Maureen’s brother-in-law passed away, yesterday. I don’t know much else, beyond the fact that he must have been relatively young, and was married, with three children, ages 18 to 21.
I’m sure some of you who have enjoyed Maureen’s contributions to this board, as I have, would like to join me in extending support, sympathy, and sincere condolences to her, and to her family. In my case, I’d particularly like to extend deepest sympathies to Mr. Maureen, about whom I’ve heard enough to know that I like him, for the loss of his brother.
Maureen, I recall a few exchanges with you not long ago about empathy. You were worried you might have lost yours. In that instance your feelings related to the loss of a patient.
Now that the loss is closer to you personally I hope your awareness of what your empathy means can strengthen. The passing of any of us is a reminder that we all face that event. Some losses affect us more deeply than others, probably because of our investments in the lives of others and theirs in ours.
And while none of us can escape that event we can each try to find the way to other people’s awareness of what the act of living really means. The name of that activity is empathy, and I hope you, Maureen, are recovering your sense of security that your empathy is alive and well.
Thank you so much, everyone, and thanks especially to Davebear for starting the thread. The support of everyone here means so very much to me; I have had to be the rock for my husband and mother in law, a role I’m not very comfortable in, and it is such a relief to know that you all are MY rock. Thanks again.
I suppose, if anything good has come of this, it is that I now know everything that I will need to do if ever I have to do this again. It’s a great comfort to know that my brother in law did not suffer, he simply closed his eyes (on his way to the recovery room) and was gone. There was no pain. The doctors did everything they possibly could, and (IMHO), that’s saying a considerable amount…it was at Stanford. My main concern is my mother in law, who is not well herself. I cannot begin to imagine the anguish of losing a child, although I see it when I look in her eyes.
Zeldar, you are so very right; my empathy and training have come back as my strength the past couple of days, and I am thankful for them.
I add my condolences as well, Maureen. It’s always a sad thing when a child precedes a parent in death. It has happened twice to people I am very close to in Germany. I know your husband is thankful for your strength during this very tough time.
Maureen, please accept my condolences upon your loss. When you feel the least need to get out and about a bit, it would be my pleasure to buy you some lunch. Feel free to email me at any time.
My wife’s sister’s husband died in his thirties due to an accident. His mom just absolutely fell to pieces. (His dad had died a few years earlier.) It was horrible, and I know the role of the “rock” is not easily played - especially for the kids. My deepest sympathies.