Values

My Deer, Phoenix Park.

Phoenix Park, Ireland, pic courtesy National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, Ireland.

That’s a full stop – a red stop sign with angled corners and a white line around it.  Resting here, my knees have buckled, in front of that sign you planted in my path. I have walked this space so confidently, happy to share what I know, to muck in. … Read more

A Mexican Cross to remember Chris

A Mexican Cross to remember Chris by, made better for its imperfections, as he is buried today.

Today a Mexican Cross to remember Chris by, because later this morning, Sydney time, his family who are dear to my heart will bury him. They are a large Catholic family just like the one I grew up in and now he, one of the six siblings, is gone. If … Read more

Jane and Richard talk about the last few months of life

“Have you been around during the last months of someone’s life, either a friend or a relative?”

Do you want to live for 1000 years?

Do you want to live for a thousand years?

It’s all about the radio today. Aubrey de Grey is a researcher who believes the first human being who will live for 1000 years has already been born. This morning I was reminded of de Grey when ABC radio interviewer Cassie McCullagh interviewed Professor John Rasko. Tonight, Professor Rasko will … Read more

Farewell to Pauline Helen Hensley

Pauline Helen Hensley

Pauline looked as though she was just doing the ordinary things: just getting on with it because, as she said, you’ve got no choice. But she was being absolutely extraordinary.

Ambos give one last trip to the beach

This one might be familiar to some…but it’s a lovely story to repeat at Christmas time. Thank you Paul E for sharing. Two Queensland paramedics who went out of their way to fulfil the final wishes of a dying patient say they’re humbled by the worldwide attention they’ve received, after … Read more

Have your say…for a few more weeks

You’ve got a (small) opportunity to fill in a survey about palliative care in NSW, until December 15, this year (2017). The NSW government has promised to spend an extra $100 million over the next four years for community-based palliative care services, on top of the money it already spends. … Read more

When expectations differ

Julie’s father passed away in August, 2014: “We had all gathered to be there with him when he died and we were ready to let him go. “He’d been married to my stepmom, Monica, a beautiful Italian Catholic, for about 35 years, but we are Jewish. The Jewish tradition is that … Read more