The Very Final Chapter Before I Close the Book

I had thought last night that there was no more to say, or that I wanted to say with regard to Leonor. The last thing she heard me say was: "You are our darling, much loved Leonor. We will be here to see you tomorrow".

This morning, in an electric psychic moment in which I thought of sending an e-mail to a couple, I opened the mail-box and found the following, which I will translate into English after:
"Sentimos realmente muito a ausência da doçura que era a D. Leonor, tanto como os carinhos e AMOR que lhe eram dados pelos filhos. Na enfermaria o ar que se respira já nãoé o mesmo. Falta talvez, não sei, a Alegria, o Querer Acreditar...e a UNIÂO que transbordava, incendiando todos nós.
Sentidos pêsames para vocês.
Um ABRAÇO muito forte dos vossos colegas de enfermaria.
Deolinda e Telémaco
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We feel really strongly the absence of the sweetness that was Dona leonor, as much as the tenderness and LOVE that were given to her by her children. In the ward, the air we breathe is no longer the same. What's missing is maybe, I don't know, the joy, the desire to BELIEVE...and the UNION that transcended, firing all of us.
Our condolences to you.
A very strong HUG from your mates in the ward.
Deolinda and Telémaco.
D & T are a married couple whom we even found time to befriend last week. Deolinda's mother occupies the bed in front of where Leonor lay for her final 7 days. Both arrived in the hospital on the same day. Her mother is giving her cause for much anxiety. On Monday evening, I had thought of howthey would react on seeing that none of us were there anymore. Fortunately, we had exchanged e-mail addresses. For a day & a half, my Sherlock Homes instincts had led me to wonder if they or Deolinda's mother had observed anything of what happened to Leonor on Monday afternoon. that's why I had intended to write this morning.
I have - with Deolinda's authorisation - transcribed her mail here, because I can think of no better way of closing this than by showing you the words of 2 people who witnessed some of the scenes I wrote about last week and reacted as she describes, without us even knowing. Best of all, somebody witnessed and confirmed what I could not two nights ago - thast this was not about suffering, but a celebration of love. If you, the "great artist" should return here & read this, then think a little, then try to allow a little light into the locked drawer in your heart labelled "Shame". Not for my benefit, I don't want to know; but for yourself. I read these words and, spontaneously, my emotions overwhelmed me and I cried here, alone,strongly. In humility and in grief.
So tonight, yes, I returned to the hospital alone, went to the ward, saw that bed with its new occupant, but found Deolinda, her mother & husband. Outside, we talked for 2 hours. As a result, we now finally know that Leonor died peacefully, serenely, in her sleep. I am glad we exchanged e-mail addresses. They are great, sincere, sensitive, intelligent people well worth knowing.
These 3 pics were taken on Sunday, me playing with 3 of my own framed pictures. I enjoyed myself doing that.