By the time you read this, Mothers’ Day will possibly have come and gone for another year. Mums play a special part in our lives, so we liked an initiative of Hospice West Auckland, which invited the public to join it in a Mothers’ Day Memorial Tree Planting on 13 May 2012.

The Hospice said they would plant 10 native trees in honour of those who are missed, and invited families to come with their gumboots, prepared to muck in. The possibility of people planting their own tree was also mooted. The Hospice also arranged kids’ activities and tea/coffee.

In this case, the land the trees are planted on is privately-owned and will eventually be turned over to a Trust for the community. You may not have room on your property to plant trees or even rose bushes! But if there is a memorial event like this planned for your community, maybe you can contribute in supportive ways – like providing kids’ activities or refreshments.

What a great way to honour the role of parents (even our deceased parents) and to make connections with people who may be seeking answers to questions about life, suffering and death.