While engaging with the Hospice means I'm engaging with the very sad matter of my father dying of cancer, this has also been an amazing opportunity to be reminded of how real and strong values embedded across every touchpoint of an organisation is truly powerful stuff.

Every person, down to the gardener who stops raking and comes and sits next to you on the garden bench, the person who arranges the initial assessment who knows there's not my more to say than, "Aaaah, my lovey," the fresh flowers, the warm welcoming of my children into the space, the thoughtful inclusion of a children's playroom so that I can see my father and so can his grandchildren - even though they need other distractions - the way the nurses stand patiently next to my Dad's bed and listen in a most engaged way while he tells his long, sad story yet again, the space, the quiet, the trees, the option of a second bed in the room in case my Mom wants to spend the night, the option of going home for a night and being welcomed back - there's been not one contradiction in the experience... just warmth, calm, respect and love.

I can think of hundreds of organisations who could learn from Hospice.

And I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for who they are.

www.hospice.co.za