Sheila McAdam

My name is Sheila McAdam.  My mam’s name was Sheila.  I wanted to be an air hostess, but I grew too tall.  I was raised in a family of ten in Cork St., Dublin 8 but lost that lovely home to fire.  I have one photo of my entire family of ten, only thing I have from my childhood.  I’ve lived in Tallaght for over 40 years.  Tallaght, back then, had the same smell as Cork St, the smell of Jacobs biscuits.

I talk – a lot!  I sing – a lot!  I love music.  I sing all the old TV adverts to my very young colleagues.  I love being silly with my grandchildren.  I love dancing in the kitchen.  I have read hundreds of books.  My favourite book is ‘I Am Pilgrim’ by Terry Hayes.  I started to read at age seven and have been reading ever since.

I worry.  I worry about my children, my grandchildren, world climate, world and civil wars, going for a walk in the dark.  I wonder why I am here.  I wonder, are there other people out there in space?  I wonder, is there life after death?

I really want to visit South Africa.  It is where I associate all my favourite colours, burnt orange, brown, yellow, gold and blue.  Or Montana, would love to see the mountains there.  Would be fun to meet some real cowboys.

I have found Covid tough.  Songs of Change was a Godsend.  I took the leap and signed up.  A new project full of new people.  I really like people.  I work in customer care which I think suits me.  It provided therapy – fun, so much laughter and many tears but every moment worth it.  To hear Annie Lennox LOUD is beyond exciting.  Obviously, I’m a huge fan of Annie.  To know it encapsulates a lot of my thoughts and feelings is truly special for me.