My name is Michelle Stafford. I am 48 years old. I wasn’t born, but was certainly bred and buttered in Clondalkin.
I was 44 and in recovery, two weeks post-mastectomy, when I jumped out of the bed one Saturday morning (without explanation to anyone at home) and headed to Áras Chrónáin in Clondalkin to participate in a workshop with Veronica and Debra for a project initially known as Clamour and Roar which eventually went on to become Ghost Hares. I didn’t know it at the time, but that morning was to lead on to so many other Saturdays spent in the company of strangers who eventually became friends. Since then, we have gone on to form many splinter groups and have enjoyed each other’s company, both virtually and in real life.
That first Saturday in Áras Chrónáin, I arrived with very little hair on my head, and was delighted to see that Veronica gave me a run for my money in that department. As the months went by my hair grew back and I’d a lovely head of Shirley Temple’esque curls by the time we performed Ghost Hares in The Civic over the May Bank Holiday weekend 2019. Let’s just say, I won’t be winning any awards for my performances over the three nights, but it was the whole experience of working together, listening to each other’s stories and for me, meeting new people who didn’t know me pre-sickness and forming a common bond with them that made the whole experience so rewarding.
I jumped at the chance to sign on for Songs of Change when Veronica got in touch. Ten weeks over Zoom writing haikus based around memories evoked by colours. I don’t remember too much about the process as my health again became an issue. I am back to looking like the baldy woman who walked into Áras Chrónáin on that Spring morning in 2018. The difference this time is I have more living and loving under my belt. I have surprised myself in the past in what I could achieve. I definitely include Ghost Hares in that. So, I face this experience with an open mind and a fuller heart.