David’s Story

David Hanson kindly shares his connection to St. Mary’s: his mum, Lola Hanson, who spent her last 10 days with St Mary’s back in April 2013:

“Mum was an amazingly strong lady but the nature of St. Mary’s and the staff allowed her to feel safe, comfortable and secure as she faded. Both Dad and I were able to hold her hand as she took her last breath and that moment was unbelievably significant in our lives, particularly for dad who was struggling with the whole concept of Mum’s cancer and dying. Being there genuinely made a difference to the rest of his life. (91 now and just gone into nursing care).”

“Mum loved the outdoors and a day or so before she died we were able to move her bed to the doors that lead to the quad, the light Spring breeze stroked her face and she closed her eyes, tilted her head back and just sighed, slowly breathing in and letting the feeling lift her. The flexibility and openness of your systems to allow those experiences are vital to each individual finding their own way of dealing with their situation. Moments before mum died I had walked around the quad, breathing the same air, contemplating how nice it would be to have citrus trees in pots and feeling the breeze on my face. As I came back in and walked towards mum’s room (opposite the doors) she opened her eyes, looked at me and smiled (Consciously or just a reaction being so close to the end, I don’t know) but a few breaths later she was gone. That moment, the space to collect myself and the freedom that I was given, are my significant moments. I return to them often, always aware that it was St. Mary’s that enabled me to have them.”

“I am looking forward to being able to return to the cafe, enjoy a cuppa and lunch, think of mum and once again feel the peace that surrounds St. Mary’s.”

Thank you to David for sharing his family’s story.