By Jennifer Marriott

I’ve occupied myself doing lots of ‘stuff’ in my grown-up life.

I flirted with the broadcasting industry, as ‘on air’ talent and behind the scenes control freak.  I worked as a waitress, bartender, restaurant manager, cook and dishwasher. Sometimes all in the same day.

I knocked around the communications industry – graphic design, advertising and marketing – until it didn't like me very much, and I liked it even less.

By Catherine Pastille

They were trying to save her life.

That’s why the attending medical staff had ushered me away from my mother’s bedside, leaving me to stand alone in the middle of the hospital corridor.

I felt as if an invisible umbilical cord was being shredded. It was quite strange. Although I was an adult, I became aware that there was something quite powerful that connected us, and I sensed it being pulled away from the center of my body – I could feel it, in physical way.

The doctors asked what I wished them to do – resuscitate? Use a ventilator? Let her go? I was at the center of what felt like an approaching storm – one I knew I could not avoid.

It was then that I saw her coming toward me with open arms; and when I did, I knew in an instant that this was no ordinary moment…