Death can be beautiful, they say. Here's a quite moving story by British expat writer Michael Wright, who stayed with a frail widow friend for her last few hours on earth, in a hospital room, holding her hand, talking and singing hymns. Excerpts:
"The nurse-assistant tiptoes away, and we are alone amid the bleeping black boxes, their digital displays blinking like time-bombs. At first, conscious of the seconds ticking away, I tumble through all the things I think Laura needs to hear, if she can hear me at all. I explain how many people are thinking of her, how I have been to her house and seen that it is clean and tidy, her son has been kept informed, and that there is nothing to worry about, because everything is being looked after for her."
" 'Laura, if you can hear me, please squeeze my hand,' I whisper. And suddenly everything changes as, in my fingertips, I feel a tiny, almost imperceptible twitch"
"....'Laura,"'I continue, 'you have been so very brave.' Another twitch in my palm. 'And now the worst is nearly over, and you're almost there. So I want you to know, on behalf of everyone who loves you, that you really are free to go. Please don't be frightened. I'm here, holding your hand, and soon you won't be alone any more.' "
It was an enviable death. Please read the whole thing.
we should all be so blessed...
Posted by: ultraguy | February 28, 2009 at 10:02 PM