Comments on: The Day After

By: Courtney

Courtney — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:19:30 +0000

Sending an understanding hug your way.

By: Joey

Joey — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:08:02 +0000

Beautiful writing. Excellent post.

Forget about returning to normal, I say. After losing a loved one, you are changed forever, never to be the same person again. I have experienced many such losses throughout my life, and now at 37 years old, I’ve experienced another.

On August 4, a younger brother of a friend of mine, shot himself in the head with a 9mm handgun while sitting in his pickup truck, parked in the driveway at his mother’s south Louisiana home. He passed away at the hospital some 5 hours later. He was just 23 years old.

The reasons that he chose to take his own life are unclear at this time, but I’m sure those reasons will never make sense to us.

Could I have said or done something to prevent this? Probably not, but I will never know.

So, life goes on for me. But, once again I am forever changed by tragedy and sorrow. Forget about returning to normal, I say.

Thanks for allowing me to share. You can’t imagine how hard it is for a 37 year-old oilfield worker to express his feelings to his friends, coworkers, and family.

By: Kristabella

Kristabella — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:19:28 +0000

That just breaks my heart. I think people think getting back to “normal” and in a routine will makes things easier. But I’m not sure that they actually ever do. But it seems like a good solution.

By: Teej

Teej — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:32:50 +0000

I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. You’re a strong cookie.

By: gorillabuns

gorillabuns — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:54:30 +0000

As an adult, it’s hard to come to grips with death. As a child and/or teenager, it’s even more baffling. I’m sorry your mother didn’t let you find your way with grieving that next day. It’s actually quite heartbreaking.

By: Cze-Johnson Carrie

Cze-Johnson Carrie — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:28:23 +0000

no words of mine can add to this post. just thank you once again for sharing yourself. I feel like a better person for having read this…. having witnessed YOU.

By: sizzle

sizzle — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:46:27 +0000

I dropped out of school after my dad died but I was 19 and had that option. I can only imagine how extremely difficult that was to go to school so soon after your father’s passing at that age. :-(

This though: “to slur profanities like sloppy joes across the cafeteria” is a fantastic image. Great writing in this piece.

Big Hug.

By: Lara

Lara — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:12:26 +0000

i just want to hug you so much. my dad died when i was a junior in high school, and he was a teacher AT my high school, so i can totally relate to having everyone stare at you and whisper as you pass them in the halls. it was awful, and i just hid from all my feelings for years and years. too bad we couldn’t have been there to support each other, eh? :-/

By: apathy lounge

apathy lounge — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:19:10 +0000

My kingdom for a mom who could admit (years later) her mistakes. Peace to you…and to her.

By: LVGurl

LVGurl — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:10:37 +0000

I’m so sorry you had to go through any of this. Losing your dad (and so young), answering The Questions, trying to grieve while dealing with all the eyes on you…