Wonderful thread, Joe. Great advice. Megan, that brought tears to my eyes. Thank you. Even tho many might know intuitively what you, not long windedly but, eloquently said with demonstrative examples, citing those examples reinforces the need to try anything that has the inkling of a chance to work, no matter how "silly" it might seem.

As for talking about someone within earshot, I witnessed this at my uncle's deathbed last fall the last three times I visited and I was upset by it but couldn't say anything about it. I chose to try to change the conversation with a story about the time he and I were fishin or huntin or visitin so-and-so. Even told some of the stories he told me... got some smiles and nods from him and he opened his eyes and looked at me a few times.