Friday, May 21, 2021

One Less

 I found a text message on my phone this morning. My brother-in-law let me know my nephew died lat night. His 49th birthday was less than a month ago.

He is the son of my sister who is in a nursing home because of a stroke she suffered several years ago. She does not yet know.

My brother-in-law will not be allowed to see her until June 2. That is the earliest appointment they will give him. I asked if they could make an exception for the emergency. He said they would not.

My nephew has been sick for years. There was something wrong with his pancreas. It periodically became inflamed causing him a lot of pain. In and out of the hospital. 

My sister made him promise her that he would not die. He tried so hard to keep that promise.

When I spoke to him a few days ago I could hear the pain in his voice. He sounded terribly weak. I had no idea that he was going to die.

As we got ready to end our call I said, "You know I love you." He said, " I know. I love you too." I am finding some small comfort in that.

27 comments:

  1. There is no real preparedness to lose anyone you love. I'm sorry for your loss.

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    1. There is no way to be prepared for the death of someone who has been a part of your life since he was born. Thank you.

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  2. we are not capable to keep such promise no matter how honest we are dear Emma .i am thinking about his mom !

    this is nice you could say the most beautiful words and there is always comfort in sharing them .

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    1. My sister will be crushed. Her son was her world. Because I am getting older and even though I am in good health I have been making sure to let people I care about know that I love them. It only takes a second and can mean so much to both people.

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  3. i am sorry for your loss dear friend ,hugs and blessings!

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  4. A young death is hard to take. I am sorry for the loss.

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    1. Thank you. My children and my nieces and nephews were as close as siblings. We shared out children with each other. It is wrong that he died so young.

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  5. 49, so young. Life and death out of order, very sad. At least you got to tell him you loved him.

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    1. I am so grateful for that last conversation with him.

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  6. Emma, I am so sorry to learn of your nephew’s death. How sad for everyone in the family and for all who loved him. My sincere condolences.

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  7. So sorry to read this news, Emma, and my condolences to you and your family. This will indeed be sad news for your sister to learn. It seems rather unnecessarily harsh that exceptions cannot be made in such sad family situations. we should always let people, family and friends alike, know we love them because we never know when it would be the last chance we may have because life is so uncertain.

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    1. My sister was told by her husband a couple of days ago. Of course her heart is broken. She is dealing with it better than even I thought she would.

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  8. Oh. I am so sorry to hear that your nephew suffered so much. God bless you all, esp. the mom.

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  9. I am very sorry for your loss. Although the loving words you and he exchanged are of little comfort to you now, they were clearly of comfort to him then. Perhaps, his life ended as well, and in as timely a manner, as he could have hoped.

    Thank you for sharing this.

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    1. His step-father was with him and said he died peacefully.

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  10. Dear Emma, so sorry to read about your sad loss. I wish you strength! Britta

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  11. So so sorry, may he rest in eternal peace. I hope your sister does not take the news too badly as it could be a massive shock for her.
    Thoughts are with you all. Diane

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    1. There was a memorial service. My sister was able to attend. She is doing as well as can be expected.

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