The importance of a final resting place

Lovely piece from Yvonne Martin about acquiring her final earthly resting place (Dec 26).

Quite right about leaving something tangible and knowing now where you are going to be then. My parents were cremated and thrown to the winds so we have no idea where they are.

My Scottish granny visited New Zealand in 1953, died of a heart attack and we can still visit her in Greymouth cemetery, which is really good.

Although a Scot, I have purchased a plot in an old Lincolnshire country church yard.

It is much cheaper than Yvonne and Neill’s at only about $700, but then it’s not Auckland of course.

The big problem will be getting me there. Of course, I’d prefer to go in toto but that’s pretty well a business fare.

My wife, kind but financially prudent, gently insists I will go, reduced by the flames, in her cabin bag when, after my departure, she fancies a holiday in Europe.

Either way my family will have somewhere they can either visit before a nice pub lunch or forget to visit after said lunch.

Dr David Mitchell

St Albans

Meaning of Christmas

Each year, with the Christmas presents, I attempt to unwrap the contemporary meanings of Christmas.

Christmas traditionally has been a time for family gatherings and remembering friends, with good connotations for the fortunate, associations of pain, loneliness and regret for others.

Christmas, regardless of our individual belief systems, can be a time for the practising of ‘‘generosity, community, selflessness and compassion’’.

Likewise it can be a time to pause, to reflect on our shared humanity and the values we believe in for achieving the best outcome for all members of the human family and for our shared environment. A time with the potential for peace and goodwill to all.

Diamond Harbour