I just wanted to thank you folks for being so kind to me a while back there. I was going through a VERY dark spell, and reading all your posts in response to my holler for help was like finding the low hanging tree branch as you are swept downstream in a spring flood torrent.

Even the chastisement for being so whiney was good, too, like that sting of iodine on the open wound.

I'm still somewhat out of it, losing so much is still hard to put aside. I don't remember now if I mentioned that my brother died. Guess it's just taking me a while to face a future that doesn't include him. Sound selfish? You bet. I know he's doing fine now, out of pain, and on to the next big adventure.

So shoot me. I've been grieving. I think we all have been, if we let ourselves. I've lost my brother, and we're all going to lose our way of life and the plans that we had for the future.

But I'm much better now, and getting better everyday. Look out there, the sun is shining, and it just keeps on rising every morning and setting every night. Long as it keeps on doing that...

Thanks again. You were there when I needed you.

Funny how "Virtual Friends" has an angelic sound to it, ay?

-- Arewyn (nordic@northnet.net), March 30, 1999

Answers

Arewyn, glad you are feeling better. Life is certainly not an easy deal. It sounds like you are a fighter. I'm glad that when life knocks you down, you get up and keep fighting. Winners in life are ofte not necessarily those who are the smartest or strongest, but those who keep trying when 99% of them mentally want to give up. Please keep fighting!!

Sincerely, Apple

-- Apple (villarta@itsnet.com), March 30, 1999.

Arewyn, glad to see you again! Grieving hurts, takes a long time, never completely goes away, and changes the sufferer. Ends up mellowing the heart like fine aged wine and bestowing compassion, but still hurts and demands time off and introspection at odd times.
Thank you for courageously facing it, sharing, and continuing the battle.
Many of us now are in "anticipated grief" for the possible upcoming demise of life as we know and like it. Acknowledging this burden, sharing, and dealing with it opens one up to the sun of healing and support. Thank you for being an angelic virtual friend :^)

xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xx

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), March 30, 1999.

Sorry about your brother, Arewyn.

Be gentle and good to yourself. When the grief and depression take over, let it. Don't hide or suppress it. Let it have it's timing. (For everything there is a season...)

You'll be stronger for it. (Speaking from experience).

Gift yourself with oodles of fragrant spring flowers too. (Life affirming).

Best wishes,

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 30, 1999.

Arewyn,

I am sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family as you work through this difficult time.

BobB

-- Bob Barbour (r.barbour@waikato.ac.nz), March 30, 1999.

Arewyn;

I can feel a little of what you must be going through now.

I buried my youngest sister on the 20th of March up in Ohio. I was holding her hand as she died, and I at least had the ten days before that time to be with her, and to comfort her as best I could.

Words cannot take the hurt away, and even time will only dull the ache of the emptiness that you feel now. But we must continue on with our world, and with the daily living of our lives.

Little Sister's life is over, but now she has no more pain. I have the pain for her. This, I am sure, is close to what you must feel too.

You have my most heartfelt sympathy in your time of sorrow.

S.O.B.

-- sweetolebob (buffgun@hotmail.com), March 30, 1999.

My sympathies to Arewyn and SOBob (Somehow words didn't seem enough.)

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), March 30, 1999.

Gayla, perfectly said. Arewyn and S.O.B., good to be with you, good for you to be with us, hope you can draw some strength from us all.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 30, 1999.

my mom died dec. 26. it's true, words cant express the grief you go through. I miss my mom. feels like I wont ever get over it. sometimes, as I go through my workday, I just stop, and think about it. it just hits me, that I will never see her again.

-- ed (edrider007@aol.com), March 30, 1999.

Arewyn -

Speaking from experience (I lost my only sibling and brother 8 years ago), and I can assure of this: Eventually, the dark pain goes away and you will be able to remember all those wonderful memories with just a touch of sadness but more with a smile and feel glad you had him - even if not for long enough. That old adage "and this to shall pass" is really true and so is "time heals all wounds" even if it feels like it won't sometimes! Bless you.

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), March 30, 1999.

Arewyn, S.O.B. and edrider007-so sorry to hear of your losses. I agree with others (from experience), it's best to let yourself grieve. I hope you have friends, loved ones with whom you can cry and talk about your loss as many times as you want. It will be infinitely better for you if you can. Also, don't let your prep for y2k short-circuit the grief process. In Christ's love and comfort, Linda

-- newbiebutnodummy (Linda@home.com), March 31, 1999.

S.O.B., ed, I'm sorry to hear about your sister and mother. You're so kind to share your pain to help ease mine.

I'm stuck for words. Y'know, if the percentage of 'Good Guys' and 'Gentlehearts' present on this forum is indicative of the general population of folks who are preparing & will survive TEOTWAWKI, we have Hope. Don'tcha think?

-- Arewyn (nordic@northnet.net), March 31, 1999.