I came across the following moving story
A dying grandmother was granted a final wish of seeing her favourite horse one last time – after the animal was brought to visit her in her hospital bed.
Sheila Marsh, a 77-year-old grandmother-of-four, passed away from cancer just hours after the horse, named Bronwen, was brought to see her at Wigan Royal Infirmary.
Mrs Marsh, who had raised the horse over 25 years since it was a foal, was wheeled outside the hospital for the meeting.
Their last encounter was captured in a moving photograph that shows the horse nuzzling up against her.
Gail Taylor, bereavement liaison specialist nurse at the hospital, said: “We listened and acted on Mrs Marsh’s last wishes.
“Sheila gently called to Bronwen and the horse bent down tenderly and kissed her on the cheek as they said their last goodbyes.”
Mrs Marsh’s family arranged for the horse to visit her after her condition deteriorated.
Mrs Marsh, who lived in Bickershaw, Wigan, had a life-long affiliation with horses and used to work at Haydock Park Racecourse.
Her daughter Tina, 33, said: “She loved her horses and she loved and adored all animals. She had six horses, three dogs, three cats and other animals.
“Her condition did not get any better and the hospital allowed us to bring Bronwen in. It was a matter of hours later that she passed away. I want to thank the hospital and all the nurses.
“I was crying my eyes out and all the nurses were crying too. She took comfort out of it and it was a beautiful moment.
“It was very important for my mum. She was one of the most hard-working people that you could meet and she would do anything for anyone.”
Thought on Sunday – November – 09/11/2014
Thought For The Week
‘We believe that all the ties of friendship and affection which knit us as one throughout our lives do not end with death. Confident that God always remembers the good we have done and forgives our sins, let us pray, asking God to gather our loved ones to eternal life.’ ~Prayer of the Church for those who have died
We have just begun our journey through November. Traditionally it is a month when we remember and pray for those who have died. Some might say that such a tradition is morbid and outdated. But evidence at ground level would say that for many people it is a hugely important tradition. Many find it comforting and consoling to have prayers for their loved ones said. Many more find it comforting to visit the grave of a loved one, light a candle, bring some flowers, say a quiet prayer or flick through a photo album to touch in on memories. How we mark this month of November in remembering those who have died is always going to be personal. Whatever works for us is good. The one common link we all have is the loss and how we miss our nearest and dearest. The loss often goes beyond words and November is a month when we can find meaningful ways of expressing this loss. Our prayers for those who have died is also a good thing. In prayer we stand in God’s presence and in praying for those who have died we are in some way connected with them. Our nearest and dearest who have gone on before us, will always have a special place in our hearts. They will never be forgotten. May they rest in peace.
