As a matriarch's days draw to a close, a vision comes calling

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Retweeted by David Fahrenthold: https://twitter.com/fahrenthold

Mine today, on what many dying people see.
As a matriarch’s days draw to a close, a vision comes calling. https://www.statnews.com/2017/10/10/visions-end-of-life/ … @statnews

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As a matriarch’s days draw to a close, a vision comes calling

By BOB TEDESCHI @bobtedeschi OCTOBER 10, 2017

In the winter of 2010, 90-year-old Helen Budzinski described what she saw, which no one else could see. ... A blond girl, age 5 or so, at the foot of her bed. Then twin girls. Then a pair of boys named Michael and David. ... Helen’s stroke in October sharpened what had been a slow decline. Her granddaughter, Jocelyn Pappas, whom she raised, now served as Helen’s full-time caregiver at Jocelyn’s home in rural Connecticut.

On Monday morning, Dec. 20, with darkness shrouding the woods outside the window, Jocelyn placed a hand on the back of her grandmother’s blue floral nightgown and eased her upright.

“Oh, you work so hard for me, Jocelyn,” Helen said.

“I only work hard for you, Nana.”

“You only have to work five more days,” she said. “I got my ticket.”

“What do you mean, your ticket?”

Helen said she would be leaving this world at 4 a.m. on Friday. “They’re coming for me.”
....

About the Author

Bob Tedeschi

Senior Writer, Patients

Bob Tedeschi covers the patient experience for STAT, while also focusing on end-of-life issues. He previously covered technology, business, personal finance and a range of other topics for The New York Times.

[e-mail]

@bobtedeschi

[Kittycow]

1. I hope this phenomenon is true...

I secretly wish that my late son will appear to me at the end of my life to escort me over to the other side.

But then I read articles that claim that these visions are created by a dying brain and my little bubble is burst.

[MuseRider]

2. Don't let it burst.

Even if it is a vision created by a dying brain it does not matter. Once you see your late son waiting for you nothing more will matter than that. I have witnessed more deaths than many, I have lost most of my family and the fact that I was an ICU nurse. I have seen a lot of things and heard people say a lot of things. Mostly they have been comforting. My mother saw people for several days, she could not say who they were but they comforted her.

[Kittycow]

3. Your reply is very comforting in itself.

Thank you.

When I tended the dying as a CNA in a nursing home and was there at the moment of death as well as (lovingly) washing their bodies, it seemed like a light, spirited-filled room. It was tangible in a way that I can't explain, really.

Thank you for the work you do; it can be such a sacrifice but it's so important.

[MuseRider]

4. I retired long ago

but I miss it. I think attending a death is a privilege. Often beautiful. Sad yes, but important to many that they not die alone. Thank you for what you do. I imagine you feel the same about the loving care that can be offered as someone slowly transitions to whatever is beyond if anything. An old woman once asked me to open the window a crack so her spirit could fly free. After that I always did it. It seemed nice.

Not being religious it is hard to say what I think about all of it. Still we think from this side so who knows. If nothing else there are things that happen to our minds that make the passage easier for so many. Again, if nothing else we have memories that can create that experience.

I so hope you find your son. I am hoping for my brother who was the best person I have ever known. If nothing else I cling to the old Rainbow Bridge. Oddly that gives me as much comfort as anything. I have a farm and ranch so you can imagine....lol.

People who died under your care were very lucky. Too many are not loving or caring, just prepping for making the body ready to move. I find it so sad.

[Kittycow]

5. I'm guiding my elderly cat to Rainbow Bridge at the moment.

She has a mast cell tumor in her spleen and we're just making her comfortable. She's still engaging in life so it's a waiting game. I was thinking DU members should form an Honor Guard of all their animals who're already at Rainbow Bridge to escort our newbies over

I'm long retired too cuz I blew out my back from all the heavy lifting as a CNA. I miss it too. It is a privilege but evidently has to be a calling to see that.

You're really a good writer. very expressive and thoughtful. Thank you for your kind words. Your nurturing nurse's heart is still at work

[MuseRider]

6. All my best thoughts to you

as you ease your kitty to the bridge. That is so hard. Warm and gentle hugs to you and your sweet kitty.

I think we are born this way. I see the same thing with your writing. right back. Most people can do it when they have to but some of us are OK doing it whenever it is needed.