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.
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).
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Kristina.
DeleteSis-our thoughts and prayers are with you and Papa Pea. M had to be about my age, wasn't he?
ReplyDeleteJ - He was one year older. You were 16 and he was 17 at our wedding. What a long time ago . . .
DeleteSo sorry.
ReplyDeletemommar6 - Thank you very much.
DeleteI'm so sorry. Holding you in my thoughts....xoxo.
ReplyDeleteJJ - Feeling it. Thank you.
DeleteI'm sorry. I pray God will comfort and hold you during this time. Give Papa Pea a big hug.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind thoughts, Rhonda. Hubby's been getting lots of good hugs and he's appreciative.
DeleteI'm so sorry--this is never easy. Hugs to you all.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Sue.
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ReplyDeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteThank 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!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteYou hit it on the head, Sparkless. He did have a big heart and loved people. Thank you.
DeleteI'm so sorry, my dear Family Pea. I know you all must be devastated. Sending love and hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteSusan, 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.
DeleteMama 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Mark.
DeleteI'm so very sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteDe - Thank you for your kind words. They all help.
DeleteI'm sorry for your loss. My family is pretty much gone now, except for me kids. I'm an elder !
ReplyDeleteNancy 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.
DeleteA hard week indeed. Gather together and hug one another. Love while you can. Life is so short isn't it?
ReplyDeleteA happening such as this really brings that truth home . . . life is short. Thanks, Tami.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. your in my prayers
ReplyDeleteSue
Thank you very much, Sue.
DeleteOh 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.
ReplyDeleteLeigh - 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.
DeleteSo sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you all.
ReplyDeleteDFW - Thank you so very much. It's appreciated.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteLeah, thank you for your kind words. The shock is starting to wear off, but of course the feeling of losing a loved one remains.
DeleteSo sorry, Mam Pea. Hug everyone for me.
ReplyDeleteI 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
Thanks, Patty. Lotsa hugs have been shared . . . some via long distance!
DeleteOh, 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?
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
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, M. Yes, it certainly brings forth a feeling of vulnerability.
DeleteMama Pea,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your husband's brother.
Keeping you and your family close to my heart, and sending prayers.
Blessings,
Sandy
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. It's a comfort.
DeleteOh Mama Pea, I'm so sorry to hear this. My condolences.
ReplyDeleteTyche's Minder - Thank you, thank you.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThanks, 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.
DeleteI know I am horribly late with this, but I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you all.
ReplyDeletehttp://caffeinatedhomestead.weebly.com/