JackwicJ: I never meant to generalise. I am sorry if it sounded that way. My mother died in hospital last January. In the month or so preceding, she was confused and somewhat combative because of constant pain and embarrassment at her body's betrayal. This was NOT the way any of us wanted her to go, nor she, but there was no other choice. My only sister who lived in the same town had a job she had to keep, a teen son to raise alone and she did everything she could to make mom comfortable at home and in hospital.

Mom went in for a fairly routine surgery; they said it went well and she would be home in a few days. This was to repair something that had kept her in misery in and out of the hospital for several months. The Monday, after her Thursday surgery, the hospital called my sister in the very early morning. Mom was failing fast, she should come. By the time she got there mom was gone. I think she just got tired of fighting to be here and was tired of the pain. When my sister called me before rushing to the hospital, I immediately went into my sanctum altar and began to pray, asking that she either recover swiftly and wholly or go quickly and peacefully. I imagined myself there with her,telling her it was okay to let go. We, her kids, would be okay. It felt as though I was successful in astral projection; as though I was really there. I also *saw* that she was talking to all of her family who'd gone on; they were there waiting for her. One, her beloved brother who died in a bicycle accident when she was just 16 and I think he was 17 or 18, was there. She had loved him so much and missed him dearly. I am convinced her fear of death was lifted at that moment, that she really did let go of the pain and the concern about us and did let go, greeted with open arms and comfort by all of her dear brothers and her mom and "pop". Still miss her, but I am so grateful that she is done with the pain and worry which so filled her last few years. I, too, gave thanks for her passing.

kat