What a difference a moment makes
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- Fuzz
- Post Traumatic Stress
- Posts: 404
- Joined: 14th Feb, '08, 09:55
- Mood: bloody marvellous
- Location: Australia
What a difference a moment makes
I was focusing on the slight fever that I had and thinking about my plans for the weekend when I received a phone call from my second sister. Immediately I had a sinking feeling that she might tell me about mum or dad, and didn't expect her to say my younger brother's name in between sobs ...
Yes, my younger brother passed away today - the baby in the family. Apparently he fell down while he was painting his house ... he had an enlarged heart last year and went to hospital beforehand and I don't know whether he had a heart attack or if he slipped. He was only 34, leaving his wife and three young kids who were too young to know that their daddy would not return home ...
Grief is such a strange thing - I didn't cry when I heard the news from my sister, but after it sank in, I had a good cry on the sofa and when my older brother and my sisters called me from Indonesia. It's as if my pain rose up to meet theirs - we could only cry together on the phone. I felt so helpless for being so far away from them - nobody to share the grief and nobody to hug who REALLY understand how I feel. I held myself pretty well afterwards, and when I packed my stuff - but when my Pastor called me and just said things like 'Our condolences', I ended up crying again.
I could still remember the fights that we had when we were kids - and how I envied him for being good with his hands, for being a real 'boy' who roamed the neighbourhood and climbed the roof of our house to fly his kites. In turn, he also envied me for being the brainy one, for being the one favoured by my Dad for getting good marks at school. He didn't get to study overseas, I did.
So tomorrow I'd be heading back to Indonesia ...
Yes, my younger brother passed away today - the baby in the family. Apparently he fell down while he was painting his house ... he had an enlarged heart last year and went to hospital beforehand and I don't know whether he had a heart attack or if he slipped. He was only 34, leaving his wife and three young kids who were too young to know that their daddy would not return home ...
Grief is such a strange thing - I didn't cry when I heard the news from my sister, but after it sank in, I had a good cry on the sofa and when my older brother and my sisters called me from Indonesia. It's as if my pain rose up to meet theirs - we could only cry together on the phone. I felt so helpless for being so far away from them - nobody to share the grief and nobody to hug who REALLY understand how I feel. I held myself pretty well afterwards, and when I packed my stuff - but when my Pastor called me and just said things like 'Our condolences', I ended up crying again.
I could still remember the fights that we had when we were kids - and how I envied him for being good with his hands, for being a real 'boy' who roamed the neighbourhood and climbed the roof of our house to fly his kites. In turn, he also envied me for being the brainy one, for being the one favoured by my Dad for getting good marks at school. He didn't get to study overseas, I did.
So tomorrow I'd be heading back to Indonesia ...
- cromasaig
- Going Postal
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- Location: Scotland
Re: What a difference a moment makes
I'm so, so sorry. There doesn't seem to be anything else I can say.
Re: What a difference a moment makes
oh, Fuzzy. my prayers are with you and your family. God be with you all.
- Scrummy Mummy
- I live here
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- Joined: 14th Feb, '08, 14:42
Re: What a difference a moment makes
You poor love. You must be devastated. Hugs xxx
- Monkey Hanger
- Post Traumatic Stress
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- Location: Sunny Luxembourg
Re: What a difference a moment makes
Fuzz, so sorry to hear that. Big hug from Lux.
Re: What a difference a moment makes
My thoughts are with you xox
Children aren't colouring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colours.
- baloo
- Can't find the exit
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Re: What a difference a moment makes
I'm so sorry Fuzz. Our thoughts are with you.
So…if you wish to wish a wish, you may swish for fish with my Ish wish dish.
Re: What a difference a moment makes
Oh Fuzz, I am so sorry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hugs.
Re: What a difference a moment makes
How dreadful Fuzz, I wish you and your family all the strength and love you need in the next few days and onwards.
Take care
T x
Take care
T x
Re: What a difference a moment makes
My thoughts are with you.
Re: What a difference a moment makes
My condolences, Fuzz. Bon voyage tomorrow.
Re: What a difference a moment makes
Sending love and light your way...
- Pinklepurr
- I post here professionally
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Re: What a difference a moment makes
Don't know what else to say, except to send big hugs to you.
"Always turn and look when your cat gazes behind you with that intent look in her eyes. Some day there might actually be something there." - Anonymous
- sluggo
- Too Much Time on my Hands
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Re: What a difference a moment makes
Fuzz so sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my older brother last summer to lung cancer. He was 56. Its so difficult when they are so young. My prayers are with you and your family.
I guess we're not in Kansas anymore.
- Fuzz
- Post Traumatic Stress
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- Joined: 14th Feb, '08, 09:55
- Mood: bloody marvellous
- Location: Australia
Re: What a difference a moment makes
Thank you all - I guess it helps a bit for me to be open on how I feel. Thank you for the kind words, and thank you for the poem (you know who you are). *hugs*
Its 3.30am here in Adelaide - I've had a restless night, but at least I had clocked in at least two hours of sleep. It's true when they say that you wish you were in a dream; in between dozing off I woke up and wondered whether it was just a bad dream. Your swollen eyes and your heavy heart remind you, alas, it is the reality from now on. I have lost a brother.
Grief is like a thick fog that descends to every room and leaves a mark on the wall that says 'Death was here'. I can't chase it away - not just yet.
Its 3.30am here in Adelaide - I've had a restless night, but at least I had clocked in at least two hours of sleep. It's true when they say that you wish you were in a dream; in between dozing off I woke up and wondered whether it was just a bad dream. Your swollen eyes and your heavy heart remind you, alas, it is the reality from now on. I have lost a brother.
Grief is like a thick fog that descends to every room and leaves a mark on the wall that says 'Death was here'. I can't chase it away - not just yet.
Re: What a difference a moment makes
Oh Fuzz, so very sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and your family.
Have a safe journey ahead.
Have a safe journey ahead.
Life is comprised of infinite possibilities; some known, others a mystery and destined to remain so. And what of the vast unknown, the realms beyond which knowledge has no established boundaries or parameters? Who is to say what exists or what is possible?
~jhclues~
~jhclues~
- daffodil
- Part of the furniture
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Re: What a difference a moment makes
So very sorry to hear your sad news, Fuzzy. Take care, safe journey and a big hug.
Taurus...loyal friend and dedicated enemy.
- Morrolan
- Part of the furniture
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Re: What a difference a moment makes
ah, mate, i'm so sorry for you, i heard it from Fyn.
there's nothing i can say, my thoughts are with you.
there's nothing i can say, my thoughts are with you.
- Bender
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Re: What a difference a moment makes
Sending you hugs and courage. Safe travels. B.
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” – Henry David Thoreau
Re: What a difference a moment makes
Fuzz, awful news. Can only relate emotionally to what happened when my parents called me at work Monday morning in November last year and my father breaking down when he told me he had an aggressive cancer. Something in your world shatters, and nothing's quite the same as it was before ever again. So take some comfort in the outpouring of emotion and love that will come when you are together with your family in the next few days. Take care and travel safe.
Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having any opinions at all.
- Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
- Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
Re: What a difference a moment makes
So sorry, Fuzz. What a terrible thing. Good thoughts to you and your family.
Re: What a difference a moment makes
I'm so sorry to hear that fuzz.
- BFG
- I post here professionally
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Re: What a difference a moment makes
Sorry to hear the awful news Fuzz. There's nothing anyone can say or do, but I hope you get some strength from knowing we're thinking about you.
Life's too short...
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- I post here professionally
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Re: What a difference a moment makes
Hi Fuzz, my thoughts are with you too. I'm so sorry to hear it. Lots of love and hugs xxx
Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken
- sundaymorningstaple
- Post Traumatic Stress
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Re: What a difference a moment makes
Fuzz, my condolences go out to you and your family.