17 days to go.....

17 days to go, I will be in Paris, France to present my paper at the 19th World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics (July 5-9, 2009).

I will be presenting the topic on Loneliness and Lived Experiences of Elderly Individuals Living Independently: Hermeneutic Phenomenological Approach.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto her O Lord

Finally this woman whom I described in my recent posting passed away today at 3.25 PM. I always remember her beautiful smile, and when she was still speaking, she always said to me, "how...are..you?"

...it is sad and scary too...

"I am alone and I do not have any visitor to come and see me", tears dropped as this elderly woman shared with me.

Yes, this is very difficult especially a person has no visitor or relative coming to visit her/him.

...it is hard to see and to witness...

Today I saw at least three elderly individuals who were really in bad health. I visited one of them, who might be just waiting for the time for the Lord to take her.

By looking at her in bed with her eyes closed and pale face, I know she is already prepare to return to the Lord.

In her suffering may she be comforted. It is really hard to see and witness such incident "end of life."

...listening to their feelings!

Two women described and interpreted their feeling of loneliness:

"Loneliness is something about inner suffering inside. It is not physical; I just feel it inside" said by 67 year old woman.

Another 77 year old woman said, "This feeling is like missing someone and it is an emotional inner pain."

...searching for direction.

Alice a 71 year old woman said, "loneliness is similar to getting out of confusion and searching for direction."

...listen to the inner feeling!

As Alice states, "My body is changing and I am getting older. The situation of loneliness is unpleasant and I am said."

Time passing was a situation that has come upon Alice, without expectation. She feels a sense of despair.