Condolences from me too, oakleyok. Sorry to hear of your only sibling's passing. Prayers for you both.

Graywings, I'm so glad you started this thread. Oakley, please share with us what happened! I am so sorry about your brother. I actually posted something to you but my internet shut off just as I hit submit and I lost the post.
(((hugs!!)))

Please tell us about him.

Gray, I just sat down to relax and de-stress, if that's possible and found your topic.

It was kind of sudden. He was a successful welder, even in charge of some of the Alaska Pipeline, and the welding over the years caused him to contract COPD.

He was doing okay and a few days after Christmas he couldn't breathe and he was hospitalized. Then he died.

I'm still in shock, like it hasn't set in yet, we were very close since we were only a year apart in age.

A week before his death my dh decides to bring his law practice HOME, so his office has been ringing off the hook, I've lost my "alone" time, lol, so my life has turned topsy turvy.

The irony is when I got news of John's death was when I was cooking black-eyed peas and collard greens for good luck.

Thanks for letting me vent and talk about him. He was such a nice guy, everyone loved him. And very handsome too. I was always his pesky little sister but he loved me dearly.

Speaking of Jen's grandma, I'm so happy my brother finally gets to meet our two grandmothers & a grandfather who had already passed before we were born. That really puts a smile on my face. :)

Sad that you all were so close and lived so far apart. Didn't you say once your mom lives with your brother? How is she doing? What will she do now?

I hope you were able to spend some time with family and not just in and out for the funeral. You all need each other right now.

Well you have spoken of being lonely - I guess you can't say that now! LOL

tina

I am so sorry about your brother. Since it happened so suddenly, you must have so much to process. I wish you peace and healing at this difficult time, and I'll keep you in my prayers, Oakley.

So sorry to hear your sad news oakley. As the sister of five dear brothers, I can only imagine how hard this must be.
My condolences to you.

Thank you everyone! Tina, my brother owned two homes in the same town, one in the country, one in town.

My SIL's mother and my mother (who has Dementia) are living together in the town home which is great, since my SIL has a big family there.

It's been hard to mourn privately because I've been so busy with the funeral and helping dh set up his office.

Today his phone was installed and it rang ALL day long. At least he has the volume on low so I don't jump every time it rings! :)

I also offer my condoleances, this must be so hard for you.
Good luck in all this.

oakley - I am so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. I have only one sibling, a brother, and I just can't imagine. You are in my thoughts. Take your time to grieve.

Oakley,

I am so sorry to hear about your brother's death. I hope you are able to find some peace and comfort amid all of the chaos.

Jana

I'm so sorry, Oakley.

Oakley, please accept my virtual hugs. I've not lost a sibling, but I know when my Dad passed away, his brothers & sister were hit harder by his passing than their when their father passed. Somehow it just seems to make your own mortality seem closer.

I pray for peace for you.

I wish you peace. Take comfort knowing he is safe and your spirits will be together again, in time.

Oakley, I wish you peace and comfort as you remember John. May wonderful memories erase a little more of the pain with each new day.

Oakley, so sorry.

Oakley, I too was so sorry to hear of your brothers passing. I will add you, as well as auntjen, to my prayers. Hold fast to your memories of your brother as they will comfort you now and in the future.

Thanks again everyone. I'm doing much better. Since I know where he's at and know who he's with, it comforts me.

His wife is holding up pretty good. His 5 year old twin sons are confused. That's what hurts the most.

Jen, I've been thinking about you too. I suppose every New Years from here on out will have a double meaning for us. :(

Oakleyok,
I'm so sorrow to read about your brother. I can't imagine losing a sibling. Thank goodness you have those sweet grandchildren to help heal your heart.

Oakleyok, sorry to be so late in expressing my sympathy about your brother's loss. From personal experience, I know how painful the loss of a sibling can be. In my case, I never expected to be an only child. I'm sure you didn't, either.

Time heals the pain, though it can never completely erase the sense of loss.

Talk about him with people who knew and loved him and encourage others to do the same. Refer to him by his name rather than "he". I believe a part of those who have passed remains in this world as long as they are spoken of. It's when no one ever mentions their names that truly cease to exist.

Oakley, I am so sorry. It is especially sad for his young twins.

Oh those poor boys! I'm sure you were thrilled to visit with them.

tina