer suffering but I still think about her all the time and wish she were here with us. One of my favorite memories with her was when she offered to push me down the hall in my wheelchair... We were going so fast and we both had smiles ear to ear as we are racing down the hall :) I am still at ERC fighting for myself, but especially for her, she deserved it more than anyone. Every time I have a hard time connecting to my feeds, I think about her smile and how she motivated me to keep trying, I know I need to recover for myself, but I always think about the life that Sorcha deserved to live and fought so hard for... so I'm fighting for you Sorcha. I love you and miss you every day.

Sorcha trying to scare her parents

Sorcha and friends at Gaia Girls

Dear Deirdre, Aoife and Sam,

I receive your news with great sorrow and shock. While we have not been in touch since the precious Gaia Girls days, all of you hold a special place in my mamma heart. We were raising our girls side by side in a world that still fails them. I want you to know I take part in your sorrow and mourning and wish I was there just to sit with you. I have such sweet memories of Sorcha participating in building fires, foraging wild food, sitting with her thoughts and a handmade journal, perhaps under a tree, by a stream. They were so blessed with those times. Please know we are here in San Diego should your paths ever lead you down here. For now, we will light our candles and send our blessings when the sun sets over the evening sky. Dear family, we are so incredibly sorry for your loss. Sending all of our warmth, love and strength to help carry you through. Love, Emilia and Stephen, Atlas, Aili and Elias

We had a small memorial in Dublin on Feb 22nd. I put these few items in the room where we gathered to eat, chat, and sing: some ashes in the small wooden urn in the center of the picture; a paper-mâché softball she made which sits in her first-ever softball mitt; playing cards; beaded bracelets; a toy black cat representing our cat, Tulip; and photographs. She often felt forgotten by the world, so I think she would have been happy to see us there, remembering.

Sending your family all of our love.  Amy, Ross and Elsa Talarico. 

My condolences to Sorcha's family. I first met Sorcha when I was at Walden and we would often play card games, we use to play kings corner, James bound, and of course we always did diamond art in the time I was able to spend with Sorcha well at Walden she taught me so much. She was so smart, kind, and just all around a great friend. I miss her so much we were great friends. And when I found out she hade passed I was still at Walden it broke my heart. I was just so upset, she deserved to be here on this earth and not be in pain or suffering. She deserved to live a happy and full life. I miss her dearly and will never let her be forgotten. She will forever be in my heart and thoughts. 

In 2020 we had an early season cold storm pass through around Thanksgiving. Dropped 2 - 3 ft of snow. I talked Sorcha into an overnight snowy snowshoe trip. (Aoife & Deirdre were a hard no.). So off we went to Castle Peak (this is near where the recent avalanche was.)

We had a great time. I think we were a bit cold overnight because I forgot you need two sleeping pads on the snow, and our stove was a bit balky because I didn’t have the cold weather gas. I thought next time I’ll remember these things. Sadly this was the only time.

Being sad that’s she gone is natural and normal. 

Sorcha and I would play crazy eights countdown style and listen to music when I’d visit. I’m so sorry that I didn’t do more for her.   She was right when she said it’s not good enough.

Murphy & McMahon Visit hometown Portmarnock, Ireland

Murphy & McMahon Visit hometown Portmarnock, Ireland

Murphy & McMahon Visit hometown Portmarnock, Ireland — with Deirdre Murphy and Siobhan Sleater McMahon

Deirdre, Sam and Aoife,

Myself, Joey, Amymae, Luke and Zoe were so sad to hear the news about Sorcha's passing.

As parents of twins ourselves and knowing the tight bond our two have with each other, I can only imagine how Aoife is doing.

Deirdre and I are childhood friends from Portmarnock, Dublin and lived across the road from each other. The first time we met the girls, Sorcha and Aoife were about 3 years old, my kids girl/boy twins and older girl was about 5 and 7 years old respectively.

My 3 kids loved the girls and got on very well during their Irish visit. They nick named Sorcha and Aoife "the bubbly water girls" as they wanted some bubbly water/sparking/soda water and my 3 got a great kick out of it.❤️

Roll on to 2019, Deirdre and I arranged to come back home to Ireland at the same time, Deirdre from the States and myself from Australia and spent some lovely quality time together with the girls comparing notes on life, kids and the challenges of moving to a new continent.

The photo below is from 2019 with my 2 girls, Amymae and Zoe and Sorcha and Aoife.

Our thoughts are with you all. 💔😘

Jan 26, 2016 - exactly 10 years ago today when I was visiting

Dear Deirdre, Sam and Aoife, We are so sorry to hear of your heartbreaking loss. We have lovely memories of Sorcha at Plymouth, her bright eyes and creative spirit. She was a sweet friend to Isa. We are holding Sorcha and all her beloved family and friends close to our hearts and sending you so much love and strength. We haven't been in touch in a long time, but we are here for you and standing alongside you. With all our love, Mona, Yan, Isa and Nia