Receiving a terminal diagnosis is one of the most challenging and life-changing experiences a person can face. It brings a wave of emotions: fear, sadness, disbelief, and often a deep sense of uncertainty about what lies ahead. When receiving...
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When a loved one passes away, we are often thrown into an overwhelming blur of grief, decisions, and responsibilities. While we deal with the emotional weight of loss, there are many practical and legal matters that cannot wait, and for those...
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Reflections on life, grief, and what truly matters Grief often arrives like a quiet wave; unexpected, heavy, and hard to explain. Whether we’ve had time to prepare or the loss takes us completely by surprise, saying goodbye to someone we love...
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Practical Guidance in a Difficult Time When someone close to you passes away, it’s natural to feel a range of emotions, from shock and sadness to uncertainty. Alongside these feelings, there are also practical matters that need attention. This...
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It’s not uncommon for families to be spread across provinces, countries, and even continents. South Africans are no strangers to this reality; our loved ones often live far from home, making it difficult to gather in one place when we need each...
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Sonja Smith recently sat down with Christine Ferreira from Met Hart en Siel on Radio Pulpit, discussing a few aspects of saying goodbye to loved ones when they pass away. One of these aspects discussed was about helping children through the loss...
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Sometimes, people reach out to us with their personal stories of loss. Each of these touches our hearts and reminds us of the unique path grief takes for individuals… Love you madly, bye! Dedicated to a dear friend, Alan. Learning to love...
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“Nothing that grieves us can be called little; by the external laws of proportion a child’s loss of a doll and a king’s loss of a crown are events of the same size.” – Mark Twain Most of us probably think of grief as...
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‘The sandwich generation’ is a term used to describe adults caring for their children and their ageing parents. And those children don’t have to be minors; it can include supporting a grown child. Conservative estimates show...
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In an elegy titled ‘In Memoriam’ Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote the line, “’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” It might be hard to agree with that statement in the month of February, though. The...
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“Friends are the family we choose, and losing one feels like losing a part of oneself.” — Author Unknown Close friendships bring joy, understanding and companionship to our lives. They can be vital to our health and wellbeing, so...
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When someone you love passes away, it can feel like the world has come to a standstill. Yet, despite the initial shock and the need to make arrangements for the funeral, you somehow manage to get through it. Even though it may seem impossible...
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