Creating space to pause, reflect and share experiences with dying and death

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I take that last breath with you

I take that last breath with you

So here we are. Stripped of pretense and excuses. I take that last breath with you. But I’m still here. What to do? Take that last breath every moment. And yet it continues, Like you through me; For eternity

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I took her face in my hands

I took her face in my hands

About five years ago I volunteered for another organization. I remember it was February and we had a snow storm. I looked outside and decided it was going to be difficult to drive so I hopped on the bus. When I got there instead of my “client”

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We talked and my heart ached for him

We talked and my heart ached for him

I remember Adina, one of my clients very close to death when I began visiting her. As it was, I went, perhaps, all of 3 times before I was told she had passed away. She was dying of breast cancer and her right arm was hugely swollen

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I always thought she was there

I always thought she was there

Life is strange. My mother died one week before my son was born. I always thought she was there but was sick. After one week of my son’s birth I came to know that she has passed away. I always regret not being there for her. I

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I tried my best to take care of you

I tried my best to take care of you

I Love you Dad! I was by your side when you departed. I tried my best to take care of you. I did. I also wish there was a hospice in my former country and trained volunteers would have given him more comfort. I wish I was

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She left us two weeks after her 15th birthday

She left us two weeks after her 15th birthday

…it was 12 years ago. She was my beautiful niece… a beautiful ballet dancer… she left us 2 weeks after her 15th birthday having fought for her life for a year with an aggressive germ cell ovarian CA. …the prognosis changed quickly but her mom & dad

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He is missed

He is missed

Is of my beautiful brother who was in a wonderful hospice. He was cared for as well as any loved one could have been. His name was Lachlan. He is missed.

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I have met so many resilient people

I have met so many resilient people

As a volunteer I have met so many resilient people who find joy in living each day. As a bereaved grandparent I have felt the care and support of staff and fellow group members. Thank you for it all!

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One cannot grieve if they have not loved

One cannot grieve if they have not loved

This would have been our 50th wedding anniversary. We had 45 years of loving my best friend and soulmate Patrick. Having loved someone so deeply I can understand why the pain is deep as well. Loving Patrick and losing him has given me a new aspect on

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Each time I played it on the piano, he sang

Each time I played it on the piano, he sang

I remember a client Clemstow, a musician and saxophonist, who was trying to organize a benefit concert to save animals even though he was terminal. His favourite song “Feelings” now always reminds me of him. Each time I played it on the piano, he sang! I thought

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