By reading what you wrote over a couple of times it is unclear to me if your Aunt is still with us here on earth? I hated to ask that, but didn't you say she was almost 104 years old?

Oh Susie, don't hate to ask ... I edited the description because it rambled off on a reminiscence and I missed moving that bit! Edna died peacefully in her sleep, early on Christmas Eve morning 2 years ago - she had been poorly for a couple of weeks and having by then almost lost her hearing she was very frightened that she might have to be moved to hospital - a strange place where she would be disorientated. We were thankful that she didn't have to suffer that indignity and she had someone with her at the end of her earthly path.

With a life long faith and having been a lay-preacher on the Methodist circuit in Leeds (Northern England) it seemed somehow a fitting timing for her to end that journey. I think she would have liked this arrangement of the hymn I have quoted from "O Love that wilt not let me go" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raPIOiye14c&feature=related

And the reason I say "don't hate to ask"? well she was the most down to earth of people and non of the politically correct nonsense which so often gets in the way of understanding - she was not visually impaired she was blind and we knew from an early age that she watched television and read books just like we did. She was direct - we knew never to move anything in her flat and never to leave anything of ours lying around; if we didn't guide her correctly and she stumbled she would gently retrain us. She was supposed to carry her white cane, to help her navigate obstacles ... on one occasion she was asked where it was and she indicated her handbag. When taken to task she said that she knew her way without it; and she didn't see it as a problem if the people she encountered didn't realise she was blind.

... and yes this is bringing back memories and I am shedding a few tears - but tears of deep gratitude; it was a great privilege to grow up being shown that debility does not in itself have to be disabling ... and in one of life's ironies I now have a job enabling citizens to live more independently for longer ... little did I know two years ago, when we said our goodbyes, how much this woman would continue to influence me!