10 Jun 2025 | Mindfulness

Don’t meditate to fix yourself

Don’t meditate to fix yourself, to heal yourself, to improve yourself, to redeem yourself; rather, do it as an act of love, of deep warm friendship to yourself. In this way there is no longer any need for the subtle aggression of self-improvement, for the endless guilt of not doing…

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20 May 2025 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Memorial at a Chapel by the Beach

When a family chooses to honour a loved one, every decision becomes a thread in the fabric of their remembrance. For Jacqui’s family, each detail of her ceremony was thoughtfully chosen — from the music to the flowers, to the setting itself. They took care of every arrangement, crafting a…

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05 May 2025 | Poetry

Writing in the Snowy Mountains

In the quiet beauty of autumn, we gathered to listen deeply, write bravely, and share the gift of language in a landscape that stirs the soul. A week of warmth, creativity, and connection with poet, Mark Tredinnick and friends sung to by the Snowy River and held by mountains, stories,…

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04 Jan 2025 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Betty’s Garden

“Bet’s passing marks the end of an era for your family. It is a profound transition, as Nev and Bet have been the centre around which your lives have revolved for so long. The absence of Bet signals the beginning of a new chapter for all of you. May you…

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10 Nov 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

I am I, You are You.

Death is … A family recently chose this poem by Henry Scott-Holland to read at their son’s funeral. Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you…

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26 Jul 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Farewell Glynn

There were many stories when I met with David and Sarah last week at their home. Naturally there were both tears and laughter as they shared stories of their beautiful son, Glynn. Grief moves through the many layers of emotions: one minute crying, the next minute laughing. Waking up and…

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25 Jul 2024 | Poetry

Strength and Courage

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu     I wrote this poem after reflecting upon the vows we make to each other.   For Better, For Worse I marry you Knowing That you will die Or leave; Or, that…

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07 Jul 2024 | Poetry

Ventures Wild

I’ve been writing a few ceremony poems lately for couples and families. This one captured a whole story in a few lines which family and friends enjoyed.   “I’d like to share a very short reading, a poem; it’s called:   Ventures Wild Weekends planning, holidays packed. Cars, bikes, kayaks,…

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02 Jul 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Falling Leaves

Three in Transition by David IgnatowI wish I understood the beautyin leaves falling. To whomare we beautifulas we go?I lie in the fieldstill, absorbing the starsand silently throwing offtheir presence. SilentlyI breathe and dieby turns.He was ripeand fell to the groundfrom a boughout where the windis freeof the branches A…

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14 Apr 2024 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

A Date with Death

A dear friend, who went through cancer treatment at the same time as I did two years ago, shared this poem with me last week. It made me smile. I befriended death at that time. A Date with Death Death asked me to join him for dinner so I slipped…

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