Oh, Ian, no need to apologise for seeking out more information about something we all face.

I have worked in nursing homes and hospitls where people often didn't make any sense. I very rarely encountered a person who had this ability. There was one woman who'd had a stroke, but she was in her 60's, fully cognizant of life around her, time frame, etc. She could only say "oh gawd" and she would laugh at herself everytime because she knew it made no sense in answer to such questions as "do you want a bath now" but it was all she was able to articulate.

As for my aunt, my guess is it probably isn't that rare for people to have moments of lucidity, but I don't think they often realise the rest of the time they are not making sense. Maybe someone who is more up to date in working with thelderly will come in and give us some more info.

She would say things such as "I'm only getting paid 3 cents per hour. I don't think that's fair and I don't want to work for that anymore. Then my cousin would say "It's okay, Mom. You've done well with your money and there is no need for you to work for 3 cents an hour, anymore." Or, Aunt Ruth would say "I have to go teach, now." Then she'd just get this impish kind of look, giggle and say that about not making much sense.

I think she had such a need to be in control, at all times, and the strength of will to go with it, that this may have facilitated her having that awareness where someone else may not. She may have used that iron will to boss others, but she expected no less from herself.

Personally, in addition to that above, I believe it was her higher consciousness which *came through* and allowed her to kind of watch herself from a distance, then to make the lucid comments. So that she was kind of "beside herself" observing; then within and coherent for a short time. I believe, from experience, that people who are ready to transition often take a walk on the other side and in the past, reliving certain moments and also preparing for their passing by checking out the new *digs.* In her case, I think her stubborness and fear of death kept her poor old body going longer than need be and that while that was happening, her spirit knew it was time and went travelling.

Of course, some doctor may come in here and tell us it all has to do with which synapses are firing in the brain, but I'd still believe in the spiritual side of it, regardless.:-)

Hope this makes some kind of sense. Thanks for asking!

kat