I have spent a sad week in another city.
Youngest beautiful daughter was having a difficult time coping with the critical illness of a friend. Her friend, Fiona, suffered from Multiple Sclerosis - at 31 years of age, she was not expected to live.
She was moved to a hospice last Monday, after 6 months in hospital. She could not speak or swallow, and there was nothing else that our amazing medical practitioners could do for her.
My daughter had had "sleep-overs" with her at the hospital, and at the hospice, she had been amazingly strong and had given wonderful support to the family, but needed a little support for herself.
Sadly Fiona passed away last Sunday night, surrounded by her loving family. She is now at peace - no more pain for her - the pain remains for those who loved her.
I can only pray that they can take comfort from knowing that she is at ease now, and that all her beloved animals who went before her, were there to welcome her home.
A few weeks ago my daughter had contacted me to say that Fiona was "always cold" - and we decided that maybe she needed a quilt. I had enough of the colours that Fo loved, so managed to whip up a simple quilt in 48 hours, and express posted it to them. I don't think that Fiona knew much about it all, but I am glad that her family got some comfort from the simple gesture.
Quilts have a hug in every stitch - there are many, many stitches - so that is a lot of hugs and a lot of warmth. When I was visiting at the hospice, I was glad to see it there on her bed, and to know that I had helped to keep this lovely young woman warm, in her last days on this earth.
MS is a cruel disease - I pray that there will be a cure one day.
