My grandmother is nearly 89 years old, and her health is definitely failing. She doesn’t get around very well anymore, and not at all without her walker. Her eyesight is poor, and her memory isn’t what it once was.

Today, my mother found my grandmother slumped over in her chair, and completely unresponsive. She was breathing, but would respond to no amount of shouting or shaking. An ambulance was called and my grandmother was rushed to the hospital, where she was subjected to a battery of medical tests. These tests included much poking, prodding, and invasive examination, along with a few more refined procedures.

Through all of this, my grandmother failed to respond to anything. She was able to breathe on her own, but other than that she appeared lifeless. This lasted for several hours, after which she was officially admitted to the hospital. The doctor who saw my grandmother told us that we should not be too hopeful. This was apparently very serious, and it was likely that my grandmother would not again regain her consciousness. We began to notify family.

After my grandmother was admitted and moved to a more permanent room, my mother and I took turns pacing around the room. I prayed to God to grant us the strength to handle whatever He felt was best for us. Several people came in to check vitals regularly, and her blood was drawn yet again. I told my mother that I thought my grandmother should receive the Anointing of the Sick (Last Rites) from one of my parish priests. She agreed, so I got in touch with one of the priests, and he rushed to the hospital to be with us.

I explained the situation to our priest, and he performed the Anointing of the Sick with my grandmother. She appeared lifeless throughout the entire process of the Sacrament. I shook hands with the priest and thanked him, and then returned to my grandmother’s room. Within one minute, she began to awake, complaining of a leg cramp. She’s still awake right now.

The Sacraments – just another reason to be Catholic. Praise God.