PERSONAL JOURNEYS

MRS Tapfield talks the Bulletin through some of the more emotional stories that have passed through the unit’s halls.

“We had a young father who was diagnosed with cancer. Music was a very, very powerful thread in his life and he had two small children. He wanted to leave a legacy because he knew he was quite palliative. He wanted a service where he could leave his legacy, his values that could actually be part of his son’s and daughter’s weddings. His children were nine and seven. He wrote a special piece of music for each of them. They came up and were dressed in a white outfit, his wife was very much a part of it. He sang to them individually and he wrote them his values and his passion for his life. He wanted them to understand how important his journey was and his strength, he wanted them to remember courage, passion, love and kindness, to be able to care for each other and their mother. The children were a part of that service, the children then spent some time away and we had tapas under the stars for his wife and him. They were able to slow dance under the stars. We made it a very special time.

“That was very much a privilege to be a part of that.”

“WE had a young woman who was with us for quite a long period of time. She had cancer. She had her wedding here. It was very powerful, her family was very much engaged. Her partner at different times still returns to the unit, which is quite difficult. This became family for him.

“WE had another wedding where the couple had travelled a lot, the advanced recreation officer did a memory board, lots of photos of their travels. We did the room up as a cruise ship so they could feel like they were on their honeymoon. They were able to have that time where they felt they could just be.

“WE had a dad that didn’t think that he could walk with his daughter at her wedding. We were able to do up a chair, ironed his shirt, put his flowers on. He had a pamper morning, she arrived and she walked beside him. He never thought he’d be a part of her day. I think that’s what makes the difference. Making memories that matter.

“People say that it’s so sad, about the different journeys, but the children, the legacy that they leave behind, that’s something they’ll have forever.”