Night

Its 11.45 PM. 20 minutes ago I was just about to go to sleep - the last in a slumbering household.

Then the phone rang.

It was Mr. Anmol's sister. She wanted to talk to Sheba.

I went into the bedroom and woke up Sheba.

Mr. Anmol may be breathing his last. His sister wanted Sheba to come over. Sheba got ready to go.

Mr. Anmol is a 60+ year old bachelor. He has HIV. He is dying of cancer. He lives with his spinster sister of a similar age. They have another sister living close by too.

I went out into the dark night - over to the JSK Centre to pick up Sheba's steth and the death certificate book. By the time I was back Sheba had already called Sunita - and was ready to go down.

Asha woke up in all of this and hovered around.

A short prayer - and Sheba is out of the house. Walking to meet Sunita down-stairs. They will take an auto-rickshaw over to Mr. Anmol's flat. To be with him in his last moments. To be with his sister. To pray and be with them.

Its been an exhausting day for Sheba. We started our CANA training today. A large number of patients came to the clinic. We had our monthly HIV positive support group meeting this afternoon.

And now off again - after 20 mins of sleep.

Lord have mercy on Mr. Anmol - in his final moments. We know that he is safe in the arms of Jesus. Pray for Sheba and Sunita as they are with Mr. Anmol as he transitions from this life to the next - and for his sister who will be left behind for a little longer at least.

And Lord give Sheba a double portion of sleep - and energy to teach the 20 odd people from North India who have come for the CANA training tomorrow.