[jyl]

My wife is a “death doula”, which is like a birth doula, but at the other end of life. She has helped about 15 persons and their families cope with the dying process with as much comfort and peace as possible. I don’t know anyone who has seen so many people take the final trip. She tells me that people often choose their time to go. After they’ve seen an important loved one, is not uncommon. Also it is common for a dying person to have one last day when they feel better and have some energy. A friend of ours is in hospice now, showing all the signs of imminent death. His son arrived from Brazil yesterday, and after Dick sees his son, he will probably go. Not making any real point here. Dying is part of life, a solemn and profound part, we do everything we can to make our loved ones’ last trip comfortable and caring, and then we don’t forget them.