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1744 days ago

She wears black. Always. As it turns out, death was not the end of her story. Chapter five.

Last Writes

Penny said “Mum had told me about a little notebook she called her ‘death book’ that she wrote in. It was a book imbued with spirit... some of that was probably brandy.”
“You know, I’ve never been able to grasp that in a time of deep grief people have to organise and decide so many things - when they can barely get out of bed! I am grateful to mum for taking that off my plate.”
In her book Penny’s mum wrote about what she would like for her funeral including flowers, hymns and who (and how long) should speak. “So, all I needed to do was rip out the first three pages. Like tearing out a small piece of someone’s heart - but in a good way.”
I was there and I was brightly dressed. As was Penny’s mother. The funeral was beautiful. Penny whispered to me afterwards “I had the little book in my pocket, and while I was saying my last goodbye to mum, the one thing I didn’t agonise over was hoping I had made the right choices. I knew it was what mum wanted and she would have loved it.”
As her friends gathered around for support, Penny got braver and read more of the little ‘death’ book.

More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 79.8% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    79.8% Complete
  • 20.2% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    20.2% Complete
933 votes
1 day ago

Merry Christmas to our Neighbourly community!

Alex Linda from Alex & Linda

We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us this year, your trust, recommendations, and kind words truly mean a lot to our small local business.

Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with peace, good health, and joy. We look forward to helping our lovely community again in the new year

Kind regards,
Alex & Linda

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3 days ago

Happy Holidays

Saint Johns Butchery

The Saint Johns Butchery team wishes everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Year! We'll be taking some time out to spend with friends and family too. Our opening hours over the holiday period...

24-26 December ... CLOSED

Saturday 27 December ... OPEN
Sunday 28 December ... OPEN, morning only

Monday 29 December - Friday 9 January ... CLOSED

Saturday 10 January ... OPEN

Thank you for your custom and support this year. Enjoy your summer and we look forward to serving you again in 2026. Happy holidays!

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