Death in the family... and beyond

[wiseheart]

My uncle died last night. Mum is devastated, of course, the poor thing. It isn't that they'd have been close - my uncle and his late wife were mean to us in the past - but he was the only one from her generation still alive. Now she's alone. Granted, she has me, but that's not the same. I know the stories of her childhood, but I can't remember. That's a very different cup of tea.

Also, one of my colleagues died two days ago. She was a year younger than I. She was ill, of course, had heart problems and half a dozen other ones, but it's still shocking somehow.

I guess this heat isn't helping anyone. *sigh*

Comments

[red-day-dawning.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear of your family's loss. It must be so sad for your Mum.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

It is. Even though it wasn't entirely unexpected.

[artemis10002000]

I'm so sorry for your losses! Even though they weren't close I can understand it hit your Mom hard. Gotta be tough to be the last one.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Grandma was the same. She outlived all her siblings (she had seven!) by decades.

[artemis10002000]

That is good to hear! I'm sure your mum will be the same.

[artemis10002000]

...and then I realized that this could sound kinda weird, but I think you know what I mean? It bodes well for your mom's future health, doesn't have to be discouraging that she is the last.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

That's all right, I know what you meant. :)

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry hugs.

I doubt I'd last very long in heat without my a/c unit. it is lethal.Hope it soon cools down.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, we don't have an a/c unit, and the concrete building we live in is unbearable during daytime.

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sorry. I know how your mother feels; it is a horrible feeling.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

It is. Thank you.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

So much sympathy for your mom! My dad was the last one left of his immediate family too, and though he wasn't that close to them, he felt it too. Having you there is a great comfort to her.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I do my best. We weren't close to my uncle, either, but still, he was the last part of Mum's childhood, which is now irreversibly gone.

[sammydragoncat]

*hugs* I am so sorry to hear about your uncle. My mother had a hard time when my uncle died, and it is hard to see her going through that. All you can do is offer your love and support.

And I know what a shock it is when a colleague dies - even when they are sick. It is still a shock. *hugs*

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you. At the moment I am more concerned about Mum at the funeral next week. It will be still fairly hot, and she insist on wearing black. *sigh*

[jen-rock.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your losses. My uncle died in May after a long struggle with heart problems. Even though we knew it was coming, it was still a shock. On the same day we found out about his death, my dad (his younger brother) had to be admitted to the hospital for a serious medical issue and he ended up being in the hospital for close to two weeks. He missed the funeral. Plus, this year has also seen the death of a distant relative and a close friend. It hasn't been an easy year so far so I know how you feel.

~hugs~

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you. We went through the funeral well enough yesterday, morbidly amused by the fact that we didn't recognize half the extended family whom we rarelx see, so it was bearable for Mum.

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

Belated condolences.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It's harder on Mum than on me, even though my uncle did his level best not to endear himself to us - but being the last of her generation is hard. Especially as she's just lost one of her best friends half a year ago.

[ithilwen.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for the loss of your uncle.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks. As I mentioned before, it's more Mum's loss than mine. She bears it bravely, but it's hard on her nonetheless.

[lhun-dweller.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear of your uncle's death. It must feel strange to be the last one left of one's family.

My two sisters and I all chose not to have children, so my parents have been going through the things they saved from our childhood and their own belongings, asking what we might like to have and giving the rest away to folks who can use them. I'm so grateful, and I realize The Beloved and I should be thinking about these matters, as we have no children and neither do either of my sisters. His brothers have 2, 3 and 2 apiece, but I wouldn't want them to have to deal with our stuff. On my to-do list in the next few months, once my work situation settles down a bit more, is to make a will and really think through what should happen to my stuff when I'm gone.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I've thought about it, too, since I don't have children, either. I'm trying to give away stuff to charity on a regular basis, or sell the books to second-hand bookshops, but the flat keeps fílling up when we don't pay attention...