A Sadder Mothers’ Day This Year

This week our dear mother and grandmother, Joy, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning with her lifelong partner and dearly loved husband, Hedley, by her side. It was only just Mothers’ Day last year that I wrote about her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. It seems sadly bittersweet then, that this Mothers’ Day …

i4Give Week

“There is Freedom in Forgiveness” Two years ago a horrible and tragic accident took the lives of four children, Sienna, Antony and Angelina Abdullah, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, when a man, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, lost control of his vehicle and mounted the footpath. The tragic loss of four young …

#BookSnapSunday – The Elegance of the Hedgehog

When something is bothering me, I seek refuge. No need to travel far; a trip to the realm of literary memory will suffice. For where can one find more noble distraction, more entertaining company, more delightful enchantment than in literature?  If you like a fast-paced, action-packed plot, then this book is probably not for you. …

Hope in the Midst of Pain

 The New Year is just around the corner and I imagine there are many of us who cannot wait to see the end of 2020. The Corona Virus has delivered a major hit to our communities and our way of life during this year and our New Year celebrations will be no different. Large gatherings …

#BookSnapSunday – Leap

      Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame they fearful symmetry? (William Blake 1794)     From the striking cover, tigers have a presence in Myfanwy Jones’ novel Leap, shortlisted for the 2016 Miles Franklin Literary Award. Every week, on the same day, …

Bec Turns 21

We have just celebrated Bec's 21st birthday. It feels a little strange to have both children over the age of 21. I don't know where all the years went. One minute I had two small children and the next they are full grown adults. How did that happen? Twenty-firsts are becoming a thing of the …

Family Time

In our hectic modern lifestyles, it can be hard to carve out spaces for quality family time. It often becomes a matter of minutes snatched here and there, in between ferrying children all over the place, never-ending domestic chores, and work or study related activity. Until one of those significant life events occur that draws …

Wear Red for Valentines

Happy Valentines Day. A day for all things red and heart-shaped. A day for celebrating the mystery of love in all its shapes and forms. A day for flowers and chocolates, hugs and kisses, and walks down memory lane. Hearts are amazing things. They flip at the sight of the beloved. They pour out in times …

Love, Joy and Peace

  It's Christmas. The season of twinkling lights, festive food, Carols by Candlelight and happy families. We've cleaned the house, decorated the tree, wrapped gifts for a never-ending list of family and friends, and slaved in the kitchen. Christmas is that magical time of the year when families get together to celebrate love, joy and …

Walking Together in Grief and Love

Our friend Barry passed away in the early hours of Easter Sunday. After a remarkably swift battle with cancer, we mourn his passing, yet at the same time, we are relieved that he is now at peace. We knew that the end was near. We hoped that his suffering would be over sooner rather than …