I am the rest between two notes That harmonise … reluctantly …              —Rainer Maria Rilke, The Book of Hours (1905) During her prolonged illness, some members of the family had felt that the compilation of a book might help visitors while away the time during lengthy hospital visits. Here, fond memories of the woman could be recorded, cards from well-wishers pasted in and general observations made. Since it seemed recovery was impossible, the book might also assist in the reconstruction of a life well lived. At the end, the book contained a random collection of items: Drawings and messages…