So sad today

[catsrock]

My Uncle Joe died yesterday after a brief illness and I can't stop crying. I feel like I've dealt with so much grief in my life and I still don't process it well. Having trouble this morning being able to move or do anything. Here's a pic of Joe from his younger days with my cousin, Jeff, on his shoulders - Jeff is in his 40s now, haha! Joe was always smiling and happy no matter what life threw at him. I wish I could be more like that.

[Hidden]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Please take care of yourself.

[catsrock in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much.

[Hidden in reply to catsrock]

You're welcome. It's so tough losing a relative. I lost my mom in August 2021. I remember what the hospice social worker told me. She said that grief is like a rock that you carry around in your pocket. Some days it's a boulder (unbearably painful) and other days it's much smaller (bearable pain).

Everyone processes grief differently. I've been processing my mom's passing by making things that remind me of her. I've also been writing her a letter.

[catsrock in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for that rock analogy. Very helpful. I'm sorry about your mom.

[Hidden in reply to catsrock]

Thanks. I appreciate it

[MadBunny]

Im so sorry to hear of your loss. Sending you heartfelt condolences and big hugs 🤗🤗

[catsrock in reply to MadBunny]

Thank you so much.

[MadBunny in reply to catsrock]

🤗🤗🤗

[kenster1]

sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers to the family god bless.

[catsrock in reply to kenster1]

Thank you!

[KCLombo]

ing through Grief is a cycle, it can a long time . Just allow yourself the permission to do it and hopefully you will find yourself on the other side.

[catsrock in reply to KCLombo]

Thank you!

[AFdale]

Sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you.

[catsrock in reply to AFdale]

Thank you so much.

[Agora1]

My deepest sympathy to you catsrock on your loss.

Remember his smile and strength. He lived life to the fullest xx

[catsrock in reply to Agora1]

Thank you.

[EndUser13]

I'm so sorry for your loss... though I'm glad you are crying it out. Grief serves a purpose, even though it sucks.

I LOVE this picture, they look so happy! I hope you can remember Joe as he looks in this picture 😍

[catsrock in reply to EndUser13]

I will do my best to remember him that way. He was a great person.

[SayNOtoPanic]

So sorry for your loss. So sad. Beautiful picture of your Uncle Joe. May he Rest In Peace. Prayers up to you and your family. Hang in there.

[catsrock in reply to SayNOtoPanic]

Thank you.

[bonkers65]

Am so sorry (((HUGS)))

[catsrock in reply to bonkers65]

Thank you.

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

My condolences to you and your family ❤️🫂

[catsrock in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

Thank you.

[Stippler]

I am sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to you and your family. 🙏🙏🙏

[catsrock in reply to Stippler]

Thank you.

[bethelbee]

So sorry for your loss; take time to grieve but also take care of yourself. My condolences....

[catsrock in reply to bethelbee]

Thank you.

[Catt02]

I am so sorry for the tremendous loss you've suffered of your dear uncle. It's easy to see you've got a kind and beautiful spirit and a deep, emotional sensitivity that brings you much joy and potentially, much sadness too. I quite understand the delicate nature of such sensitivity. Because after losing what was left of my family, one brother to suicide, I lost my last 2 furry family members in 2015, firstly my inherited, late brother's cat of 18 yrs, then my little buddy, cat also of 18 yrs, I lost the will to live. It was a profound sadness, debilitating, mental anguish, I could scarcely bury my face in my hands in grief. I was just in tears every day going forward. By the summer of 2016, I finally took a bottle of Nembutal and overdosed and fell unconscious when my wife found me on the stairs, not breathing with pneumonia. The paramedics revived me and took to hospital. When I awoke, I had no idea how I got there or even why and couldn't answer the basic questions of my name, date, location, reason for being there. Really scared my wife. But after 4 days, was cleared and released. I was extremely depressed but the Monday, I went to my psychiatrist, began the 30 day rapid-detox off from Benzodiazepines, over 6 yrs ago. Meanwhile, a new furry family member "Gigi" had found and adopted me. She has since been helping my recovery. She is so precious and has been a real lifesaver!! Hopefully, sometime soon, we can both come to some measure of peace ☮️

[Babe1213 in reply to Catt02]

Thank you for sharing your story Catt02, it has taken great courage to write so freely. As a trainee Samaritan in UK in 1982 - we learned how to come alongside people who were grieving for their pets. The majority of people think grieving for pets to be crazy, but we are all human, all different, all unique even, and our pets are 'one of us.' It sounds like it was not your time to die, and your wife plus paramedics worked quickly with you, I am pleased they revived you and that you are on the mend.

Great news in your new family member 'Gigi' adopting you, I wish you many years of happiness and joy together. I will certainly pray for your peace.

[catsrock in reply to Catt02]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm so happy you now have Gigi!

[Babe1213]

Death is the only sure thing in life! It is a fact that we all will die at some time, none of us know when or how, but that is reality. Death always comes as a shock, whenever it comes, to whoever it comes, shock comes with it. I have lost many people close to me through death, I have also officiated at funerals/cremations of many people I have never met. Sometimes the sheer volume of death gets my spirit down very quickly, and I wonder how I will cope. I am sad to hear of the loss of your Uncle Joe, catsrock. Looking at the photo of Uncle Joe brings to mind someone who is very much alive and happy with his family life. That is such a true blessing, Jeff was indeed blessed to have Joe as his dad, just as you have been blessed with Joe as uncle.

After many years of practice I have found my answer to grief through the death of a loved one. I think back to the years of memories I have accumulated over time. It doesn't make the pain of loss easier, but it does help ease the severity of the pain, and in time you will be able to turn your tears of loss to tears of joy. Tears are a natural process which will help you to cope, so let them flow.

You mention Joe's smile, despite life throwing 'whatever' at him. When you feel at your lowest, in your mind see Joe before you, and look for that smile, as you look, you will see that he is at peace.

You don't say anything about having a faith on your post, but you haven't denied the wonderful messages from the guys on here who have said they will pray for you. With this in mind I am going to write a Christian prayer which I hope will bring you comfort.

Heavenly Father, We, all of us here, give you thanks for the gift of life. Thank you LORD for Joe's life, for all that he shared with his family and friends, the love of family especially Jeff and any other children he had, and for his loving relationship with his niece - known to us as 'catsrock', for his friendship with others, and his caring ways, for the fun he shared, and his ability to smile in the face of adversity. We ask now Lord, that you accept Joe into your heavenly kingdom, to the place you have prepared for him. Give to Joe the peace that passes all understanding, and confirm in him the hope of resurrection to new life. To Jeff, catsrock, family, friends, colleagues, give to them the release of tears, and the comfort of your grace.

Help each person through this time of grieving and bring them to a place of healing and of acceptance, encourage them to use their five inbuilt senses to remember Joe, his feel, his smell, his touch, his taste, and the sound of his voice. Be gentle Lord in these coming days and bring hope to each one. In Jesus' mighty name. May Joe rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen! The Bible Reading JOHN 14: 1 - 6, may be helpful.

[catsrock in reply to Babe1213]

Thank you. I realized I wasn't clear about the picture. Joe had no children of his own - Jeff is his nephew.

[metalminded]

I’m so sorry for your loss!

[catsrock in reply to metalminded]

Thank you!

[metalminded]

you’re welcome

[Duke1830]

Sending hugs, so very sorry to hear 😢

[catsrock in reply to Duke1830]

Thank you.