R.I.P. My Brother.

I sat with my brother, John, through his last three days & two nights, tending to little things like giving him sips of water, making sure he was comfortable, stroking his arms and head, moistening his mouth with a sponge dipped in water and letting the nurses know when he was in pain, then morphine would be increased till he had no pain at all.

I had always promised John, when he was first diagnosed with prostate cancer 6 years ago, that I would be with him at any stage of his illness - and there were a couple during the last 12 months - when help was needed and especially when the final time came and he would have a loved one with him for support. I am very happy to have been able to keep that promise.

In the very early hours of Monday morning as I held a glass of water to his lips, he said: "I wish death would hurry up; he's knocking at my door". I knew he was ready to let go and he did so, very quietly, at 2:00p.m. this afternoon.

I knew & loved my brother for my 76 of his 78 years...almost a century, not quite, but still a very long time.

Rest in Peace, John.