I am remembering my brother today as seven years have gone by since he passed away. I still remember that day, that phone call and then the days that followed. To lose my brother was beyond words, it was life changing and so unbelievably sad. It left me an only child and I miss him terribly. For my parents to lose their child was unimaginable, catastrophic, earth shattering, debilitating. It left them perpetually sad and nearly unable to be happy ever again. Over the years they have tried hard to be strong fighting tooth and nail to start each and every day. They smiled if you met them in the store, they went to church, they tried hard to cope with this horrible loss. But their hearts were shattered. Some of you out there know that pain, that loss, the struggle of getting out of bed everyday...and some of you don't. I encourage you to not be afraid to talk about loved ones lost. Don't be afraid to tell someone you are thinking of them and that you are sorry. Sometimes it's nice to remember and to have that person acknowledged. These things happen to us all eventually and a kind word or smile can make someones day. Let them know they aren't alone. You won't say the wrong thing, just start by saying "hi, you've been on my mind" and the rest will just follow.
"here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when September ends"
~Green Day
