24 Answers

Three times, and believe me it,s something that you,ll NEVER forget.

Life goes on though.

Both parents.        :(

Both, my parents, my grandparens, my husband and many people during the war in Germany. Very sad and hauting memories.

Colleen

Ann, you've seen so much more and lost so much more than the most of us. I admire your strength and ability to still care about people without question of where they come from.

Yes, all my great grandparents.

My grandfather who lived with me. I took care of him for his last 5 years. I was there at his bedside holding his hand, stroking his hair and talking to him while he took his final breathes. He was never alone outside of my bathroom breaks or when I took care of the pets. I stayed with him because he meant so much to me that I needed to share in this next journey of his as best as I could.

Colleen

Mine thanked me for letting him go. He so wanted to see his Poppy (my grandmother) again. It was hard but at the same time, I felt at peace because he wanted to go and I loved him enough to let him go. I had called in hospice two weeks prior at his request. I could have said no and kept him longer but I couldn't do that to him. He was ready and his Poppy was waiting.......
I will see him again. This I know.

Colleen

Thank you B.M. I was so thankful I was able to share the experience with him.

Colleen

Yes mycatsmom and I was a good granddaughter. How are your feral cats by the way? Still locked in the basement? Out of sight out of mind? How is the diseased one? Been to see a vet yet?

Colleen

Ann, it's a beautiful thing being able to have them at home. I feel sad for the people who do not have the ability to do this.

Colleen

Really? Not in the basement? Hmmm, so what about all the questions about them? The one who was missing the litter box and dedicating all over the place including the main floor and then basement. Not allowed upstairs because of the fleas, the fleas! The question about your cat getting up into the basement ceiling and making loud thumping noises. And.....well I have to check you other questions for the rest.....I know I'm not crazy. I've seen just about all your questions about your basement cats.

Yes, but depends how question is asked. reason

No.   I'm sure it will be difficult for me.

being that I was an LPN , I saw many people die. But, when my  mom died, the E R personel made me miss her dying by a few minutes, b/c they moved her to anoher room, and when I came back from the cafeteria, nobody seemed to know where she was. When I finally found her, she looked like she had just died a minute or two or three, before I came in . I wish I could have held her in my arms while she was dying, but at least I held her just after she died, adn she looked peaceful. I  told the male nurse I think my mom has just died, You better check her. He just  kept writing in a chart, and didn't look at me and didn't say anything. So, I told him again adn he didn't say anything......just went over to her, listened to her heart, and didn't say anything. I had to ask him if she died. He just shook his head yes, but barely perceptably.. I asked him if I could use the phone and he said yes......didn't even tell me there was a family room with a phone. Then I went to the main nurses desk in teh E R and told them my mother died......should I sign something ? The nurse at the desk looked shocked and clueless. Then, she said " Would you like to go in and see her ? She's still warm. "  I said no. It was she who told me about a familiy room that has a phone. so I went there and made a few phone calls, but nobody was home. I left and didn't know what to do . So, I went to the retirement home where she had lived an told them. It was dark and in Nov. of 2002  . I was alone in the hosp when my dad died too. That's a whole 'nother story

No, I can't  say that I have. But, I had been present just minutes after a man had hung himself. I found the bluish color of his face, and the fact that I knew and liked the guy to be disturbing. He had been going through a divorce, and having a hard time of it.

My Step father died of cancer when I was 12, I was lucky enough not to have to face death at that time when I knew I couldn't handle it. I think it's very hard on children, I thank God that I didn't see my Dad die that day. Since then I haven't had anyone close to me pass away, at least when I'm in the same state. Death is a serious thing to witness and burns in our memories for a lifetime.

No, hopefully it does not happen.

yes,at the hospital.

Yes twice, my mother and my father in law, something strange happens, and you never forget.

country bumpkin

What do you mean by strange?

Yes.

A young soldier who had been shot in the chest, not a thing I could do about it, and I was supposed to be his "superior" Officer.

Not very superior was I ?

My sister died whilst I held her at age 88. I whispered to her "it is ok to go, you have been a wonderful sister but let go if you want. God is waiting for you"

As most know I am A non believer but my sister was a firm committed christian and I was not about to pooh pooh her beliefs at that time.

I have had other experiences but these two are the most "memorable"

I felt hopeless and useless at age 22 with the soldier, but life goes on, I had sworn to do a job and I went on and kept doing it.

I felt proud and privileged to be with my sister when I was 77 and the pulse in her neck stopped under my fingers.

Yes, many.  So many of them had a far away glaze to their eyes..I'm convinced they were seeing things that I could not...perhaps a glorious white light?  Some started babbling to people who had passed before them...people greeting them to help them 'cross over' ?  A few seemed to be looking at me..I tried my hardest to have warm and honest eyes looking back.  Being in battle, as you were, would, of course, be different.  thank you for serving as we say in the States!!!!!!

I was in my mid twenty's.I decided to walk (which I never do) to my friends house several blocks away. An ambulance was double parked in the street and they were about to place an elderly man into the rear of the ambulance I noticed his eyes were closed and appeared to be sleeping or unconscious. His face was not covered so I assumed he was not dead. As I walked past the gurney, he open his eyes and looked straight at me and a huge smile appeared on his face. He lifted his arm as if to shake my hand, I took his hand in mine and what seemed to be only for a few seconds his eyes closed and I felt the life leave his body. His hand went limp. I realized suddenly the attendants were just standing there and watching me. They pulled the sheet over his face and left. That event has stayed with me till today. Although the passing of a loved one is very disturbing, that incident still is very clear. 

I've seen several people pass and they talk to the ceiling or look at the ceiling and smile. I believe that the time right before death we are being introduced to a new world and can communicate with it. It's really a special moment when you see that happen before your eyes.

I've seen too many.

being that I was an LPN , I saw many people die. But, when my  mom died, the E R personel made me miss her dying by a few minutes, b/c they moved her to anoher room, and when I came back from the cafeteria, nobody seemed to know where she was. When I finally found her, she looked like she had just died a minute or two or three, before I came in . I wish I could have held her in my arms while she was dying, but at least I held her just after she died, adn she looked peaceful. I  told the male nurse I think my mom has just died, You better check her. He just  kept writing in a chart, and didn't look at me and didn't say anything. So, I told him again adn he didn't say anything......just went over to her, listened to her heart, and didn't say anything. I had to ask him if she died. He just shook his head yes, but barely perceptably.. I asked him if I could use the phone and he said yes......didn't even tell me there was a family room with a phone. Then I went to the main nurses desk in teh E R and told them my mother died......should I sign something ? The nurse at the desk looked shocked and clueless. Then, she said " Would you like to go in and see her ? She's still warm. "  I said no. It was she who told me about a familiy room that has a phone. so I went there and made a few phone calls, but nobody was home. I left and didn't know what to do . So, I went to the retirement home where she had lived an told them. It was dark and in Nov. of 2002  . I was alone in the hosp when my dad died too. That's a whole 'nother story

Goes with the job. But emotional never the less I'm sure.

No, but I was called by police late one night to identify 2 bodies, that of my best friend. and that of the man that had murdered her, both in coroners  vehicles at her home, something that has haunted me for years and probably will for years to come

country bumpkin

I suppose you're speaking of a murder-suicide. We had a Valentine's Day murder suicide occur here over 20 years ago. The girl was my next door neighbor and we attended the same school. Why do people turn something so beautiful(love) into such a tragedy!

What a very special and exclusive, inclusive moment to be a part of.  You are seeing the living world and the transition to the world beyond at the same time.   That's incredibly special!!

NO,...and , surprisingly, I have never questioned or wondered about this specific question.  I've always just taken the word of those that have,...perhaps afraid to experience it first-hand for myself,  thus far!!