Sunday, August 30, 2009

No WoRDS

My friend's husband lost his 3-1/2 year battle with brain cancer over the weekend. I'm at a loss. I have a friend who is now a widow at the age of 44. She has three beautiful daughters, ages 12, 10 and 8, and their fourth child is the boy they had always hoped for who would carry on the family name. He is almost 5, and was named after his father.

We are going to Philadelphia for the wake and funeral, a quick 36-hour trip, but I need to be there. I can't even put into words what I'm feeling for my friend.

21 comments:

justme said...

i am truly sorry. i am sure your presence will help her

MaBunny said...

I'm so sorry Stephanie. My thoughts are with your friend and her children while going through this difficult time. Have a safe trip.

morninglight mama said...

My sincere condolescences, Steph. Go be with your friend, and hold her tight.

anymommy said...

I am so sorry. I'm thinking of you and of her.

DawnfromCA said...

You are so right. There are no words to convey the enormity of a loss like this. Wishing you peace and your friend the strength to handle this tragedy. Hugs.

Amanda said...

Have a safe trip. Thinking of you.
x

Melisa Wells said...

Wow. I'm so sorry.

Monnik said...

I'm so sorry. It's a wonderful gesture for you to make the trip to the funeral. Such a sad situation.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

You're a good friend to go to the funeral. We still remember the people who traveled from far away to attend my FIL's funeral. It matters. And those who didn't attend were conspicuous in their absence.

Buy the children a copy of "The Carousel" by Liz Rosenberg for Christmas. It's a beautiful children's book about love and finding a connection to a parent after they are gone and healing. Maybe tuck it away for a while. I first saw it on Reading Rainbow. I've bought it for a few children who've lost a parent.

I'm sorry, Manic.

March2theSea said...

sorry to hear that. I had a highschool class mate pass away from cancer last week. The wake was last week..she has as 3 year old and fiancee. It was awful.

Kristin said...

You being there will provide your friend another shoulder to cry on and arms to hold her up. Travel safe. Thinking of you and your friend and their children.

xo

Unknown said...

I am so very, very sorry. All of you will be in my prayers.

Eileen said...

I am so very sorry for you, your husband and his family.

Kate said...

I'm so sorry to hear this. You are all in my prayers.

JODI said...

I've been in this place x2, sadly. Just remember when your life resumes "normal" your friend's life is forever altered. Even though you are far away call often just so she knows you are remembering her "normal" is a hard dark road. Time eases the pain of loss but never erases it. God's greatest gift is children, they give a widow a reason to rise each day and walk toward the light.

My Two Army Brats said...

That's terrible news. I'm so sorry!

Andie said...

I was in this situation two weeks ago when my mother in law died. We found out she had cancer on July 7th, and she passed away on August 19th.

Cancer sucks. there is no doubt about it.

Which is all the more reason for me to continue doing the Tour De Lis every year.

Hugs and condolences to you, Manic.

Michelle Kemper Brownlow said...

Oh Steph!

Prayers following you to Philly and back!

Kathryn said...

so sorry to hear about your friend and her children

I lost my mother to cancer 2 weeks ago

no matter what age, loosing your mother is unbelievably hard and you are right, there really are no words

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Oh my gosh, Kathryn, I am so truly sorry for your loss. I tried to find a website where I could email you personally. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

And thank you to all of you who have left such nice comments. My dear friend was a rock. Just full of grace and dignity.