Last Walk

Photogrief / Photogrief : Eleanor Haley


This essay is a part of WYG's PhotoGrief project. The goal of the PhotoGrief project is to create a space where people can explore and express their grief through pictures. Learn more about the project here.


by Mark Luyten

My brother-in-law died of pancreatic cancer a few weeks ago.  A few hours after his death, my wife and I walked through these woods as we did a few weeks before with Ludo on his last walk.

When Ludo passed this spot he was very tired and hesitated. Should he go over it or around. He looked me in the eyes and then walked around the log. Later that day he went to bed and didn't come out of it again.

It took him more than a month to die. He chose palliative sedation, he didn't have any physical pain and he remained conscious until a few hours before his death. Our contact with him was authentic, lucid and honest. This process gave us strength; it made us think about life and death and quality of life. We are grateful.


We invite you to share your experiences, questions, and resource suggestions with the WYG community in the discussion section below.

We invite you to share your experiences, questions, and resource suggestions with the WYG community in the discussion section below.

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