Help a dear friend and her family survive the loss of a child.

This one is pretty much going to be on going for the next several years. The immediate crisis is over though. Under the circumstances I think they are coping extremely well even though they are very angry and hurt. They visit his grave everyday and write a letter to him in heaven everyday. They shower attention on the two remaining children. My friend is suffering doubly because she lost her male companion of 20 years, too. I’ve spent a lot of time with her and helped her get out of the house. It’s going to take a lot of time but I am a very patient woman.

this is one of the few times I wish I had enough money so that I could just support my friend financially until she is healthy and able to support herself. I’ve been condemning a distant blonde relative for obviously marrying an unattractive man for his money. She’s since made sure her family doesn’t lack for anything. I guess money can make life easier even if it doesn’t buy happiness.As a child of the sixties, I have always thought the pursuit of money was evil so I pursued happiness first and foremost. I married for love not money. I don’t regret it as I have a husband I love and trust. There will be insurance and the house is mine if he passes first. If my friend had only pushed a little harder for her own financial security before he died and married him. Things would be a whole lot different for her today. I will help her as much as I can.

I’m so tired. Just got home after spending the night with her last night. He left her without anything. Even her home isn’t permanent because they never got married. Right now it looks like his family is allowing her to stay there but who knows what the future will bring? I’m glad I was able to ease the burden of her family some. They have been through too much.

I’m on my way to see her. Please say prayrs for rainbowbridge. He had an unexpected heart attack. She’s devastated.

I talked and listened to my friend about an hour a few nights ago. She’s doing things with her boyfried so she isn’t shutting down. she just can’t go anyplace that reminder her of her nephew. I understand. I think they are doing about as well as could be expected. School starting and they are going back to work. A familiar routine will probably help.

I’ve never been to a funeral where there were so many people whose life had been touched by this kid. It had to be held in a 1500 seat theater. Maybe 800 people were there. The cars going to the graveside looked at least a mile long. It was the longest I’ve ever seen and I was part of it! The service was beautiful, sad and touching. Songs were played and sung that were meaningful to him and to the family. I helped write a poem with my friend to him. People seemed to love it. it was on his obit flyer. He loved cowboys, music, cooking, and daffils. The world will not be the same without him. I tried to comfort my friend and her family but all they did was thank me for the poem. I felt like they weren’t letting me get too close by defensively being nice to me. I don’t know if that makes sense. They deflected my attention and caring to something about me. I didn’t want my attempts at comfort to be deflected. All 3 sisters did it so I don’t think I imagined it. Well, I’m sure I’ll have more chances in the days to come. I know they feel so bad there’s really nothing at all I can do.

and all ready my husband has copped out on going with me. He usually cops out when these things are for his friends, too. I’m dressed and ready. Just needed a minute to gather my nerve. I helped my friend write up some things about her nephew and carried her home Friday. I was going to bake some cookies for them but I just couldn’t stand to be in the hot kitchen. It’s been in the 90s and we don’t have AC. Cookies aren’t going to help. I might as well get this over with. Monday is the funeral.

He was only 7. He had a fatal disease. My friend was his aunt but that doesn’t diminish her pain and anger at God for taking him. He was in and out of a specialty hospital for 10 months out of state. I can’t even begin to imagine how they suffered. The mother kept a blog on caringbridge so I knew day to day what was going on. Reading his daily ups and downs was hard for me but I know it was harder still for his parents to watch. Watching your child die has to be an unimaginable torment. I don’t know if I can make a difference or not. They are supposed to be back with his body today. I don’t know what the funeral arrangements are yet. I just want us all to survive this. The last time I went to the funeral of a child was around a year ago. This little boy drowned. I think he was 9. The whole experience felt so unreal. It was hard to believe he couldn’t get up and tell us all that he was okay. I dread this so much but I will make through.