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Think of deaths you’ve been close to – what were your takeaways? In Crossing the Creek, a short booklet (free PDF available online), Michael Holmes shares observations he accrued over three decades of working at hospice with end-of-life patients. He notices that when death is in the air (that can be several weeks), people often […]

Sixty-five days ago, on 11 June, colleagues from the TV programme Carte Blanche took a short video of Derek Watts reclining on a hospital bed. Derek, investigative journalist and television presenter, speaking in a strong voice, tells us: “Another short hospital stay, but I am fine. I will be out of here soon.” He didn’t sound like

We need to explore the evolving concept of guardianship more deeply in modern families. I would like to use this column as a conversation starter to explore various aspects that need to be considered. Two years ago, a close friend approached me and asked if I would be willing to act as a guardian for

Can you imagine a situation where there’s a car accident, and a passenger dies instantly? In their wallet, there’s a card that says they’re a registered organ donor. The medical response team go into action, alerting hospitals with waiting lists of people hoping for a lifesaving or life-improving transplant. Dozens of lives can benefit. Yes,

I’m currently witnessing the grieving of six people in my immediate circle. One is grieving after the loss of a beloved family dog, a longtime friend who has been a part of the family for years. Another is mourning after the loss of their trusted house manager, a person who played a significant role in

The focus of this column is about how best we can live our lives by design and yet, at the same time, keep our inevitable mortality in our mind’s eye. That is the nub. We also tap into what are current news stories that we can use as an entry point. Mapi used the story

Near-death experiences have long fascinated and intrigued people, often providing profound insights into the fragility and preciousness of life. From viral videos capturing miraculous escapes from disaster to personal accounts of individuals who have come face-to-face with mortality, these encounters with death offer us valuable lessons about the value of life and the choices we

When US singer Aretha Franklin died on 18 August 2018, almost five years ago, her four sons thought she had died “intestate”; that is, she died without leaving a will. She wasn’t married then, so according to US law, her assets would be divided equally between the four sons. Then, a niece found a signed will

If you were to throw a party for a significant milestone right now, what do you imagine would be said about you? And in 10 years’ time, what, if anything, would you want them to be able to say differently? And how would you begin to reshape your life to make that possible? Living by

I have been thinking of last conversations, the ones you had when you absolutely knew it was the last time – so often we don’t. Roberta Flack’s lyrics have played in my head. My mind unconsciously switched her word first and replaced it with the word, last. The last time ever I saw your face