What springs to mind when you think of your childhood? Childhood memories are little pieces of the past that stay with us forever. By the Grace of God, my childhood was a happy one. However, not all childhoods are free from pain. An Cailín Ciúin, an Irish language film directed by Colm Bairéad and based on Clare Keegan’s novella Foster, captures the fragile beauty of childhood while showing a child’s perspective of a fallen world marred by neglect, loss and suffering
The story is told through the eyes of 9-year-old Cáit, a withdrawn and neglected child who is sent to live with distant relatives, Eibhlín and Seán, for the summer. Cáit silent wounds inflicted by neglect are shown through simple gestures – her dirty feet upon arrival, her father forgetting her suitcase and her tendency to run away from school. While Eibhlín and Séan are grieving the loss of their own child, they show Cáit true care and love simply by washing her hair, serving her a proper meal and speaking to her patiently. These scenes carry an intense emotional weight.
At the heart of the film, we see our story as Irish people: North and South. The use of Irish language and the film’s quiet unspoken nature adds a cultural depth native to Ireland. An Cailín Ciúin speaks to the Irish psyche because, as a nation, we are all too familiar with the scars of church hurt, child abuse and neglect scandals that continue in silence. Our hearts break at the thought of another child, experiencing neglect yet again. Our anger is justified, and our tears are warranted.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of such brokenness. But, as Christians, how can we comprehend God’s grace in all of this? We don’t have a God who leaves us to suffer. We have a God who is the “Suffering Servant”. Jesus is not far removed from us – He knows our pain and, in every way, suffers with us, even with Cáit. Our dóchas (hope) is in Jesus, who will wipe away every tear from our eyes. Our dóchas is that one day, we will no longer have to live in a fallen world. We will not return to a dysfunctional family. We will not have to run up the drive, as Cáit does, longing for her relatives to take her away again. One day, every nation, tribe and tongue will be reunited to Christ and will know Him fully. For all those who trust in Jesus and his saving work on the Cross – we can rest knowing our dóchas is secure in Jesus. We don’t have to return home after the summer as Cáit did; but instead, we will dwell with Jesus forever
Written by Charlotte, Galway Relay Worker
