My grandfater died about 8 years ago. I would take my daughter to visit him in the hospital. He was pretty out of it and didn't have long to go. Whenever he saw my little daughter he smiled ear to ear, but when I got close to him his facial expression became one of fear. I was totally confused, him and I always got along really well - was unsettling. Made me wonder if he was seeing something I wasn't aware of.
Any ideas?
2006-08-03 03:59:17 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have worked with Hospice patients for a while.....I don't think He was in fear of you.....I know that that can be something that would weigh on your mind...but it is a common behavior when one gets close to death ..they go in and out of reality at times...please don't take it personal...no one knows what he was seeing or thinking..but I would wager that it wasn't soemthing against you.....I'm sure your Father knew you loved him and he loved you too......sorry I couldn't help you much.....
2006-08-03 04:07:20 · answer #1 · answered by shiningon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my grandfather was very similar , would smile at some and not others and it did tend to be the younger members that made him more happier
i have thought about this alot and have came to the conclusion that when we are near death we let go slightly and get accustomed to the fact that this earth is wearing us down ...
the little children have still that fresh spirit , that newborn soul .. they are closer to spirit in many ways until they get burdened with life
perhaps like my grandfather , your grandfather seen the innocence and purity in the child and felt close to spirit/to heaven
with adults there is that physical thing isn't there , the burdens of life , the heaviness we carry around
I'm sure he loves you as much now as he ever did though but seeing the child was encouraging him to make that new journey to his next life xxx
2006-08-03 11:19:44 · answer #2 · answered by Peace 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was probably in a state of dementia and knew neither of you. He may have been smiling just because he saw a little child, not because he knew her and the sight of a grown person he didn't know startled him
Just a theory.
When a person is near death the brain releases many different chemicals.
I wouldn't concern yourself with it, just remember him in a good way.
2006-08-03 11:08:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
By working in the nursing field I've seen alot of this. Have you ever heard the saying once an adult and twice a child. When he saw your children it may not have been that he even remembered them but he just related more to them. And when he saw you you may have not looked familiar to him this is called dementia. So don't take it to heart.
2006-08-03 11:08:45 · answer #4 · answered by tlnay025 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only your grandfather could answer this question. Maybe that your daughter reminded him something cheerful in his past. Maybe that seeing an adult could remind him that his time is coming. I hear stories that before a person dies, that they can see death coming. Maybe that he really didn't see you, but an angel coming for him to meet his maker.
2006-08-03 11:10:53 · answer #5 · answered by mik21foreverus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When people have dementia they remember the past not what is happening now or yesterday. He probably thought you were an older stranger and thought your daughter was you. Hope all is well with you!
2006-08-03 11:07:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dad is similar. When their mind begins to slip, they get all confused. He may not have known who you were. Or he may have though you were some one else. My dad talks about things he did with his dad-but he was actually talking about me-he was mixed up. This happens a lot. Their brains get screwed up near the end.
2006-08-03 11:08:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your grandfather was in deep love with you, when he saw your daughter which i suppose is quite young as u have to take her with u, was pleased to see beautiful future. But when he saw you, he felt that you will realy miss him, and will be in remorse, which he didnt wanted. you were the one whom he loved very much and was in pain to see your future pain.
Tonight, before sleeping, tell him that you are happy with your life, but miss him very much, tell him u really mis his shoulders, as they were your support and you still want that support. Tell him that where ever he is, he should take care of your family. Tell him that you are goin to take care of your daughter, his wonderful future. Just tell him.
2006-08-03 11:08:46 · answer #8 · answered by KT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When in that condition, there was less blood to his brain, or things were not working correctly. That may have caused him not to recognize you, or hallucinate. My dog who loved me, once bit me. It did not understand, but I did not assume there was a demon on my hand he was going after.
2006-08-03 11:08:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well he was probably just really messed up from being about to die...maybe his vision was messed up...maybe you reminded him of a face he saw in Vietnam or wherever and never told you or reacted before...could have been a number of things!
2006-08-03 11:04:05 · answer #10 · answered by Billy C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋