As I sat with the family, simmering pain and anger were evident. The last few years of their late brother’s life had been difficult. He had been used and manipulated by a stranger and had become alienated from the family. Fortunately in the last few weeks of his life he had come to see the situation as it really was and forgiveness and reconciliation had taken place. But those last five years nearly wiped out the previous 80 for those who loved him.

We are creatures who live in the moment, and our most recent experiences often colour our memories. But as I sat with this family I was able to remind them that we weren’t just remembering a few difficult years, but the totality of a wonderful and much-loved person’s life. There was a lot to celebrate in those memories!