Keepin My Eye Out for Ya

The story about the man who was declared dead...even though he was actually alive reminded me of a true story my Mom told me years ago...
Back in the day, when a loved one passed on, it was traditional to 'lay them out' in the family home...right there in their coffin, for family and friends to see, pay their respects. There were not the technological advances there are today and sometimes being declared dead took on a whole new meaning!
Many years ago, my Great-Great Grandfather Uriah had been ill...he declined to the point he appeared to be comatose and so the family kept vigil until one day when he appeared to have breathed his last. The doctor was summoned and Grandpa Uriah was declared dead. He was prepared and dressed in his best clothes and laid out in his coffin in the family parlor. (in those days there was, of course, no embalming) and family and friends gathered to pay their final respects. Some were heard murmuring how lifelike he appeared. One of his daughters was so terribly griefstricken, she hovered near the casket, looking at him and crying...when suddenly she saw what appeared to be a tear in Grandpa Uriah's eye. Upon closer inspection, he appeared to be twitching or moving his eyelid ever so slightly. Now, given the state of grief this poor girl was experiencing, no one believed her and considered her to be quite hysterical...yet in an attempt to humour her, they took a look to appease her and Grandpa Uriah winked at them!!! The place went wild and Grandpa Uriah was quickly removed from the coffin and laid in his bed...and soon recovered and went on to live several more years!
This story is true...and imparted to me at a very young age...and became my worst nightmare, for I became fearful that such a thing could happen to my loved ones or myself. I have expressed my wishes to be twice embalmed and triple checked before that! Lol! It would be so horrifying! I wish I could have known myGreat-Great Grandpa Uriah...could have asked him all about it. From family reports, he was a mischievous character who probably took it all in stride and made some sort of humour about it...perhaps even a ghoulish glee, for he was a prankster as well.
When I heard of the man who was found alive after being declared dead, in this day & age, of advanced technology, it really disturbed me! It appears that the snafu was of human error and that disturbs me as well...I would think that in that line of work, one would need and want to be as careful and exacting as possible, checking and doublechecking...triple checking even if there was even the merest snippet of doubt.
I hope I am never in a situation where my life is at the mercy of someone who is in a rush to be done with their job....
but I'm keepin my eye out for ya! (wink wink)