Awful news

[Cliphead]

Just had a similar call, a friend of mine (49), died suddenly today. Funerals are bad enough but this close to christmas is going to make it tougher.

[wobbegong]

When someone close to you dies, it sure does make you realise just how fragile life is. My dad died of ALS in March, and I cannot think of a worse way to go. About a month ago, I statrted to get the same symptoms he had in the early stages and to be honest I was terrified and had convinced myself it was ALS. The neuro surgeon now does not believe it is ALS but is not sure...I am hopeful though...you do go through some realisations though when faced with the possibility...

Sometimes, things seem less important...

Davie, I'm not a praying man, but I sincerely hope your diagnosis is good news.

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. My condolences.

My Mum died of cancer in August last year, and I still find it painful. Not a day goes by when I don't think about the fragility of life (often the futility of life).

Life is short for all of us, so enjoy every second you can without hurting others.

[Sysman]

It's hard when someone so young dies, it was my best mate’s funeral yesterday and I was a complete wreck, he was only 37 when he lost his 8 year battle with cancer, he left a wife and 3 year old boy behind... flipin heart breaking.

You have my sympathies ginger_j.

Let us wind this back 20 years, please. I had a good mate who unbeknown to me had leukemia. The last time I saw him he wanted to go into IT, so I cancelled my evening out and gave him the pros and cons. I then found myself working away from home a lot and it was absolutely dreadful getting home one night to see his face on the front page of the local evening newspaper, announcing his death. Gorgeous wife and a 2 year old son left behind.

But you know what? On the day of his funeral, I went into work at about 6 am, knocked off at 11 to have a bath and put my best suit on, and (sensibly) grabbed a taxi to the crematorium. On arriving, the taxi driver could not believe how many people were there. Loudspeakers were erected outside for thse who arrived too late to get into the chapel.

I think I was the only person there who hadn't seen it coming and pretty much cracked up. But then the next thing happened. My mate's father in law invited all of us back to the mate's favourite golf club, where a couple of free drinks were on offer for everyone who attended (specifically 2 pints for the blokes, 2 glasses off wine for the ladies), and the lad had left the money for that in his will. I was still upset at this stage, but it ended up with us having a rattling good do, and for several years after, anytime that you saw a funeral attendee in the pub you would likely be offered a free drink, or you would be offering one yourself.

On to the present, I have just learnt that my sister-in-law has cancer, and the prospects do not look good. All I can do about that is to be on the other end of a phone when needed, but thanks to you prompting me to think about the above story, I am determined to do what I can.

Somehow I've got to get through a works xmas do this afternoon.

It's very hard, but life must go on.

Please take care.

[Sysman]

How exactly is it disgusting?

Welcome to my ignore list. And sod off too while I'm at it.