What is it that binds these
poems to the work of the St John's hospice in Bedfordshire? The story they
tell of birth and death and more importantly all those little moments in
between. From supermarket musings in Skyward over Tesco's ; letting go
of your children in Thursday's child ; falling in love in Southwold
– the first time ; and staying in love in Barefoot through the
bluebells , to preparing to die in As it is in Heaven , each poem
illuminates an aspect of what it means to be alive even up to the very
moment of death.
Just like the work of St John's, this collection is not about the end of life, but a celebration of
life. Without this incredible hospice our experience of losing a young and
vibrant woman to cancer would have been unbearable. The highly trained
staff carried not only Andrea, but also all of us in their capable and
loving embrace. Hospices are not just places where people go to die, they
are places full of hope and love as well as spiritual and practical support
to enable those with terminal and chronic illnesses to live with dignity and
without pain.
Hospices are an essential service, everyone deserves the right to specialist palliative care, yet the
tragedy is that St John's only receives 25% of its funding through the NHS.
In order to stay open they must raise an additional one million pounds a
year, every year.
All the profits from this edition of In Two Minds, inspired by
Andrea, by nature, by love and friendship will go to St John's, and when
your very own copy lies heavily thumbed on the coffee table, you will have
the satisfaction of knowing that St John's is able to continue its vital
work whilst you enjoy the wonderful gift of life!
Juliet O’Callaghan
Following the death from cancer of my eldest Daughter Andrea, I decided to release this new collection of poems and short stories in aid of St Johns, the Bedfordshire Hospice where Andrea spent the last few weeks of her life.
End of life care is only partly funded by the NHS. The bulk of the cash needed to keep this essential service going has to be raised from the public.
"... it should come with a packet of tissues! God, but it is moving. What a story! Bless everyone who helped this woman and family. It does remind us that we are here to live, and so do so. Which, I loved!"
£8 (plus P&P) - a small price to pay for a book that you will remember forever - and at the same time help support St John's Hospice, Bedfordshire.
