White and yellow carnations were arranged around many feathers and tiny figurines of Jesus, Mary and angels. At the center of the alter was a picture of Shuri's son. My granny still in great shape at 94, was there overlooking all the proceedures.

The ceremony consisted of many many songs and prayers and seemed to go on for an eternity. After about two hours, I felt I could not take any more. I had had a moment where I felt I received a message that my role is an angel of love and light, on this earth, appointed by God to serve him and do good and be kind to all my loving and loyal subjects, and then I said to Jade, "I need to go to sleep now as my sister is in town and I need to be fresh for her, thanks and goodnight."

Jade reminded me nicely and firmly that this was my life we were praying for and it was probably a good idea to stay in the room and be present. She had a point. Nobody had ever prayed for my life before and who knows if they ever would again. I lay down wrapped in blankets as the many songs and prayers echoed round the room. "Scottish Princess, we love you, we love you, from deep in our heart and deep in our soul and with all of our truth and all of our light." Something like that.

I confess the songs became like a torture as they seemed to never stop and just get more and more intense and louder and louder. I kept looking at the clock and 3.0 clock became 4.o'clock and then 5.o'clock. Eventually I just fought through the tiredness and by the dawn I was almost elated. It was nearly over and I had stayed with it. At dawn the shaman gave a prayer for those who will not rise and I shed a tear for my grandpa Louis, gone for many years. Jesus had got enlighted in the course of the night and I was simply relieved to receive my blessings and be allowed to sleep.