Emma’s mum, Polly, loved the colour purple and Christmas lights. So when Emma received her first invitation to Lights of Life in Polly’s memory last year, it felt like the perfect way to give back to the place which supported their family during ‘a frightening time’.
We previously shared Polly's story, who was diagnosed with stage four womb cancer in 2024. She was transferred to the Hospice in June on an end-of-life pathway following a reaction to her first chemotherapy session, but made a remarkable recovery and was discharged 10 days later.
Polly's daughter, Emma, recalls the instant sense of calm she felt when the family first arrived at the Hospice:
"It was like the calm after the storm. It was such a relief, such a breath of fresh air. Realising that your parent who you love so much is coming to the end of their life is huge and the worst time of your life. You're dealing with all these emotions and it's a frightening time, so to walk into somewhere where you instantly felt calm - and not only you but the rest of your family, and your mum who was in that situation - was just amazing. You can't describe it actually.
"And every single person was so caring and so friendly. You can ask the questions, you don't feel the pressure and you can talk so much more openly and freely than you would in a hospital. Everyone has so much time for you and it makes the whole process so much easier."
Thanks to the compassionate care Polly received on our Inpatient Unit, she went on to live another seven months. One of Emma's favourite memories during that time was Polly's birthday in December, when the family hired a minibus to see the Christmas lights in London together. Despite having had a blood transfusion just a couple of days earlier, Polly was determined to be on the minibus and celebrating with those closest to her.
Emma and Polly smiling together in the minibus in London
"Mum was fun, full of life and had a big smile," Emma continues. "We're a very close knit family, endlessly laughing. She just smiled about everything and could always see the funny side of everything, even the stressful times. I think she just lived her life that way. So that's a really special memory, and time we wouldn't have had together were it not for the Hospice.
"That extra time meant we were all able to talk much more and understand what was happening, and accept it and realise how we would move forward. Mum always gave us strength, and the Hospice gave her time to give us all more strength to keep going."
Polly returned to the Hospice in January 2025 following a hospital visit revealing abnormal test results. The family couldn't have been more relieved that a bed was available for her.
"It was great being able to just not worry, really not worry, and know that she was in safe hands. The staff remembered Mum when she came back in, and even with the new faces, you'd soon chat and feel like part of a family."
Polly died peacefully at the Hospice surrounded by her loved ones a couple of weeks later. Now, Emma and her family regularly attend our in memory events as a way to remember Polly, with Lights of Life holding an extra special place in their hearts.
"Mum's birthday was 16th December and she loved that time of year and she loved the lights. She also loved the colour purple and there was a section where there was quite a lot of the purple light and it was beautiful. There was a point where I just thought, 'she'd have loved this'."
Purple lighting in our Woodland Walk area at Lights of Life
"The thought that we could come back to the Hospice, see all the lovely lights and
be back in the calm environment that I always see this place as is a little safe haven. I always think, wow, everybody has individual stories and yet we're all here together sharing and supporting each other. And it just gives you time to reflect."
Emma will be reading Polly's favourite poem, 'The Spirituality of a Smile', at this year's service. To join her and dedicate a light in memory of your loved one, visit the links below.
