Frankly I don't pray much either. As it says below somewhere or maybe it doesn't, but I'm somewhat of a pantheist: God is within us and in everything, so it would be rather pointless to pray. It has been said that people who are being prayed for and know about it recover faster. Not because God is helping them, but because they feel they are loved and feel happier and so recover faster. I did pray several times, but nothing ever happened: Omi died anyway, peace on earth is far from happening and Grandpa's eyes deteriorated nonetheless. It has to be said though that I nearly missed the train and I prayed and got it, but probably because I ran fast enough! Dunno what the effect on Granny would be. She reminds me of a restless puppy you are telling that if he sits still he'll get a bone. The dog doesn't care about later and doesn't know what you're saying (at least not as a puppy, he will do later!). She'd probably forget...
My mother went to see Grandpa's doctor behind his back to see what help they could get. With Grandpa it's always: "Why? Why? Why?" Yes, why can't he just accept help!? Why must he question everything? Why can't he see how much Carol really is doing? She's much more than a cleaner! If only your mother could persuade him. She's the favourite! If only she could be there too!
I thought Granny seemed quite with it on Sunday. I rang up to wish my mother a Happy Mother's Day and Granny said she was out and that she'd tell her I'd rung. She also knew that they were going to the golf club in the evening. She seemed so on the ball...
Listening is always important. People need to express their feelings (look who's talking!) and to tell you how they are doing. The problem is Grandpa seems to have a hard exterior, so I don't know how well he does on the "expressing his feelings'' front. Also he's a man and men are not supposed to show let alone talk about feelings! Well, that's what they say...
There is nothing we can do physically. We can't go there and administer drugs, we can't look after them and we can't organize anything. The only thing I'm saying is that if there is going to be a funeral, I'm going exams or no exams!