Brother! Who needs one when he’s such a bully – even though he’s the youngest of four children, Sophie thought as she returned to sit next to Bea on the couch, after both had visited their respective toilets. Sophie had marked her great-aunt’s letter with a highlighter to indicate where Bea was up to in … Read more
family therapy
Letter written in 1962 provides Evidence
Letter Reveals Evidence of Opa’s Character Letter sure shows Opa’s probable treatment of Alida, Sophie mused as she tidied up after lunch, while Bea had a little afternoon nap. She remembered how Bea had said many times over the years that Alida had said she needed to work cleaning the shops below the family apartment … Read more
Family time is important to so many people
Family time became an even more precious aspect of people’s lives this last Christmas Family time was destroyed for many as Covid restrictions wreaked havoc on planned gatherings and travel across the country, let alone around the world. Christmas and New Year can be a real pressure point for family in any year due to the … Read more
Looking through photos gives many clues
Looking through photos generates discussion Looking through photos with Bea on the second evening after the meeting at Alida’s grave with the retired nurse, Sophie’s aunt said, ‘Institutions that I visited as a social worker nearly always had a split church like this one where Alida was. Most people were always sitting doing nothing which … Read more
Distracting herself from anxiety
Distracting herself from her apprehension about the visit to Alida’s grave, Sophie absorbed the scenery outside the window during the train trip to Maastricht. This was where she felt most at home outside of her Australian birth region. Now Bea no longer lived seven kilometres from the city centre, Sophie headed to her favourite souvenir … Read more
Best things in life include good communication
Best things are Simple and Free Best things in healthy relationships include Love, Respect, Helpfulness and Good Communication which are the building blocks to true happiness. Just like good medicine from the garden they are free, although some investment of time, effort and a little financial outlay is needed at the beginning … You’ll reap … Read more
Pandemic psychological help for families
Pandemic psychological aftermath planning Pandemic associated concerns impact on our mental health and must be considered in health planning. Stress on couples, families and those living alone has been discussed in all forms of media since Australia went into lock-down in March. The good news is that there is abundant advice and tips to be … Read more
Focus on your health builds Resilience
Focus on your health gives you a sense of control Focus on your health in uncertain times is something that you can do to feel good & positive about your marriage and other relationships. Many people are turning to gardening this year, to enjoy life NOW and look to the future as a couple, individual or … Read more
Without her own mother, Alida, life was practical
Without her own mother, as she was growing up, mum was like a slave to her father and his mistress, so she didn’t really think about emotional needs. Sophie wiped her nose as she reflected on her relationship with her recently deceased mum. She recalled how she’d paused for three months from her weekly phone … Read more
Mother’s Day celebrations are important
Mother’s Day is time to honour the significant women in our lives Mother’s Day with no mother for the first time. Sophie’s first thought was like a lump of lead in the pit of her stomach. Gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for Mum at three-years-of-age when she lost her … Read more