Thank you all for your support. Your words of encouragement are very comforting. It has been a rough day here at work, as I have been thinking of Maria all day.

Slick, I appreciate what you said about no one dying alone as the angels are there! When I was younger, my Grandfather had a heart attack at our house on Christmas Eve. When I went to see him in the hospital, he told me that he had died. I told him he was alive, and he then explained that during the attack, the angels were with him, and said, "Hello Mr. ______, and welcome to Heaven." But it wasn't his time. He died a few months after that. I had forgotten about that, until you reminded me Slick. Thank you.

Rie Rie.... what a touching story of your helping the elderly person. And how sad, but all too often true that once she died, a relative shows up! We see and hear about that here. Often, the children of our staff members help with fundraisers, and with the many extra things that we all do for our seniors on our own time.... and we know that we are instilling in the children the need to respect and care for our elders. They may be mean and demanding, but it is usually because they are hurting! They may not have a lot to say, but it is usually because they are not used to having people around and have forgotten how to carry on a conversation! Or it could be the opposite. They may be so lonely that they talk incessantly.

Again, thank you all for your kind comments. I am going to check on the kitty tonight. I believe it actually belongs to a neighbor, but I will ask if the kitty needs to be re-homed. Of course, I will go by with a can of food!

Donna