A dual sport (dual purpose) motorcycle somewhat bridges the street and off-road categories. Generally, a dual sport motorcycle is one that is street legal and can be ridden off-road as well. These are versatile bikes, but they are also compromise bikes. Some are more suited for around town and easy trails; some work well on the highway and make good adventure touring bikes; some are more dirt oriented: you can ride them on the street, but they are much more suited for off-road / trail use (dirt bikes with lights). Some bikes in this category are quite “tame” and built to a budget, while others are essentially competition bikes, with high-end components, made street legal.

One of the easiest ways to give your bike snappier acceleration and feel like it has a lot more power is a simple sprocket change. Or get the best motorcycle mods to optimize your beast.

Don’t buy a dual sport bike and expect it to work great everywhere, in all conditions, with a single setup or configuration. It’s just not going to happen. If you’re not going to be riding aggressively on the street or on the trails, and you want to go most places, then a single setup with all-around (50/50) tires may be just fine. You can also switch between different setups. Unless you have a second set of wheels, though, switching tires frequently would be a real hassle. Changing a front sprocket to change the gearing does not take much time or effort (depends on the bike).

Motorcycle modifications are one of the most inevitable parts when you buy a bike; it’s either for speed or for the aesthetics that one would opt to modify her/his motorcycle. Almost every motorcyclist is willing to take the chance to increase the performance of her/his bike. There are many ways to improve a bike’s power character. With utmost certainty, a different silencer, fuel injection firmware or a new crankshaft profile will affect the power delivery of your bike. The BikeBandit.com is the one-stop online platform to meet your powersports accessories, motorcycle battery and OEM parts needs.

No matter what powersports vehicle you ride – Cruiser, Sport, Adventure, Dirt, UTV, ATV, Watercraft or Snow, BikeBandit is here to help and be able to do it better so you can get it fast, get it right and get riding!

“It’s not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship

that makes unhappy marriages.”

– Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher

I may not agree with everything I’ve read by Mr. Nietzsche, but he’s nailed this one, hasn’t he?

I look around at the failed marriages of my friends and family members, and, if there’s one thing you can say for certain, it’s that they probably weren’t true, hardened friends the day they got wed, and certainly not with the kind of friendship that could stand the stresses and strains of a marriage…

And, even if they thought they were friends then, on the happiest day of their lives, they certainly weren’t that way when the divorce monster finally spat them out the other side.

Me? I’ve never been married and my horizon is looking pretty clear in that respect too. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a bad-looking guy (so I’m told… occasionally); it’s just I’ve had a lot of stress and strain just simply trying to live. The reason for that is simple too. Addiction. Meth, alcohol, weed – you name it. I was married to all of them.

My name is Andy, and I’m pleased to say that, just over 9 years ago, I finally divorced them all, and have lived a clean and sober life ever since. It wasn’t in a divorce court, with lawyers bickering over what my entitlements would be – it was finally settled in an Idaho drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, and I left with the chance to lead a better and healthier life – an entitlement that any addict would settle for given the real opportunity.

Quite a few of the marriage breakdowns and subsequent divorces I’ve witnessed in the lives of those around me fell victim basically to an outsider and a thief sharing their house – yes, addiction. One of them unknowingly let it in, it made itself at home, and, yes, you’re right, it refused to be the first to leave.

Good people, their relationships destroyed by this constant unwanted house guest. By then, for the vast majority of them, it was too late, the damage irreparably done.

Fact. Just under half of those choosing to tie the knot in the U.S. will end up divorcing each other. Just under half… And many will return to the scene of the cime too, and get hitched for a second time. The divorce rate for those marriages is even higher.

What I’m about to tell you is exactly why and how addiction and substance abuse affects the social health of an addict. In other words, here are 4 reasons their ability to maintain healthy, rewarding connections and relationships is going to become seriously flawed.

#1. Addiction & Brain Function

Let’s begin with something that, as a married partner, you’re not going to be able to see physically, but you will certainly know about it – brain function. Alcohol does many things to the human body, but one you may not be entirely aware of is how it’s effects on the thought process can range from crystal-clear clarity to utter, and often unbelievable, craziness.

Any type of substance abuse, and alcohol particularly, will actually physically restructure the way a brain works, and the connections that can be severely include:

• Pleasure & Reward
• Memory & Learning
• Decision-making
• Natural Impulse, and
• Stress

What you may be able to witness, therefore, is the resulting brain damage (because that’s what it is, and, believe me, I know), such as:

• Mental health disorders, eg.
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Sleep disorders
  • Depression
  • Possible psychosis
  • Uncontrollable aggression
• Memory impairment, eg. blackouts
• Hepatic Encephalopathy (caused by cirrhosis of the liver)
• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome:
  • Severe memory loss
  • Confabulation (or invented memories)
  • Inability to converse
  • Lack of perception

#2. Addiction & Reproductive / Sexual Function

I am now going to make the assumption that part of any healthy marriage is a healthy sex life, and, highly likely, it’s the desire to start a family too. Actually, that’s no assumption. However, the substance addicted spouse is going to be experiencing some problems and issues in that department, regardless of whether the addict is a man or a woman. Addiction certainly doesn’t discriminate.

One of the victims of long-term substance abuse is the hormonal system in general, and, in particular, the two primary hormones for the regulation of your reproductive functions – testosterone, and estrogens, such as estradiol.

A little biology here. In men, hormones affect sexual maturity, sperm development and level of fertility, and sexual behavior. In women, hormones affect several functions, predominantly breast development, body hair, menstrual cycle regulation, and the ability to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Let’s look at alcohol as an example. In men, chronic alcohol consumption can result in hormonal imbalance, infertility, and sexual dysfunction, such as:

• Abnormal sperm
• Reduced testosterone levels
• Male breast growth (you’d better believe it), and
• Sexual and reproductive disorders

In women who are premenopausal, chronic alcohol consumption can result in several reproductive disorders, such as:

• Irregular menstrual cycles or the cessation of menstruation
• Menstrual cycles with no ovulation
• Early menopause, and
• Spontaneous abortions

#3. Addiction & Money

Finances, always one of the biggest sources of marital disharmony, get hit by addiction – big-time, whatever your drug of choice. Not only will it affect your spouse, it’ll hit your community and the whole country you live in right where it hurts – in the pocket.

Did you know that the financial cost of alcohol addiction alone in the U.S. is around a mere $249 billion every single year, and drug addiction costs an estimated $484 billion every year? That’s serious, serious figures. Every single year.

However, you not going to be too concerned about that, if your the spouse in an addicted marriage. Sooner or later, money will go missing with no explanation, jobs are lost, court fines need paying, to name but a few ways your family’s finances are affected. Furthermore, let’s not forget the actual cost of the addiction itself, which, depending on the so-called “drug of choice,” can be the odd thousand dollars a month.

#4. Addiction & Domestic Violence

As mentioned earlier, addicts can have a great deal of difficulty controlling their aggression, particularly when what angers them happens “in their space.” The other thing you should know with regard to this is that addicts are generally good people. However, they still believe they are the same good person when they’re either drunk or high or both. Rarely (and sadly) the case.

Even more sad are the following statistics where substance abuse is discovered to be the primary factor:

• 80%: Domestic violence incidents
• Half of all sexual assaults
• 81%: Child Protective Services intervention

And it’s not just violence against others. 45% of people with untreated substance abuse disorders end up taking their own lives. The only protection and safe haven for you, your spouse – the addict, and other family members living with you is for them to find the best residential or outpatient addiction recovery treatment.

And It’s Over…

However you want to break it down, divorce is an ugly business. It’s even uglier when one of the participants (usually, the unwilling one) is an addict. I’ve seen it first-hand when one of my closest friends back in our addicted days split with his wife and child. Her reason? She’d become scared of him. Add a child into divorce proceedings, and the process becomes uglier still.

All of the 4 reasons provided above echo through what I witnessed – the impaired logic and thinking, the frustration in everything, the money worries, and, yes, child services becoming involved in their homelife. A sad thing to watch from the sidelines.

Personally, I never had a relationship even approaching mildly successful, let alone one that would lead to a marriage, while I was drinking and using. Successful relationships are always based upon mutual honesty, mutual respect, and a mountain of compromise – qualities an addict lacks in equal degree, as did I back then.

Then I got sober and my life changed fundamentally. I and millions of others out there in this big wide world are living proof that recovery from addiction is possible with the right help and support. We just need a lot of help and motivation in finding it.

Are you currently experiencing problems with substance abuse in your marriage or relationship? Please remember, there is always hope. Do share your experiences with your fellow readers by commenting below. All are gratefully received. Lastly, there is only one answer for the addict – abstinence. It’s not a cure, but it’s a start. Above all, take care.

If you want to lead an independent life as you age, continue reading to discover a few simple yet effective tips on how to keep your independence for as long as possible!

How to keep your independence as a senior:

Consider installing a stairlift in your home

If you live in a home which boasts multiple levels, it’s well worth installing a stairlift in your home, as stairlifts can help you maintain your independence. Having a stairlift you’ll be able to travel from your first floor to your second floor, without any difficulty, which will make it far easier to remain living independently in your home. This also helps you avoid having to move in with your family members or into a retirement village or home.

Place handrails up around your home

If you’re not as mobile as you used to be it’s a great idea to place handrails up around key areas of your home. As an example, you may want to place handrails in your primary bathroom in order to avoid falling when you get in and out of your shower or bath. Or you may want to place handrails in your hallway, to make walking from your bedroom to your lounge an easier process.

Consider purchasing a medical alert device aimed at seniors

If you are set on continuing to live at home, it’s a smart idea to purchase a medical alert device such as a medical alert necklace or bracelet, which will allow you to call an ambulance in the case of an emergency. As an example, if you suffer a nasty fall, you’ll be able to call an ambulance, with the touch of a button, without having to get up off the floor.

As a bonus, by choosing to purchase a medical alert device your family members will also enjoy peace of mind that you’ll be able to call for help, in an emergency!

Ensure to visit your doctor for regular check-ups

If you want to be able to live in your own home for as long as possible it’s also a great idea to visit your doctor for regular check-ups so that any medical issues which may affect your health can be diagnosed and treated effectively as soon as possible. Which will ensure that your health won’t deteriorate rapidly and that you’ll be able to lead an independent life for as long as possible.

Make sure to visit your local optometrist at least once a year

If you want to continue to drive yourself from a to b, it’s well worth visiting your optometrist on a regular basis, to make sure that your glasses’ lenses are the right match for your current eyesight. As if you continue to wear the same old glasses for years, whilst your eyes are deteriorating due to age, you may find it difficult to complete your daily tasks such as cooking, getting around your home and driving.

If you follow the tips listed above, you should have no trouble continuing to lead a normal independent life, for as long as possible.

Parties are a great way to showcase your love and affection for someone. While house parties have become the trend these days, you can go a step further and host a backyard yard for your special someone. Whether it is your girlfriend’s birthday or your boyfriend’s or it is your parent’s anniversary, a backyard party is a single solution to all the occasions. Requiring very less effort, this can be arranged quickly and can be the perfect party place to leave your loved ones awestruck. However, if not planned properly, this can be a disaster party too and thus, to make the backyard happening and to make all things fall in place, following few instructions will make sure to make you the perfect host whom everybody will come after for their future party planning.

1. Plan Before Hand

Whenever you plan to throw a surprise party, it is very important to preplan. Planning beforehand gives you the opportunity to jot down everything in advance and if there’s any type of changes, you still get to rectify them with not much effort. Thus, pre-plan the guest list, order the gifts and keep the check on the deliveries, shop for the clothes and make arrangements in advance.

2. Get all the supplies, decorations, and gifts

Last minute rush proves to be the worst. Thus, make the list of all the party supplies you would need, the decorations such as flowers, balloons, party poppers, and the first and foremost, the birthday or the Valentine gift for wife, girlfriend, husband or boyfriend. Keep a track on the deliveries and make sure every time you venture out to procure the items, you have a list ready.

3. Pick a Date Wisely

Often the special day lies in the middle of the week or especially when most of your guests are occupied, thus, pick a weekend day or a day when you expect your loved ones can make time for the grand occasion. Also, considered to be the best, plan a midnight party when the special person is asleep.

4. Pick a Party Theme

You can pick a dress code, a common color combination, or a theme as per the occasion or as per the favorite choice and make the loved ones feel closer. In fact, you get the special one of yours, a luxurious dress to adorn their special day with.

5. Invite Individually

Whether it is the family or the friends, make an invite and reach out to invite them personally. The invite can be made in respect with the birthday theme or the anniversary theme and can be sent via post to the closed ones residing far away.

6. Reconfirm the Deliveries

Keep track of the online delivery of the birthday cake or the anniversary cake, the dry clean delivery, the caterers who are supposed to deliver food on time.

7. Throw Surprise Party on Time

Once you’ve got everything planned and ready, throw a grand surprise party with music, lights, and everything happy.

Now that you know what all to keep in mind, hope you will make the party happening and exciting.

Australia is blessed with thousands of stunning beaches scattered around its coastline, but arguably the best of them all are located in Western Australia. The state capital, Perth, has a long coastline that is filled with beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise water. In the summer, the city enjoys hot, sunny weather that is perfect for hitting the sand. From trendy inner-city beaches to remote island paradises, Perth has beaches for everyone.

If you’re looking for a destination for your next summer holiday, book with AccorHotels for a beach stay in Perth. Make sure to visit some of these beaches during your stay.

Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe is the most popular beach in Perth and has always been at the top of the list throughout Perth’s history. This historic beach has long been a local favourite, located close to the city, with a gorgeous crescent of white sand, gentle clear waters and amazing facilities. This is a patrolled beach where you can safely swim between the flags. The pavilion here really catches the eye, as does the lovely grassed terrace where you’ll always find people sun baking. Grab some fish ‘n’ chips and sit beneath the Norfolk Pines on a hot summer’s day, and then cool off in the warm, clear waters of this Perth icon.

Scarborough Beach

Heading north from Cottesloe, you’ll come across another of Perth’s most popular beaches. If you’re looking for that city-meets-beach experience, this is the place to go in Perth. Scarborough has a strip of high rise hotels and apartment buildings, shops, restaurants and cafes, all located along the beach front. The beach itself is beautiful with white sand and blue water, and you’ll find more waves here than at Cottesloe. It is still a great swimming beach with patrolled areas and gentle dropping sand.

Trigg Beach

The next beach north of Scarborough is Trigg Beach, quite possibly the most popular surf beach in Perth. The waters here are a lot rougher than its gentle neighbours, so this is one more suited to experienced swimmers, beach walkers, and of course, surfers. Surfing is huge in Western Australia, so you’ll always find people on their boards bobbing up and down on the waves at any of Perth’s surf beaches. Trigg gets some good, consistent swell and is a great spot to watch the surfers.

Mettams Pool

This beautiful northern beach is no secret to the locals, but it feels like you’ve stumbled upon a secret little cove when you get there. Just north of Trigg Beach, Mettams Pool is gorgeous thanks to its perfect white sand, rocky outcrops and flat reef that provides calm, sheltered water that is perfect for swimming. On a fine day, Mettams Pool is one of the best spots in Perth to go snorkelling thanks to its reef that is home to a plethora of interesting marine life.

Leighton and Port Beach

South of Cottesloe, you’ll find a long stretch of beautiful white sandy beach that basically runs all of the way from Cottesloe to Fremantle. This starts off as Leighton Beach and then becomes Port Beach as you head to Fremantle Harbour. These beaches are great spots to go to escape the crowds as there is so much beach to choose from, and they aren’t as popular as the more crowded beaches to the north. Leighton Beach is also dog friendly, so bring your four-legged friend along for the holiday.

Bathers Beach

If you’re in Fremantle and don’t want to leave the city centre, Bathers Beach is a small stretch of sand located right in the middle of the city, perched between the harbours. Not as pretty as other beaches in the area, what Bathers Beach lacks in looks, it makes up for in convenience. You can just walk here from downtown Fremantle for a quick dip and a sunbake, and all the restaurants of Fremantle Harbour make a great spot for lunch.

South Beach

A nicer beach to go to in Fremantle is South Beach, located in South Fremantle. This beach is popular with locals and families as it has sheltered water that is great for swimming, and good facilities including grassed areas with tall shady pine trees. It’s the perfect spot to go to in Fremantle for a picnic and a day on the beach. Just south of South Beach is CY O’Connor Beach, a quieter alternative that is also dog-friendly.

Rottnest Island

Off the coast of Fremantle is one of the highlights of a visit to Perth. A 30-minute ferry ride from Fremantle brings you to Rottnest Island, a place that feels like it should be somewhere in the Mediterranean. This limestone island is full of gorgeous, postcard perfect beaches with white sand and turquoise water. Rent a bike and ride around the island, finding a hidden little beach all to yourself. Hidden little coves and bays surround the island, and you’ll often find yourself in paradise. Some of the best beaches on Rottnest Island include The Basin, Ricey’s Beach and Little Salmon Bay.

Rockingham Beach and Point Peron

Heading south from Fremantle, past the industrial port of Kwinana, you will come to the pleasant beachside suburbs of Rockingham. The foreshore in Rockingham has some lovely beaches that sit in a sheltered bay. You will often find pods of dolphins swimming around in the bay and if you’re lucky, you can swim with them as well.

Just beyond Rockingham Beach is the rocky outcrop of Point Peron, where you’ll find old WWII bunkers, and lots of hidden coves with small sandy beaches that are great for snorkelling and a bit of seclusion.

Shoalwater Bay

On the other side of Point Peron in Rockingham is the picturesque Shoalwater Bay Marine Park. A narrow, sheltered beach follows along the shoreline, but perhaps more intriguing are its offshore islands. The bay has several islands and reefs that are teeming with wildlife. Hire a kayak or join a cruise to visit Penguin Island, with its cute Fairy Penguins, and Seal Island with its colony of male Sea Lions. Penguin Island is another nice little island that is worth visiting for its little coves and beaches.

As you can see, Perth is full of amazing beaches to explore and relax on. Consider this interesting city for your next summer beach break.

If you are an avid angler, you will no doubt be able to turn your hand to repairs when necessary, especially if the fix needs to be done while out on a fishing trip. Things can, and often do, go wrong and if you have a little know-how and the right tools, there are many small repairs you can carry out unaided. Here is a step by step guide to repairing a rod tip, which will certainly come in handy one day.

• Ascertain the Damage – The tip of a fishing rod is the most delicate section of all and it is oh so easy to knock it into something hard, which more often than not, causes the tip to break. The first step is to assess the damage and if the very end of the rod has broken off, you will need to locate the missing piece and extract the end ring. If this is not possible, you can order a new end ring from an online fishing tackle supplier. If you are looking to buy a new rod, Fish Head sells Black Hole fishing rods at very affordable prices, as well as stocking reels, line and many essential fishing accessories.

• Prepare the Rod Tip – The broken end of the rod needs to be cut square and the last inch or so should be lightly sanded down, which roughens the surface, ready for the rod tip to be attached. Prior to applying any glue, slot the top ring over the rod section to ensure a perfect fit – you might need to sand down the end of the rod to enable the tip to fit, depending on exactly where the break occurred.
• Removing the Top Ring – The top ring will need to be removed from the broken tip, which can be done by gently applying heat until the glue is loosened. Once you have removed the top ring, clean it up and remove all traces of glue and it will be ready to be reattached to the rod. In the event the top ring has been lost, you will need to search online for a fishing tackle supplier that stocks rod rings, and make sure the top ring you buy is suitable for your make of rod. There are step by step guides on repairing a broken fishing rod tip, which come complete with pictures.
• Use Epoxy Resin – The ideal adhesive for a rod tip ring is the kind of epoxy resin that comes in tow tubes and by mixing 50/50, apply a small amount evenly around the very tip of the rod, then carefully slot the end ring onto the rod, making sure the ring is perfectly aligned with the others. Wipe away any excess glue and leave the rod for an hour to allow the resin to set.

Should you neither have the time nor the inclination to carry out a self-repair, most fishing tackle shops will do this for a small fee, yet it really is quite an easy thing to do and you don’t really need any special tools, just a little patience.

There are a lot of people who are confused about the new CA real ID. If you are not from California, you may get confused about this too. The process of getting this ID is similar to getting your driver’s license. People cannot help but wonder what is the main difference of this ID with the usual license you would use in order to drive. Have you contacted your traffic ticket attorney recently? You may need to do so to gain more information.

The California “Real” ID is the type of ID that people would use whenever they need to travel within the country of the United States of America. This is not being used yet but it will be required starting October 20, 2020. it is not as expensive to get. It will be similar to getting one of the required identification cards in the state.

You can start getting a real ID this early so that you will spare yourself the trouble that you may encounter in the long run. You actually have a choice if you would like to get the real ID or if you would rather get a federal and non-compliant ID. The decision will be up to you.

There are different things that you may need to present before you can apply to get a real ID:

• A certified true copy of your birth certificate proving that you were born in the United States of America.
• U.S passport
• Employment authorization
• Card that will prove that you are a permanent resident of the United States or a foreign passport if you are from another country.
• Social Security Number

If in case there are some IDs that you still need to fix, you can contact your suspended license lawyer Long Beach in order to help solve this problem.

The requirements that are mentioned are just some of the basic ones. You need to be prepared and give all of the possible requirements that my be asked of you. The more complete your requirements, the easier the whole process of getting a new ID is going to be.

As of now, there is no rush to get your real ID since it is not needed until 2020. Still, it will help if you could seek the help of traffic lawyers near me if you are still feeling confused about how you can acquire this type of ID.

Deciding that you’re ready to start day trading is a significant choice to make. While it’s highly possible to be successful as a day trader and make a good living out of trading just for a few hours a day, most people spend months learning how to work with the market. The first year of figuring out how to day trade is often the toughest, but you might find that you go through ups and downs throughout your entire life as a day trader. The good news is that if you have the right attitude, and the right strategy, you should go far. Here, we’re going to look at how you can start building up your own day trading strategy.

Creating a Strategy for Day Trading

The first thing you need to know is that day trading isn’t something you can simply do on a whim. You’re going to need a method that makes sense to keep you going each day. The first thing you should do when you’re thinking of beginning your day trading journey is spend time watching other people trade. You can also consider watching live charts of assets moving, to help you think about the following questions:

• How would you get into a trade?
• How would you get out of the trade?
• How much are you willing to risk on any trade
• What position would you take in the trade?

Ideally, the aim of your day trading strategy should be to use the same method over and over again to encourage the same results. Although it will take time to find the strategy that works for you, the results will be well worth it in the end.

Practice a Lot When You First Start

Another important thing you’ll need to know when you start day trading is that practice does make perfect. After all, if you want to be good a sport, you’ll need to spend a number of years practicing. Even at a minimum wage job, you’ll be required to practice the things that you need to do every day until you become more efficient in doing them.

Practicing is hard when you first start trading because it often means putting your money at risk. However, there is a way that you can build your skills without worrying about your cash. Simulated stocks and paper trading services allow you to practice developing your day trading skills without worrying about the cash side of things.

Thanks to simulated and virtual trading, anyone can begin learning how to trade on the daily stock market, and they don’t need any minimum amount of money to do so. This means that you can even try out multiple different strategies to see which one works best for you to before you make any final decisions on how you’re going to handle your money and your assets going forward. Many traders, both beginners, and veterans, rely on simulated trading to help them enhance their skills.

It’s normal to be upset by the prospect of losing somebody you love. everybody feels that way. Still, especially when illness or addiction is involved, the lack of social structures to help with the long, drawn-out period when death is on its way can make things very difficult. If you’re going through something like this it’s important to know how to take care of yourself and make things as easy as possible for all involved.

Anticipatory grief

In situations like this, the grieving process can start before your loved one dies. It’s subtly different for each individual and can involve confusing feelings like anger, fear and guilt (even if you know you’ve done nothing wrong). Some people are unnerved because they don’t seem to feel much of anything. It’s important to remember that there are no obligations and that your emotions will sort themselves out in time. In the meantime you need to be patient and try to manage them so that they don’t interfere with your relationship with the dying person.

Understanding the process

When death occurs in a slow, natural way, it usually involves the dying person becoming more withdrawn. Don’t take this as a rejection and be careful not to crowd or overwhelm the person, who will gradually need more sleep. Don’t push them to eat or drink more – just ask what small things you might do to make them happy. If they want company, they may be content simply to hold your hand and not have the energy to interact more.

Talking and listening

The chances are that you and others who are close to the dying person will have things you feel it’s important to say before death happens. Now is the time to make your confessions and express your feelings so that you’re not left burdened with regret – but remember that the dying person may not have the energy to react much. Don’t make it all about you – take the time to listen to what they feel it’s important to say as well.

Preserving memories

Towards the end, if the dying person feels up to it, it can be good to take photographs, record them speaking or make videos together so that you will have things to help you remember. Be understanding if they don’t want to do all of this and would prefer to be remembered as they were when stronger. Ask them which memories they most treasure and would like you to preserve.

Getting closure

It might sound grim, but making a practical plan together to take care of funeral arrangements can actually set everyone’s minds at ease. Whether there’s going to be a burial, a cremation or something else, the dying person may feel comforted by knowing what the next stage of the physical journey will be, and you will have reassurance that you’re respecting their wishes. If you plan to use a keepsake urn for the ashes, that may be a great comfort as well, so make sure you tell your loved one that they will always be with you.

Death is never easy and nothing you can do will make it so, but sharing moments of emotional intimacy towards the end can help you to adjust. Take time to reflect on all the ways that your loved one’s influence will continue to affect the world, and remember that you’re part of that legacy.