The Kindly Ones

This has been such a rough few days.  My brother's death has generated a flurry of activity.  I've
actually been at the heart of some of it.  I had no idea that dealing with a close family member's passing was such hard work!  There's so much to be taken care of -- certificates, accounts, notifying people, claiming possessions, cleaning out apartments, organizing services and memorials.  It's insane. 

When I found out on Thursday, we were all in rough shape.  It came as quite a shock that he had passed - he seemed in such god health and good shape.  It just shows that appearances can be deceiving.  This whole episode has heightened my awareness of both my help and the state of my affairs.  I want to make sure that I don't send everyone scrambling around to figure out who my friends are, who my doctor is, and whether or not I have a will when I die.  The surviving family members just end up with so much crap to deal with.

The outflowing of support from friends and family is unbelievable.  They say you find out who your real friends are at times like these.  Well, apparently we have a lot of friends - and I have a lot of friends.  It chokes me up to feel the love from all of them, wherever they happen to be in the world.  

At least as far as we know, he passed away happy and quickly.  By God's grace, he is resting in peace.

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