Ireland owes Vicky Phelan so much

The cervical cancer campaigner gave so much to this country, to the women of Ireland, and to women's healthcare.

She used her short life to fight, raise awareness, and make Ireland a better country for the women of today and future generations.

She inspired and influenced so many of us, but the best thing Vicky Phelan taught me was to embrace the everyday moments.

A few years ago, I wrote a piece about the things that matter most. Vicky inspired the piece after she posted on Instagram about enjoying the little things.

The mum had spent the day with her son, doing simple things like helping him with homework and playing Wordle. It wasn't anything grand or exciting. There was no lavish setting or fancy event. It was simple. It was what mattered most.

After the piece was published, Vicky left a comment that has stuck with me ever since.

She told me, "Not enough of us take enjoyment from the little things. We rush through them, waiting for the bigger things to come along.

"I am as guilty of this myself in my pre-cancer rat race days, when I was trying to climb the career ladder and thought that happiness would come when I got there.

"It's a load of shite! We can all find happiness NOW by really taking the time to enjoy simple, everyday moments."

They're moments she should've experienced for many years to come, but ones that were stolen from her because of the Cervical Check scandal.

Vicky added, "That's what I have learned on this journey, and I am so glad if my sharing this will help others."

We need to honour Vicky's words by being grateful for the little things, paying attention to them, and seeing them for what they really are, the most important moments of all.

It's so easy for us to overlook them. As Vicky said, many of us are too busy focusing on the rat race and waiting for momentous occasions to come our way.

However, it's the little things that make our lives worth living. These are the moments that Vicky made the most of before her untimely passing.

They're moments she should've experienced for many years to come, but ones that were stolen from her because of the Cervical Check scandal.

We can honour her legacy by making the most of these everyday moments.

Thank you, Vicky, for helping me and so many others appreciate the everyday moments. Ireland will forever be indebted to you.