On July 7th 2007, my older brother Evans passed away after recovering from a toe amputation. It has been a very hard year for the family. He left behind 4 kids--two boys and two girls. Plus a stepson from a previous marriage. I still can't quite believe he is gone. I still think he is going to show up at the house, needing it for a "pit stop" of bathroom and cold water. He was comical and loved to make you laugh. Watching an average movie turned into a very funny time with him and his belly laughs. He was my protector growing up and sometimes my enemy. But in the end we were great friends who did lots of things together, esp trips to San Antonio and Galveston. I go to his gravesite every now and then. I know he is not there in spirit, but it is a connecting place.

Thank you brother for being there for me and for helping me to grow up in ways I didn't know I needed to. I love you and will one day see you again.
Here's a toast to you! :cheers:

Thanks guys for allowing me to express myself here. I may or may not step away from here for awhile. To those of you who have been my friends, do not think for a second, that I don't treasure you! Esp to Irene, Monika, Brandon, Sonny, Rich, and Sol. and if I didn't name you by name, don't feel slighted--you are indeed treasured.

Jude

On July 7th 2007, my older brother Evans passed away after recovering from a toe amputation. It has been a very hard year for the family. He left behind 4 kids--two boys and two girls. Plus a stepson from a previous marriage. I still can't quite believe he is gone. I still think he is going to show up at the house, needing it for a "pit stop" of bathroom and cold water. He was comical and loved to make you laugh. Watching an average movie turned into a very funny time with him and his belly laughs. He was my protector growing up and sometimes my enemy. But in the end we were great friends who did lots of things together, esp trips to San Antonio and Galveston. I go to his gravesite every now and then. I know he is not there in spirit, but it is a connecting place.

Thank you brother for being there for me and for helping me to grow up in ways I didn't know I needed to. I love you and will one day see you again.
Here's a toast to you! :cheers:

Thanks guys for allowing me to express myself here. I may or may not step away from here for awhile. To those of you who have been my friends, do not think for a second, that I don't treasure you! Esp to Irene, Monika, Brandon, Sonny, Rich, and Sol. and if I didn't name you by name, don't feel slighted--you are indeed treasured.

Jude
Your brother seemed like a great guy and I'm very sorry you and your family had to go through all this. :( You're a great guy Jude and it's been great talking to you on SO and if you need a break I understand. We all need a break once in awhile.

I'm really sorry about your brother. Hang in there.

You know I am here for you Jude. I know what a tough time it has been for you, especially this past week. Thoughts are with you and I pray you and your mom will find yourselves smiling and laughing, thinking of the great memories of your beloved brother. I know he was taken too soon from you. Love ya. :bighug:

im sorry, thats terrible :( your family will be in my prayers.

:crying: :(

Did your brother have diabetes?

Did your brother have diabetes?

Yes, he did Lee.

He went through pancreaitis, renal failure, heart attack, congestive heart failure all within a period of 10 years.

i am so sorry to hear about your brother. =( my prayers & thoughts go out to you & your family during such a difficult time.

I'm sorry about you losing your brother. I can only imagine how hard that must be for you and your family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Jude.

thats very sad jude. i'm so sorry to hear about your brother. all my heartfelt prayers and thoughts for you and your family. and a BIG hug :bighug:

So very sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts & prayers are with you & your family.

I'm very sorry. :(

Thanks to all who posted.....it is very touching to know people, whom I have never met in person, care enough to state sentiments of compassion.

A family friend took us out to lunch today--at an upscale eatery, no less and then accompanied us to the gravesite afterwards. At times, it still feels surreal. Will that ever change?

Thank you for sharing about your brother. Sounds like you guys had some very fun times together. I am so sorry for your loss.

One of the best ways to overcome grief Jude is to do something positive as time goes by. If one wallows in grief constantly, it will seem endless. I had a devastating loss when I lost my nephew due to injuries suffered in a car accident when he was only 12. I thought I just wanted to curl up and die. I was so depressed for six months. As each day passed, I had to remember the good times. It still caused me to cry, but it was a start. By the time a year came around, I had come to grips with our loss and realized he was in a better place. It took time but it also took strength on my part to not allow all that grief to control me. I couldn't hear a song or see a sad movie without crying my eyes out. I would visit his grave constantly. I would write things down in a journal. I did things with my kids to make me laugh and help me from being sad. I felt guilty. Thankfully I overcame that and I know you will too.

On July 7th 2007, my older brother Evans passed away after recovering from a toe amputation. It has been a very hard year for the family. He left behind 4 kids--two boys and two girls. Plus a stepson from a previous marriage. I still can't quite believe he is gone. I still think he is going to show up at the house, needing it for a "pit stop" of bathroom and cold water. He was comical and loved to make you laugh. Watching an average movie turned into a very funny time with him and his belly laughs. He was my protector growing up and sometimes my enemy. But in the end we were great friends who did lots of things together, esp trips to San Antonio and Galveston. I go to his gravesite every now and then. I know he is not there in spirit, but it is a connecting place.

Thank you brother for being there for me and for helping me to grow up in ways I didn't know I needed to. I love you and will one day see you again.
Here's a toast to you! :cheers:

Thanks guys for allowing me to express myself here. I may or may not step away from here for awhile. To those of you who have been my friends, do not think for a second, that I don't treasure you! Esp to Irene, Monika, Brandon, Sonny, Rich, and Sol. and if I didn't name you by name, don't feel slighted--you are indeed treasured.

Jude

Your brother sounds like a very special person and I am so sorry for your, and your family's loss. Anniversaries also have a way of kicking up intense feelings.

For those I've loved dearly who have passed on: I cherish their spirit, never forgetting how they made the world a better place - and especially - how effortlessly they brought joy to those around them. When I reflect on this it makes me feel closer to them -that somehow, while on one level they are far away, on another, they are not really at all.

As these many posts demonstrate, that you have a big SO family here who's quite fond of you.

I am so sorry for your lost

Thanks again. If I have made you laugh or smile while on the board, it is because I know that humor is such a powerful healing tool. So in the spirit of my brother, laugh it up, everyone!!! :) :lol: :brent

Well said Jude...:rofl: :brent

What a loving brother you are. ;)

Thanks again. If I have made you laugh or smile while on the board, it is because I know that humor is such a powerful healing tool. So in the spirit of my brother, laugh it up, everyone!!! :) :lol: :brent
:lol: :rofl: :brent There you go - that's our Pepper Bro. :cool: