To Absent Friends is a Scotland-wide Festival of Storytelling and Remembrance which is taking place this week until Sunday.

The festival was established to encourage people to remember, to share stories, to celebrate and reminisce about people we love who have died. Our work at Strathcarron Hospice with patients, their families and friends, remind us just how important these traditions are during a period of grief and into the future of the new normal for the bereaved.

There are so many different, and comforting ways, to celebrate and remember the life of someone who remains close in your heart. You might find it easier to gather a few close family and friends around and share stories about what that person meant to them; what was special about them, what did they care about, what did they love doing and where did they love going, the music that made them dance and the things that made them laugh. The things that made them sad and the things that got them mad.  The food that made them ask for seconds; was it a fish supper, a curry or mince and tatties? Bereavement can be lonely place but by sharing your love and taking the time to remember the individual for the special and unique person they were you can help keep your memories alive.

Please take some time out this week to remember your special person or people who are no longer here. If you would like to do something extra special in memory of your loved one you can sign up to take part in the Strathcarron Life, Love Memories walk by visiting Life Love Memories