Our next-door neighbor, Dot, died two days ago. She was elderly and very ill - bed-ridden and barely able to speak for the last several months of her life. We were so aware of all the comings and goings while she was sick - nurses, family, friends, doctors, her priest, so many people each day. There was a sense of anxiety about it all - we were hoping she was receiving the care needed to make her comfortable, that she wasn't suffering..... The terrible thing was that her family left her totally alone each night. It was at her request - she was one of those mothers who hated even the thought of being a burden on her children - and each night they would ask her if she wanted them to stay. Each night she would tell them, "No." They had to lean close to even hear. I can say nothing more about this except that it was a source of pain and concern to us, as her neighbors, and to her friends.
Now that she is gone there is a certain peace. It is quiet - the house is empty for the first time in years. Not cleared out yet - that will come later. But empty. Even so - Dot herself is part of the reality of this place....there is a presence that I do not understand.
