Vibes for me...

[blue_roses_lib]

And my family, and my old friend from high school.

I've lurked here for ages and started posting recently, but this place feels like a safe haven to me.


My mom called me this morning and had me look at the obit section of the local paper. I read of the deaths of two men that I knew.

First was the vicar from the Episcopal church that I attended through High School and part of college. I stopped attending because the parish went in an ultra conservative direction in 2003. It broke my heart beause I considered that parish family, but they were moving along a path I could not follow. The vicar, who had been there for about 2-3 years, was of the same mindset, but he was someone whom would always listen to opposing views. Really listen. He was a kind and good man, who had a softspot for children of all ages.

He had numerous health issues... he had a prosthetic leg, liver issues, was a recovering alcoholic (not sure if that is the right term), as well as having uncontrolled diabetes. My mom still gets the parish newsletter from that church, and he had been put on involuntary (sp) leave because of his health issues. There's other comments some folks made, insinuating things like because he need assistance during the service, the sanctity of the service was suffering.... that fill me with rage just thinking about. He passed away Friday at the hospital from health complications. I'd meant to email him just to tell him I was praying for him and that he had my support no matter what, and I never did. And now I can't stop thinking about it. My mom and older brother are heartbroken as well.

The second obit is this....

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/711363.html

The man was the father of my best friend from high school. There's a story here that isn't being said. I don't know why he was alone operating a forklift, but I can't stop thinking about him dying alone in the cold, by a dumpster. My friend is not doing too well... He was another good kind man, who leaves behind a family.


Anyway.... I'm just sad and sort of numb, and could really use some caring vibes and some hugs :hug: :grouphug: :cry:


Thanks~~

[elshiva]

1. Sorry. VIBES

:hug: :grouphug:

[blue_roses_lib]

5. TY for the vibes

:hug: and for the hug.

[lizziegrace]

2. Of course

:hug:

This is so sad...

[sammythecat]

3. A very bad day for you.

Both are sad and distressing stories. I'm sorry for you and everyone else affected.
Time is often our best ally after things like this. We just have to be patient. :hug:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. What a drag, what a damn drag...............

Your losses are sad. The vicar sounds like he had a difficult life, but you liked him. Now you have learned one of the hardest lessons life teaches us - that you never put off telling someone what you want them to know. We all learn that one the hard way. But you will never again make it, because you're now even more aware of how quickly time passes, how things chance in an instant.

You can, though, write to his family and tell them what he meant to you. Letters like that are beyond priceless and precious to the recipients. I hope you do it.

A man like Tim dying at such a relatively young age in an absolutely stupid accident is awful. Just awful.

You have all my good wishes, hon.

:hug:

[blue_roses_lib]

7. I do actually plan on writing a short letter and giving it to his family.

Because even when everyone else at that church excluded and scorned me, he didn't.


I've been sitting here writing letters to other people in my life that I haven't talked to in awhile.


:hug:

[enigmatic]

6. Of course you can

:hug:

[ccharles000]

8. Vibes

:hug:

[bluesbassman]

9. Absolutely blue_roses_lib.

Vibes and prayers going out to you, and your family and friends. :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear blue_roses_lib...

Major vibes to you ...

These deaths are so hard to take, especially since both men were important to you...

I hope that your good memories will help you get through this time of grief...

Safe passage to them!

:hug: :hug:

[blue_roses_lib]

11. Update

Hello all~

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of the kind thoughts. I attended a visitation last night for my vicar, and the funeral for my best friend's dad today. The visitation was quiet and peaceful. I was able to speak to his wife and tell her how much he meant to my family and I. It had slipped my mind at the time I wrote the OP, but I had actually written him a letter for a local clergy appreciation day, telling him what it meant to treated with respect when the rest of the folks couldn't lower themselves to speak to a passionate liberal.

The funeral was very moving. Tim was a veteran, and the service was at the main chapel on the local army base, with the burial directly after. There is a National Cemetery in town. I have never attended a military service, and I was touched, and deeply moved by the care and respect and honor that the soldiers gave to Tim and his family. To the soldiers there today... the pallbearers, those that gave the gun salute, those that rendered honors, and the soldier that played taps, THANK YOU. It was a great comfort to me that you were there.



Thanks again for all of the vibes and kind thoughts :hug:

[applegrove]

12. Sorry for you loss.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

13. the most caring of vibes and the biggest of hugs --

[elfrangel]

14. (((((((((hug))))))))))

Hugs and vibes your way and the families way... I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[pinstikfartherin]

15. Hugs and vibes... I'm sorry for your loss..

:hug: :hug:

[Haole Girl]

16. Sending vibes and hugs...

:hug: :grouphug: