Golden Girl,
Hi hun, just wondering how you are holding out.
I was with my great aunt when she passed away. She had no children, never married and my grandparents had passed away. Me and my sister were the only ones who lived in the area and who were able to help her.
She was a very sweet woman, treated us like her own. When she began having strokes and falling, she knew it was time she was placed in a nursing home. I had her name put on waiting lists for the nicest ones in our area and she was lucky enough to get into a wonderful one near her home. Her only request was to have a nice view out of her window. Poor thing, she never wanted much. She grew up on my great grandparents farm and never moved out. I think the thought of staring at a parking lot during her last days was depressing for her.
She lived peacefully for months. The nursing home had pets, birds, tropical fish aquariums and a friendly cat who visited her often and brought tears to her eyes. We visited, brought her gifts, flowers and anything she needed to help her live comfortably.
One night the nurse called me at home and told me that she was very restless and that the nurses were sitting with her but she had asked if I could come. I arrived and she wasnt well. She had been filling up with fluids and her lungs were too weak to be suctioned. I helped her cough up what she could, but it only allowed for a few deeps breaths.
We spent the entire night hugging, praying, crying and talking about old times. When we ran out of words, I turned on some classical music to get her mind off what was happening to her.
She went from being scared, to actually wanting to die. Many times she pulled her oxygen mask off and asked God to take her. She would become Confused at times and asked me how many cows I owned and told me not to forget to do my chores. So sweet, I just agreed with her and smiled. She began talking to a woman whos name I didnt recognize. I found out later that she had been speaking with a distant relative who had passed away many years ago.
I could tell that she really just didnt want to be alone. It was a very hard night, seemed like an eternity. I knew she was going to die but I believe she was waiting for her sister to arrive. She was being driven up from 600 miles away. I felt awful but I prayed for each breath to be her last because she was struggling so much.
The paster came in to visit since she had requested this a week prior. He began talking and praying with us. After praying, he told her that Jesus is comming for her and not to be afraid, that he has a place prepared for her and she can go with him. She was barly breathing but was still touching his hand. As soon as he finished his prayer, she stopped breathing.
I sat there in shock, its almost like she needed to be told that it was ok. Her suffering was scarey to the both of us, but her death was the most peaceful thing I had witnessed in my entire life.
People will argue with me, but I honestly believe that she is ok now. Everyone in my family was so upset for me, some thought I would need therapy after witnessing her death. I couldnt understand why, I am so happy I was able to be there for her and I dont feel traumatized by it at all.
I miss her, but I wasnt nearly as upset as everyone else was at the funeral. My JW uncle was talking about how "death is the enemy", and "how evil it is". I disagreed with him. He looked at me like I was crazy, but I expained to him that I believe that it was her reward, living was her enemy because she was suffering so much.
I then told my entire J.W. family that I saw her listen to the priest when he told her to go with Jesus and they looked at me like I was a freak.
I know it could have just been a huge coincidence, but what I saw was very real to me. I have an entirely different view of death now, than when I was a witness.
I believe that there is a better place, wherever that is, and it is much more peaceful there, then on this earth, where we have to struggle so much.
You have lots of prayers comming your way.
I feel for you and your husband,
Take care.
