A Shine of Rainbows

Fisherman Alec and his wife Maire of Corry Island, Ireland, have decided to adopt a boy, Alec sending Maire to the orphanage in the city on the mainland to make the decision of who on her own. The boy chosen will be on a trial basis while everyone evaluates the situation, making sure that the boy and Alec and Maire are a good match. Who she chooses is Tomás, a shy, small and often bullied boy, whose insecurity is manifested in among other things a stutter, that is when he does talk. Without any pressure, Maire tries to instill in Tomás in a nurturing way a sense of belonging in Corry, in their family, and life in general. While Tomás does have a real kinship with Maire, a question is is whether her way with him will make him blossom. That blossoming may be important as he has to find a sense of himself when she is not around, such as with his peers at school. But most important is finding that bond with Alec, who wishes that Maire that chosen a boy with a little more backbone, and who feels that with someone like Tomás providing him with food, shelter and clothes is enough to display his parental responsibilities in this trial period.