Bernard Branagan lost his beloved wife Zipporah, the mum of their seven sons, in April
Zipporah Branagan, pictured with her husband Bernard, died suddenly in April
A grieving husband who lost his beloved wife and mother of their seven children suddenly has opened up on the devastating loss and how he is dedicating himself to raising his young family.
Zipporah Branagan, a beauty salon owner from Clonduff in Co Down, died suddenly on April 29, leaving behind her devastated husband Bernard and their seven young boys – Noah, Theo, Teddy, Isaac, Hugo, Ezra and baby Cooper.
Speaking to Belfast Live nearly six months on from Zipporah’s death, Bernard said he has been doing all that he can to stay strong for his sons while also embracing the immense grief that he has for his wife, encouraging his boys to talk about her as much as they can.
Bernard said that, in some way, Zipporah has helped to guide them through what has been an incredibly difficult period since her passing and that her presence is always felt.
He added that he “never imagined half of the things that she did for us” and that if he can be “10 per cent of the parent she was” then he would be happy.
Bernard Branagan and his seven sons
“Everyday feels like groundhog day for me, I just feel empty inside, but I know I need to hold things together for the boys,” Bernard said.
“It is painful all the time but I want to embrace every bit of grief and I have been encouraging the boys to talk about their mum and how wonderful she was.
“She really was such a brilliant mum, I never imagined half of the things that she did for us. The way people talk about how well mannered our boys are is a testament to the values and morals that she instilled them and raised them.
Bernard and Zipporah Branagan
“The difficult thing is knowing everything that she is going to miss, like our eldest heading off to big school next year, our youngest’s first steps, first girlfriends, everything that she would have loved to be there for.
“I don’t know how I am going to manage Halloween this year and I don’t even want to think about Christmas, they were days that Zipporah really knew how to make special with matching PJs for the boys and everything decorated.
“I am just grateful that we have so much support out there and people who have been there for us over the past few months. From our family and local GAA clubs to the local Presbyterian Church who have been incredible, I really don’t know where we would be if it wasn’t for there help.”
Bernard and Zipporah on their wedding day
Bernard was recently inundated with over 1,500 messages of support from people all over the world after posting a video on social media about coping with the loss of his “unbelievable” wife.
He said that he knows that he will grieve Zipporah every day for the rest of his life and is looking at ways that he can possibly help others cope in similar circumstances.
Later this month, Bernard is hosting an evening at Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, Co Down, where people are being invited to come and discuss the impact grief has had on their lives and talk about the experiences they have had.
“The aim of the night would be sort of like an AA meeting for grief where people will be able to come together with others who are grieving and speak about their experiences, or not, in a safe and welcoming environment,” Bernard said.
A poster for the Let’s Share Grief event in Newcastle later this month
“I am very thankful for the support of the Burrendale Hotel and the evening will be completely free for people to attend and they just need to drop me a message saying they would like to go.
“Grief can make you feel like you are alone in this world, but I know from the messages I have received in the past few weeks that we are not alone and I hope that this evening can help people come together and find strength while acknowledging the grief we feel.”
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