In Memoriam

[audreyld]

I know for a number of people, Christmas is terribly bittersweet, as family gatherings emphasize those no longer with us.

So, I thought we'd take a minute to give a nod to those who will not be with us this holiday season.

My dad's parents: my grandmother's passing means an altered Christmas routine for the first time in my 25 years.

My mom.

 

[Cadet]

Good thread, UT. Sorry to hear about your loved ones.

For us, Grandma passed right before Thanksgiving. It was really a blessing, but still hard.

We also had a local lady die last week in a horrible accident. I've been thinking of her family a lot.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

We have a very good friend who got a very bad diagnosis in August. This may well be his last Christmas Eve with us after 20 of them. If anyone's drinking a Newcastle tonight, raise it for Dr. Ed, OK?

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

God bless us all, everyone.

 

[Chi City 81]

Condolences, UT.

I'm in a similar situation. I got a call from my Mom yesterday and found out my godmother died at 3 a.m. Happy freaking holidays.

 

[BYH]

That sucks Good Doc.

Always awful to lose loved ones, but it seems particularly cruel around the holidays.

Best wishes to everyone who posts on this thread...and those whom they are thinking of.

 

[Flash]

Thanks for starting this, UT. I never miss my dad more than I do at Christmas time. He always made it such a special day and it hasn't been the same since he died in 1996.

Doc, sorry to hear about your godmother.

I hope everyone has a healthy and happy holiday otherwise.

 

[joe]

The toll this year: a good friend, an uncle, Grandma. How many more days until 2007?

 

[buckweaver]

Doc -- sorry to hear that, man. That sucks.

Joe -- you and me both. Bring on '07.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

I'm lucky in that the family is unchanged. I hope my stepfather can start to feel better, but it FAR from life-threatening.

A dear aunt of a friend of mine, with terminal cancer, made it to Christmas after she was not supposed to. My friend flew back up and will get to see her one last time.

Things like that make me remember that my situation, no matter what I think, isn't so bad.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

In 1980 I took vacation and went home for the holidays. My dad and I drove an hour to pick up his mom a couple days before Christmas and when we got there she was dead. Yeah, that was a bad one.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

In 1980 I took vacation and went home for the holidays. My dad and I drove an hour to pick up his mom a couple days before Christmas and when we got there she was dead. Yeah, that was a bad one.

Oh man, Frank. That stinks. Royally.

 

[hockeybeat]

Holy Mother of God, I was about to start a similar thread.

As most of you know, I'm not a big fan of the holidays. I'm just not. It's the way I am. I'm not a very sentimental person. I really have no use for it.

But this year, I'm finding myself being sentimental. My grandfather passed away early Dec. 2. He was 19 days away from his 82nd birthday. In the truest sense of the word, my grandfather was a hero. He fought in WWII, Korea and 'Nam. He was in Berlin when The Wall was being built. He is missed desperately by his wife of 59 years, whom he met in Italy during WWII, his three children, their children and their children's children.

On Thursday, my mother, who is still with my grandmother, called to say that my Godfather passed away last Sunday.

Two men that I could count on for a pat on the head or a kick in the ass are now gone. I miss them both very much. But, in their passing, they taught me one final lesson: To tell the people I love just how much they mean to me.

There are a great many of you here--you know who you are, I don't have to name names--that are like family to me. And I love you all very much.

 

[Chi City 81]

I'm very sorry for your losses, hb.

 

[slappy4428]

Bo.

 

[HeinekenMan]

I lost a good friend this year. He was in his 80s. He had a good life. I feel guilty for not spending much time thinking about him, but I get bummed every time I think about it. I guess it's been almost three months now. Thanks for reminding me to have him in my thoughts this holiday season. It brings back some great memories of past years. May you have happy thoughts of your loved ones as this year draws to a close, and may 2007 bring many blessings.

 

[Double J]

My condolences to everyone who has lost loved ones and/or friends this past year.

 

[Smallpotatoes]

Both grandmothers this year. My dad's mom in May. She was 96. My mom's mom passed about 10 days ago. She was 91.

 

[Claws for Concern]

There's a Sports and News thread up, but James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, passed away today. RIP

 

[Bullrog]

My best friend died in September.
Yes, he was my dog, but he was also the best friend I could ever ask for.
He was a part of my life for 14 years and I'll be forever grateful for what he meant to me.

It will always be strange for me to go back to my dad's house and for my dog to not be there. There's just an empty feeling in that house that will always remain with me.