Watched them take their last breath

I watched my my grandparent and pet pass away and take their last breath as I watched. This was years ago and I still remember that image as I held them. Is watching someone take their last breath traumatic or more saddening than just finding out they passed away?

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ImpeccablyImperfect · 51-55, F

I was with my grandma as she took her last breath. It was actually quite peaceful and somehow comforting to me, that I was there. I’m certain grandpa showed up to collect her, because she suddenly opened her eyes, looking up at the wall, and gasped…I was holding her hand and I asked her “what is it? Is it grandpa? It’s okay, you can go with him”

And she closed her eyes, did a tiny shudder and exhaled, her whole body relaxing.
Moments later, she gave the ‘death rattle’ and the nurse assured me she had passed.

I miss her, but I feel blessed to have been there to help her pass over.

Fifidog · 26-30, F

@ImpeccablyImperfect thank you for your comment as at the time I had felt more peaceful knowing I was there with them. What was the grieving process like for you after that? 3 years passed and I still cry about it often

ImpeccablyImperfect · 51-55, F

@Fifidog honestly, I don’t cry over it. I know they are together and at peace (if not utterly happy!)
I’ll expound a little more, if that’s okay…that night, as I lay in bed I was watching the shadows of the trees on the wall. I was just thinking about my grandma and suddenly the trees’ shadows started swaying more, kind of morphing into shapes…I kid you not, the shadows moved around and I suddenly could [i][b]‘see’[/b][/i] my grandma and grandpa together, both of them on a San Francisco trolley, holding on but hanging out the side, smiling huge grins and waving at me.
So I feel no sadness. They are good.

Fifidog · 26-30, F

@ImpeccablyImperfect that is amazing thank you for sharing that with me. It’s comforting to know they are happy!