His relatives said that he was in a vegetative state. They were sure that he was unable to hear or comprehend what they were saying to him. However it did not appear that way to us. The Retired Brigadier General had been a resident of the small nursing home we had in Scotland, for many years. Every day his army batman or military 'servant' would come to help look after him. It was Christmas and his sister was visiting and we asked if we could pray with the brigadier but were told that he would not understand. Undaunted we asked if we could at least give him a blessing and they agreed . I knelt at his feet and said, "The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." Whereupon the brigadier said a firm "AMEN". He had understood every word. It is an important lesson to learn not to treat patients in such a situation as if they were not there, but to pray with and read the Bible to them to comfort them and bring them peace of mind.