Saturday, January 31, 2015

A Hard Week

Early this past week, we unexpectedly lost my husband's younger brother.  As you know, when this kind of thing happens, there is difficulty processing the event, and we stumble while trying to overcome the pure shock of it all.

This younger brother was my husband's last remaining sibling.  Although he was several inches taller and quite a few pounds heavier, he was always his little brother . . . a somewhat ridiculous statement when you saw them side by side.

As we family members connect and reminisce, there has been love, laughter and lots of happy memories directed at the man we just lost.  Lots of good stories have been shared which seem to have helped with the healing.

He was a good husband, father, grandfather and friend to a great many.  He perfected the art of putting the positive spin on most everything in life.  He laughed a lot, often at himself, and as my husband said, because of his kindness, generosity and natural outgoing friendliness, he never knew anyone who disliked him.

"Our family is getting so small," our daughter said quietly and sadly a day or so ago.  Yes, and now her uncle's passing has left a big hole in it.

46 comments:

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Oh Mama Pea, I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs. When we lost Aunt J. I took felt like our family was shrinking too. (more hugs).

Anonymous said...

Sis-our thoughts and prayers are with you and Papa Pea. M had to be about my age, wasn't he?

mommar6 said...

So sorry.

Jennifer Jo said...

I'm so sorry. Holding you in my thoughts....xoxo.

odiie said...

I'm sorry. I pray God will comfort and hold you during this time. Give Papa Pea a big hug.

Sue said...

I'm so sorry--this is never easy. Hugs to you all.

Mollie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mollie said...

My deepest sympathies to you and your family. I'm glad to hear you have loving memories of him. His spirit will live on in all those whose lives he touched. Stay close to one another.

Sparkless said...

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It sounds like he was a well loved man with a big heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Susan said...

I'm so sorry, my dear Family Pea. I know you all must be devastated. Sending love and hugs your way.

Mama Pea said...

Thank you so much, Kristina.

Mama Pea said...

J - He was one year older. You were 16 and he was 17 at our wedding. What a long time ago . . .

Mama Pea said...

mommar6 - Thank you very much.

Mama Pea said...

JJ - Feeling it. Thank you.

Mama Pea said...

Thank you for your kind thoughts, Rhonda. Hubby's been getting lots of good hugs and he's appreciative.

Mama Pea said...

Thank you, dear Sue.

Mama Pea said...

Thank you, Mollie. I lot of people are going to miss his good company over a glass of wine. Or cup of coffee. I think my husband's family was raised from birth on coffee!

Mama Pea said...

You hit it on the head, Sparkless. He did have a big heart and loved people. Thank you.

Mama Pea said...

Susan, I know it's not good when someone suffers for any period of time, but we're just not prepared at all when it happens unexpectedly. Thank you for your love and hugs.

Mark said...

Mama Pea, I am so sorry to hear your sad news. The added shock of an unexpected passing just sends one reeling. I offer my sincere condolences for you and your family.

De said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Unknown said...

I'm sorry for your loss. My family is pretty much gone now, except for me kids. I'm an elder !

Tami said...

A hard week indeed. Gather together and hug one another. Love while you can. Life is so short isn't it?

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. your in my prayers

Sue

Leigh said...

Oh gosh, we all know unexpected things happen and that nobody lives forever, but it's still always a shock and a sad, sad thing. Hugs to you all.

DFW said...

So sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you all.

Mama Pea said...

Thank you so much, Mark.

Mama Pea said...

De - Thank you for your kind words. They all help.

Mama Pea said...

Nancy po - Yes, It's a "different" feeling when your own elders and then family members of your own generation leave, isn't it? Thank you for your sympathy.

Mama Pea said...

A happening such as this really brings that truth home . . . life is short. Thanks, Tami.

Mama Pea said...

Thank you very much, Sue.

Mama Pea said...

Leigh - Death is, indeed, part of life but it alters things so much. I really believe those who leave us don't suffer the same loss we who are left behind do. Thank, Leigh.

Mama Pea said...

DFW - Thank you so very much. It's appreciated.

Leah said...

I am so sorry for your loss! It's never easy to lose a family member so I hope you all are doing alright. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Patty said...

So sorry, Mam Pea. Hug everyone for me.

I wanted to personally thank you for the food dehydrator you gave us. I used it for the first time a few days ago, and I was thrilled! It is a huge improvement over what I had, and we're going to enjoy using it a lot! :) Thank you very much for thinking of us. <3

Anonymous said...

Our prayers and deepest sympathy to you and yours. It is always a shock to lose a loved one, especially one who is the same age and has gone through many of the major passages of life with you. We are with you in our hearts.-M

Mama Pea said...

Leah, thank you for your kind words. The shock is starting to wear off, but of course the feeling of losing a loved one remains.

Mama Pea said...

Thanks, Patty. Lotsa hugs have been shared . . . some via long distance!

Oh, I'm so happy you like the dehydrator! I loved it and never would have parted with it but for this second one I have. You can get a HUGE load of stuff in it, can't you?

Mama Pea said...

Thanks so much, M. Yes, it certainly brings forth a feeling of vulnerability.

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's brother.
Keeping you and your family close to my heart, and sending prayers.
Blessings,
Sandy

Tyche's Minder said...

Oh Mama Pea, I'm so sorry to hear this. My condolences.

Lisa said...

I am so sorry to hear about yours and Papa Pea's loss. An elderly lady once told me, as she was the last of her family to live on for many years..... that it was so very hard to be the last, as she did not have any siblings to share in family memories. My sympathies to all of you.

Mama Pea said...

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. It's a comfort.

Mama Pea said...

Tyche's Minder - Thank you, thank you.

Mama Pea said...

Thanks, Lisa. Our daughter and the kids of Papa Pea's sister and brother have lots of memories that have been shared and help a lot, I think. Of course, at times like this you always think of a million things you wish you had communicated or asked about. So it goes.

Anonymous said...

I know I am horribly late with this, but I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you all.

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