Your Last Word - When you want your memory to become a treasure

One of my favourite pastimes would be listening to conversation and having a good old laugh with family and friends.Listening to someone tell their own stories regardless of age is a great joy, and one of life’s most valuable treasures. Some stories are from past experiences or maybe about someone or even something special, funny or sad that happened just today. Words of love or emotion are at times hardto say face to face, but never far from our mind. We know that one day we must sit down and say exactly what we’ve wanted to say, like “I’m so proud of you” or “When I’m no longer here I really want my boat to be enjoyed by Gavin because he…”. This is why I believe ‘Your Last Word’ is very important - all these unspoken words can be spoken and left for our loved ones.

Life has given me many experiences of both love and loss; I am a warm, compassionate person on whom friends and family can rely. My husband, two children and I travelled by road around Australia for twelve months, meeting some incredible characters through our journey. This may have been when I started to really listen to peoples’ stories. On the road with two kids and no television will teach you many things, and I think taking the time to really listento peoples’ stories is one of the most valuable lessons. After returning home, we realised the city was no longer for us. We moved from the city for a ‘sea change’ several years ago; we all just love that country and sea air, no traffic lights, the cool summer breeze, beautiful sunsets and the clear starry nights.

My career choices explain how I enjoy working with people of all ages and nationalities; each position was carried out in a professional, friendly, efficient and helpful way often having so much fun and adventure. I was a Flight Attendant 1981-2001, Park Ranger & Tour guide 2002-2012 and graduated in 2012 becoming a Civil Celebrant.

Celebrating milestones of life is an extremely important time to share with many people who are involved in your life. I know this from losing many close to my own heart, taken to suddenly with no words of goodbye. What I would give for a few last words from these cherished people, some vision I could show my children now they’re old enough to understand, and one more memory that doesn’t fade with time. It’s a wonderful gift.