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Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: Strayboy74 on October 31, 2008, 12:25:33 am

Title: tetherless
Post by: Strayboy74 on October 31, 2008, 12:25:33 am
I’m making the third of my four batches of brownies for my niece and nephew’s school halloween party. I signed up for the adventure in early September, before I realized how worn out I would be from my new job and school. I’m using a recipe I found on the internet earlier this month.

I just checked my phone, and discovered that my cousin, Eric, with whom I spent many summers of my youth - an escape from the physical and mental abuse of my father - passed away today. He has been battling skin cancer for some time. And despite my attempts at reconnecting with him, he kept pushing me away. He has pioneered many of the same experimental healthcare adventures that I believe my friend, Jaybee is undergoing.

Fun with Melanoma.

That was the name of his blog. Knowing Eric, and his acerbic sense of humor - said to run in my family, mostly in kind it was often referred to as ‘lunn humor’- he always tried to find a laugh in the toughest of pain. Eric was an amazing human being, and in many ways, my brother. Reading his blog has always been difficult for me. And, although I possess a similar sense of humor, I have never been able to even feign a grimace through his experiences in fun ...with melanoma.

I have an estranged relationship with my family (those distant in relationship to me - the only ones surviving in death) and now I’m thinking it might be time to forgive and to pick up the phone.

I ask all of you, in reading this, to lift your love to the light and send positive thoughts to those whose lives he has touched in his brief stay in this existence. I’m certain that through all of his adventures, he was smiling until his pains were gone. And I’m sure that in addition to myself, there are others who will miss him beyond his understanding. I have comfort in knowing that he iis once again with his mother.

So… Tomorrow, the brownies will be served, and the children will smile. And, when the two-thirty bell rings, and all the children go home, eager to beg neighbors for Halloween candy, none of them will ever know that they live in a world robbed of the beauty and the magic spread by my loving cousin, Eric.

Wherever you are, Eric, I love you.

-Joseph
http://www.myspace.com/strayboy

“You used to rock me in the cradle of your arms
You said you’d hold me til the pains of life were gone
You said you’d comfort me in times like these
and now I need you
Now I need you
And you are gone”

- Wanting Memories, Sweet Honey in the Rock
Title: Re: tetherless
Post by: GSOgymrat on October 31, 2008, 01:33:31 am
Very sorry about your cousin. He sounds like an interesting guy.

I hope you do pick up the phone.

Ford
Title: Re: tetherless
Post by: weasel on October 31, 2008, 06:54:40 am
sorry to hear about your loss  :-*

     very sad indeed .

     Do pick up the phone , i LOVE to reconnect with Family .

     It always  brings JOY  when we remember a loved one, with a loved one !

                                                the best to you ,

                                                                          Karl

                                         
Title: Re: tetherless
Post by: Longislander on November 01, 2008, 12:59:41 am
Joseph, I'm really sorry about your cousin.  Very sweet , loving post.


Paul
Title: Re: tetherless
Post by: skeebo1969 on November 01, 2008, 05:22:17 pm

  Joseph,

    Melanoma is one treacherous beast.  I am sorry your cousin had to deal with one of the most deadliest forms of cancer there is.  This is the same cancer one of my favorite people in life also died from.

   Sorry for your loss...
Title: Re: tetherless
Post by: Alain on November 01, 2008, 05:44:45 pm
Joseph,

My sincere condolences for the loss of your cousin Eric.

Take care, Alain.
Title: Re: tetherless
Post by: Andy Velez on November 01, 2008, 05:52:16 pm
Condolences on the loss of your special cousin.

I'm glad you have a niece and nephew for whom you can be such a good uncle. It won't take away the pain of your loss, but it is its own sweetness.

Hugs.
Title: Re: tetherless
Post by: Strayboy74 on November 03, 2008, 12:37:52 am
thanks.

I'm sad for his fiance, mostly... she's been with him through the entire battle.

Life and death... it is what it is.

-joseph