In the medical community there is a phenomenon known as agonal breathing. This occurs in several different forms, but the most startling and sometimes shocking, is when a person has stopped breathing, is thought to have died, and then several seconds later takes a last breath or a few last breaths. It's upsetting to the family, and even though I have seen it many times, it never fails to surprise me. It has been discussed in the medical community and the responses to it are varied, including full blown resusitation, but usually it is recognized as a reflex action, and explained to the family that way. This event occured when my father died and when I was making this piece, I thought about the life force, or soul, or spirit, whatever term you use, as passing on.
5 comments:
Very powerful! I was not aware of this phenomenon, but I have never witnessed a passing.
When I was younger, and a patient died, I was more focused on the physical tasks that needed to be done. It took me a while to focus on the spiritual aspect of the event, and over time I came to appreciate that I was a witness to something amazing.
A powerful image and a most evocative title. Thank you for sharing this with us.
That was me - let's try again. Go to my blog and scroll down to May 1 if this link doesn't work. The synchronicty is incredible!
http://studio78notes.blogspot.com/2009/05/end-of-long-week.html
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