When mum was dying after her stroke, the elderly lady a few beds down was drifting in and out of consciousness yet it was plain for all to see that even when unconscious something was upsetting her.

I spent many years teaching first aid so felt I had to talk to her daughters one day when i heard them discussing how poorly she was at her bedside, they hadn't understood that she could hear what they were saying. (a fact later confirmed when she awoke and asked them how a certain grandson was getting on since his accident, which had happened after she had been brought in to hospital.)

We got talking about their mums past it turned out she was at every service at the local chapel every day. I looked at their mother and asked where her rosary was to be told it was at home since she was unconscious and didn't need it. It made me wonder and I asked them to bring it in.

Next day they arrived with the rosary and draped it over her fingers. Suddenly their apparently unconscious mother's fingers twitched and her lips silently moved a passing nurse looked at her monitor then came closer to check again all her vital signs had calmed down.

I saw the same thing with Aunt Celeste when she was at home her bible was on a table by her chair and though she could no longer go to church she read it every time she sat down. When she ended up in hospital her sight was to bad and her health to frail for her to read. By the time we managed to get of the island and travel down to her she was very fractious though no longer fully conscious. I asked the nurses if there was a Gideons bible in the ward and spent a lot of time over the next few days just opening it at random and reading to her. One of my brothers had taken her cat to look after so my oldest brother searched the town and found a soft toy cat, which looked realistic, he placed it under her hands and she began stroking it. Once again people were amazed at how she calmed and finally slipped easily away.

I guess what I am long windedly trying to say is do not underestimate the comfort to be found in the familiar. Also do not be afraid to try what some might call the silly e.g. a teddy bear or a doll. Bear in mind how children use them as someone to talk to when frightened or even just needing to sort out something in their lives. To a child the doll or soft toy offers unconditional love and an unending and unjudgemental ear.

Keep singing and playing for her she is a captive audience (Grin) seriously though it obviously brings peace.

Thinking of you all
Awra best
Frae
Meg