General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis storm has cost the life of a very good young man.
My son found out this evening that one of his very best friends has died after suffering a heart attack after shoveling snow in this terrible, bitter weather. His name was Jeff, a nice young man, never in the best of health, whom we have known since our sons were in cub scouts together. He still lived at home, as caretaker for his mother, who has MS, and his frail,aging grandmother. They found him on the kitchen floor, he'd come in to warm up and eat something before going back outside. Jeff's father had died a few short years ago, and his only sibling, a sister died years ago in a tragic auto accident, so Jeff was the only one who could care for his mother and grandmother. He was a good kid, and a fine young man, gone too soon. My son is devastated, we are in tears, and we are so very sad for his sweet mother.
There is so many more important things in life than arguing about belief systems. Hug your loved ones, tell your friends you care, stay safe, be warm, and be NICE! No one knows how long we will have those we love.
Peace.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)ScreamingMeemie
(68,918 posts)My thoughts are with you.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,599 posts)May he rest in peace.
aikoaiko
(34,169 posts)RIP, Jeff.
Stargazer09
(2,132 posts)To you, your son, and his friends family.
sheshe2
(83,750 posts)Heartbreaking news to his family and friends.
RIP, Jeff.
Raine1967
(11,589 posts)I am so very sorry, Pathwalker.
Please know that prayers are sent for you , your son and this young man's mother.
A Little Weird
(1,754 posts)PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)herding cats
(19,564 posts)You're so right, we too often don't take the time to exxpress our love to those dear to us while we can.
I wish you peace and the loving comfort of your family in the days to come.
spanone
(135,829 posts)Pathwalker
(6,598 posts)I have hardly ever started an OP, but I needed to share about the loss of this young man. He and my son were such great friends, and this is truly a deep and lasting sorrow for all of us. One thing I'd like to share about Jeff was that he had the most glorious Irish tenor singing voice I've ever heard. The first time he sang at a boy scout recital, there wasn't a dry eye in the auditorium.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Xipe Totec
(43,890 posts)I want to die young at the end of the day On the High Sea, with face to the sky, When agony is but a dream far away And the flight of my soul is a bird soaring by.
Let there be no sad tears as I draw my last breath, at one and alone with the sky and the sea, No sobbing, nor prayer, nor laments of death; I only would hear the deep waves cover me.
To die when the bright glow of twilight is fading, And catches the waves in its last net of light; To be like that sun as its luminous shading Expires and is lost in the arms of the night.
To die, and die young: before time has destroyed The delicate fabric illusion has spun; When life can still say:"I am yours," but the void Of a final echo tells us death has won!
- Gossamer Stories,
Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera,
Translated by John A. Crow
Cha
(297,180 posts)Wonderful tribute, Pathwalker~ I am so sorry~
countryjake
(8,554 posts)defacto7
(13,485 posts)Another good one lost... My thoughts go out to the family.
Skittles
(153,150 posts)some people are dealt the worst hands
TexasTowelie
(112,146 posts)Aerows
(39,961 posts)Peace to you and your family, and may Jeff be embraced by the Earth so that his goodness will continue on.
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)but shoveling snow kills a lot of people.
A Round Tuit
(88 posts)*
Tumbulu
(6,278 posts)and hope the poor mother and grandmother can make it through this terrible loss in the great cold storm!
tofuandbeer
(1,314 posts)nolabear
(41,960 posts)ashling
(25,771 posts)friendly_iconoclast
(15,333 posts)I've lost too many good friends that passed too soon, and it's never easy. Never.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)take it really easy, DUers.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)stonecutter357
(12,696 posts)dionysus
(26,467 posts)magical thyme
(14,881 posts)peace and healing to his remaining family and friends.
RIP Jeff
niyad
(113,278 posts)and you are so correct about the truly important things in life. thank you for reminding us.
ladyVet
(1,587 posts)Like you say, we don't know the number or our days here. Life is precious.
hedgehog
(36,286 posts)Worried senior
(1,328 posts)for so many people.
So sorry for the loss.
Fla Dem
(23,656 posts)tblue
(16,350 posts)Pathwalker
(6,598 posts)all of you for your kindness, and sympathy. Unfortunately, there is, and will be no news regarding funeral arrangements: the weather has put ALL funerals on hold for now; and Jeff's mother is currently under the care of extended family members, as might be expected, she is not handling her son's death very well at all.
Again, thank you all. Stay warm, stay safe, hug your loved ones.
Peace.
pacalo
(24,721 posts)Having helped caring for my mother in her final years, I have no doubt Jeff was an extraordinary young man. He must have been an angel on Earth.
My heart aches for his mother & grandmother. I'm so sorry for their loss (& yours).
malaise
(268,966 posts)Imagine the pain for his mother and grandmother.
scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)I'm so sorry for that family. How awful. Condolences to all...
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)tight. This weather is a killer
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)I'm so sorry for this tragic loss. Rest in peace, Jeff.
LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)Those are the saddest stories, families that have seemingly zero luck. The world is fucking cruel.
RIP
Auntie Bush
(17,528 posts)Coyote_Bandit
(6,783 posts)Nobody knows the price those caregivers pay.
What a remarkable and self-sacrificing young man.
May he and those he loved find rest and peace.
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)markpkessinger
(8,395 posts)There's so little one can say in the face of such a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son, and with the young man's family.