ALEX HOLMES

Alex Holmes shares memories of his younger brother, who died in a tragic drowning accident at just 19 months old.

SARAH MARSHALL

He had so much to live for, his passing is just something I can't understand, and not for lack of trying.

JESS PARKER

As Jess Parker's father battled cancer, it was hard to see her charismatic dad lose his spark.

ALISON JONES

When Alison Jones lost her mother to breast cancer, she also lost her best friend.

PETER MCKEEFRY

At 49, Peter McKeefry is pretty happy with his lot in life, having lived by these four principles.

KATIE BRADFIELD

It has been almost four years since mum was killed in a car accident, but it feels like yesterday.

ANGIE SERRAO

It has been 181 days since my beautiful mum passed away. I never thought I would be an orphan at 27.

NGAHIWI APANUI

Ngahiwi Apanui's mum worked up to 18 hours a day to make sure her kids got a good education.

MARTIN DALY

Martin Daly's wife, Linda, didn't let a battle with cancer stop her from spending her final months reaching out to help others.

My Dad never wanted to go and when I asked him if he was scared, he answered 'yes', and that still hurts.

KAUSHIKI ROY

He wasn't perfect - my Dad. Far from it. But he was still the best Dad in the world, writes Kaushiki Roy.

Belle had black hair and the tiniest toes. And in her 34 weeks of existence, she taught her mum about love.

BART COUPRIE

At the age of 36, my twin brother and I each held one of our mother's hands as her breathing slowly eased, and finally stopped.

CEE WINIANA

In a story for her Grandfather, Cee Winiana remembers family trips to the old whanau home.

The passing of Helen Davies' father last month left an empty space she can't imagine ever filling.

JAY GORDON

Jay Gordon's sister Kirsten taught the family patience, love and understanding in her short life.

DENISE WILSON

At 20 weeks early, baby Adam was born perfectly formed - only still.

MARCEL VAN LEEUWEN

Turning older than his late big brother is one of those weird life moments, Marcel van Leeuwen writes.

DAVID CASSIDY

Twenty-year-old Sarah's tough fight against skin cancer right until her last day shows real strength isn't physical, her brother writes.

Sarah McCook-Weir remembers the big brother who looked after her, until everything suddenly fell apart.