Watch Caroline's story above
“Mine is definitely a story of City Chic to Country Chic.” Originally from London but born to Irish parents, Caroline Murphy came to Ireland for six months and has never left. “I never expected my move to Ireland to end up where it has, I never expected to stay, then I met my husband and that was it. It is a big thing moving to a new country, even though I knew Ireland well but coming to live here is very different but it is one of the best things I ever did.”
In 2009, Caroline was pregnant with her fourth child, it was a very busy time in her life and things were going well but at 27 weeks Caroline couldn’t feel any moments and was told her daughter Leah was gone. “I was devastated, we were all devastated, I couldn’t get myself up. I had a choice, here was this dark place where my daughter Leah was and I desperately wanted to go there, but I still had my kids, my family so I was at a crossroads for some time. I eventually chose the rest of my life. I grew a mind set where I thought, if this doesn’t break me, then nothing will.”
Caroline, who is married to a dairy farmer, bought some hens, which was the beginning of a whole new journey that she never expected. “From those 4 hens I grew a free range egg business and we now have over 3,000 free range hens and I supply stores all over Cork. It has been fantastic and has hugely helped me grow in confidence, my capabilities and what I can achieve.”
Caroline believes she is stronger now than she has ever been and encourages everyone in her situation to follow their own journey “There is no hard and fast rules, you are never, ever going to get over losing a child, not a day goes by when I don’t think about Leah or pray to her or ask her for help, even simple things like asking her where are my keys and then they appear. Sometimes you just feel that extra person in the room. Don’t feel guilty about smiling again, or speaking your child’s name again or learning to be happy again.”
Inspiring women from all over Ireland tell RSVP their story #yourbestlife
“After I lost her, I just wanted what I had lost but now I realise what I have. This is what gets me up in the morning, to be the best mum, the best wife, the best sister, the daughter, the best friend, that I can be. Why would you want to be anything else.”
Read more of #yourbestlife stories - here.
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