Grief

The grey cat

Had coffee with social commentator Andrew Denton on the weekend to discuss the good death. We disagree on a lot of things – quite fiercely – and at times the argument got very heated. But he said something beautiful, which I do agree with. “If depression is a black dog, … Read more

Letting go – there’s no end to it.

by Tony Doherty   http://us9.campaign-archive2.com/?e=3f5f599bc5&u=d271338e1956a8bd6631e2743&id=5e6a3f9721  We are never more human than when we are grieving. A strange claim? Perhaps that statement even sounds a little harsh, unfeeling. Grief can be excruciating. It is almost always accompanied by pain. We try to avoid it – even avoid thinking about it. But stop and consider … Read more

Making a difference

When Elaine Searle was a young woman her beloved uncle was buried and she was shocked by how bad the funeral was. “His coffin just slid out of sight, after a few platitudes were said. There was nothing personal.” “Even though I was only in my early 20s I thought … Read more

The deathbed vision

“With impending death, the circulation slows, the heartbeat weakens, and the breathing gets slower or more irregular, but just as the heart beat and breathing case, the brain seems to have a burst of activity.” – So says Dr Michael Barbato in a recent interview. The interview can be found … Read more

Remembering mothers today

A photo of my mother just with me – something very rare. It’s Mother’s Day in Australia – a chance to reflect on all the lovely mothers who have gone before us. I’m loving seeing my friends tributes splashed across social media. I love especially the photos of women taken … Read more

At her window

It’s easy to miss the practical companioning aspect to the care of the dying in our modern, acute-care oriented health system.  Creativity and Life coach Helen Carmichael lives in a Bondi flat with a view over that iconic Sydney beach and she watched from her window as an elderly neighbour lay … Read more

New life

“Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life.” – Anne Roiphe Thankfully, with the birth of a new grandchild, I can take this wise comment literally. Although it is hard, after grief it is important to remember to seek out moments of … Read more

My friend Margie says goodbye to her brother Stephen

“I’d been asked by my brother Stephen’s children to say the eulogy at his funeral,” said my friend, another Margie. “At first I wondered how I could possibly do it, whether I would have the strength. As I thought about who Stephen was, I realised he was such an engaging … Read more

Things that I might forget on the first flight after my mother’s death

by Katherine Delaney That the captain was a woman with the first name of Rowena. That the mother behind me exhorting up, up, up in a high voice to her young child sounded like she was trying to re-assure herself. That I comforted myself by knowing that the fact that … Read more

Books: Grief is the Thing with Feathers

This looks as though it will be a good read. Author Max Porter, based in England, will be talking about his book at the Sydney Writers’ Festival in May. For more about this book, go to the Sydney Writers’ Festival Blog What we’re reading pt. 18 http://www.swf.org.au/blog/2017/01/what-were-reading-pt-18/

Remembering Julian today.

Today I’m remembering my brother Julian, who was killed this day five years ago, in a motor-cycle accident near his country property. As our brother, Damian, said in his eulogy for him; “There was an explosion of light too beautiful, and our dear Julian was shot into the Heavens, where … Read more

I’m not going

Traecey was in a car accident when she was in her early twenties and nearly died. She spent many long days in the intensive care unit, fighting for her life. One day Traecey was unconscious and delirious. She told her mother, Pat that her Auntie Bonnie had been to visit. … Read more

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