THE TALE OF a life doesn’t always start at the beginning, and sometimes it has to venture beyond the end. In between is a lot of awkwardness about changing physicality and impending mortality.

Such ideas wafted around in the back of my mind in the pre-dawn chill as light and warmth welcomed me through the sighing hospital doors. The day-to-day busyness was yet to fully develop as I walked past the receptionist secured in her booth. She smiled at me with a knowing nod.