Bhí an gheimhreadh ag teacht go trom ar an gclós lasmuigh den ospidéal síciatrach.

Winter was descending heavily on the yard outside the psychiatric hospital.

Bhí solas éadrom na gealaí geimhridh ag scinneadh faoi na fuinneoga iarainn ar an urlár.

The pale light of the winter moon was glimmering beneath the iron windows on the floor.

Bhí Siobhán, altra chomhbhách, ina seasamh ag an deasc le cúram faoi na hothair óna Nollaig féin.

Siobhán, a compassionate nurse, was standing at the desk with care for her patients instead of focusing on her own Christmas.

Bhí bratacha na hAthbhliana ag crochadh ar fud na seomraí, iarracht bheag chun an áit a théamh.

New Year’s decorations were hanging throughout the rooms, a small attempt to warm the place.

Is beag an fhoireann a bhí ann inniu toisc an lá saoire.

There was little staff today due to the holiday.

Bhí an méid oibre ag cur brú ar Siobhán, ach bhí fonn uirthi sólás a thabhairt dá hothair.

The amount of work was putting pressure on Siobhán, but she was eager to offer comfort to her patients.

Bhí sí ar a coimeád aici féin freisin, brón síoraí diúltaithe ag dul i bhfeidhm uirthi le míonna anuas.

She was also keeping an eye on herself, as an eternal sorrow of rejection had been affecting her for months.

Chinn Siobhán rud difriúil a dhéanamh.

Siobhán decided to do something different.

Thug sí na hothair le chéile le chéile chun gníomhaíocht spraíúil a dhéanamh.

She gathered the patients together to engage in a fun activity.

"Déanfaimid cártaí na hAthbhliana," ar sí leo, ag iarraidh suim a bhaint astu.

"Let’s make New Year’s cards," she said to them, trying to pique their interest.

Chuir sé brón uirthi roinnt nanáthar a bheith uaigneach ar lá mar seo.

It saddened her that some of them were lonely on a day like this.

Fionn, othar a raibh fadhbanna móra aige, bhí ina shuí ar thaobh an seomra.

Fionn, a patient who had significant issues, was sitting on the side of the room.

Go minic, b'fhéidir go rabhais go róchiúin, ach bhí maon dobhrónach air inniu.

Often, he might have been too quiet, but today he had a brooding expression.

Thosaigh sé ag tarraingt línte le peann luaidhe ar chupán páipéir.

He started drawing lines with a pencil on a paper cup.

Le himeacht aimsire, thosaigh sé ag labhairt le cúramach leis an ngrúpa.

Over time, he began to speak cautiously with the group.

"Tá mo bhlianta caite i gruaim," a mhaigh sé, a ghlór bog go hiontach.

"I have spent my years in gloom," he claimed, his voice surprisingly gentle.

"Ach tú, Siobhán, tá tú go maith liom."

"But you, Siobhán, you are kind to me."

Agus ansin, go tobann, bhí an seomra líonta le geasa bréagsúnúla.

And then, suddenly, the room was filled with sparks of unexpected magic.

Bhí cuidiú thar a bheith simplí ag obair ina míorúilt.

A simple act of helping was working wonders.

Fonn éadrom ag cur ar Siobhán, bronn sé áthas uirthi.

A light-hearted feeling arose in Siobhán, bestowing joy upon her.

Bhain an sos beag teolaí din a mbraitheann na hothair amach mar ghearradh isteach íona duit.

The warm little break allowed the patients to feel as if they were cutting through the isolation.

Bhí foireann ann arís le barróg sóláis.

The staff was embraced by comfort once again.

Tar éis an chruinniú, chonaic Siobhán litir bheag ó Aisling, comhghleacaí aici.

After the meeting, Siobhán noticed a small note from Aisling, a colleague.

“Más maith leat teacht chugainn tar éis an tseal,” a bhí scríofa, “chun béile beag a roinnt in éineacht.

"If you’d like to come to us after your shift," it read, "to share a small meal together.

Ní féidir le daoine caoin mar thú a bheith gan chomhluadar."

Kind people like you shouldn’t be without company."

Sa nóiméad sin, thuig Siobhán go raibh sí cneasta agus nach raibh aonair.

In that moment, Siobhán realized she was kind and not alone.

Bhí a cuid bróin ag tuileadh amach mar eas, agus í á théamh le grá nua-shásta agus cairdeas dothine.

Her sorrows were pouring out like a waterfall, warming her with newfound love and enduring friendship.

Bhí an Geimhreadh fós cruaibuí, ach bhí teannas solais a bhí cóirithe ag siúl isteach sa saol.

Winter was still harsh, but a gentle light was gradually walking into life.