came up with was, to the best of my ability, give her the tools to stand on her own two feet. To love me but realise that she had her own path to walk.
The poet and philosopher Kahlil Gibran - a favourite read of old hippies like me - says of children: “You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.”
In other words, let go of attachment. Your love and understanding are the best gifts you can give.

My husband shares these beliefs and it has deepened our relationship. My mother has grasped them, and the sense of peace she has gained is amazing to witness. She wants a Christian funeral but does not preclude any other religious practice. It is a philosophy.
A friend of 30 years died last week, and again I found comfort in the fact that due to my belief in letting go of attachment I can feel grief at the loss of his presence, but know that he is on his own path, and that we may meet again in another life.
With all the deaths that I have been through, this belief has made it that much more bearable. Whatever peoples spiritual beliefs may be, I hope it truly makes a difference when they too are facing the end of their lives. I know it is making a big difference to the way my mother faces her impending death. As for my husband and me, we’ve only made one pact - to meet up sooner

in our next lives.          A very happy turn of the year to you all.