Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha'olam, dayan ha-emet.

[nullalux]

I don't think I've wrapped my head around this yet, but Uncle Andy is gone. Yesterday morning he was walking down the street in sunny Santa Monica with Aunt Heidi, a family friend, when he had a heart attack. He was conscious when he was taken to the hospital, but died shortly thereafter. He was not ill, had no known health issues, was only in his mid-60s. After we got the phone call, tutordennis left immediately to drive to Elk Grove and tell his mother that her brother was gone.

Where is consolation? I am glad Heidi was with Andy, and that he knew she was there. I'm glad he got to meet his new nephew, Benjamin Andrew, earlier this month (named for Grandpa Ben, Andy's father). I am glad for the support of our friends and families.

But I wonder what will happen with Grandma Furn, since Andy had moved in to keep her company after Grandpa's death a few years ago (it seems beyond painful to have to bury both your husband and your son). I wonder what will happen to the family business, run primarily by Andy. I wonder what Thanksgiving will be like without him.

I initially wondered why this happened. But there is no why; it just happened. Can anyone really get The Call at any time, about anyone? I lit the yahrzeit for my father last night, who died a few days before Thanksgiving as well. I can't believe it's been fifteen years since he took his leave of us.

Comments

[scazon.livejournal.com]

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים.

[eeyore-grrl.livejournal.com]

*hugs* i am sorry for you loss.

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, both for this loss and for the recent losses that you and your family have suffered. Do take care.

[polyphonicvegan.livejournal.com]

I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Death rarely seems to come at a just or predictable time. I lost my father a year and a month or so ago and it still makes no sense. I wonder how I'll feel in 15 or 50 years.

I love that picture of your Uncle Andy; his spirit shines through so beautifully.

Hugs to you and yours.

[pure-agnostic.livejournal.com]

*hug* Sorry about the loss of your uncle. My condolences to your family.

[chalepa-ta-kala.livejournal.com]

Todah rabah, my friend. May we hear only besorot tovot from each other in future.

[scazon.livejournal.com]

אמן.

[evilgrins.livejournal.com]

that really sucks

[mykeamend.livejournal.com]

Sorry for your loss - this one and those previous.

I can't imagine there ever being a good time for such things, but I am glad he was able to meet his nephew.

*Hugs*

[curieuse.livejournal.com]

So very sorry to hear this. :-(

[danea.livejournal.com]

My sincere condolences to both you & tutordennis.

[iterum.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear it. :(

My mother's parents both died unexpectedly near a Thanksgiving and a Christmas; it's hard.

[shaix.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry for your loss! I was surprised to see this picture on my friends page, because D and I were just looking through the photos last week.

Sadly, I think the answer to your question is yes, and being mindful of that makes the world a more amazing and terrifying place.

::hugs::

[juverna.livejournal.com]

I'm so very sorry.

Just based on your post and that photo, I already have an impression of him as an excellent human being.

Hugs and love to you both.

[as2.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry to read this. What a wonderful picture too.

Thinking of you and your family.

[turnberryknkn.livejournal.com]

I'm very, very sorry.

[jedusor.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, dear. :(

[launasilverbear.livejournal.com]

The sudden loss of someone healthy is so shocking. I'm sorry he is no longer with you.

I understand how hard it is when you remember a loved one and realize it has been years since they were with you. My father died when I was 13...and now that I do the math, I realize that it has been 20 years. I sometimes think about what he has missed since then...all the holidays and milestones...and then I remember that he is still with me. Our loved ones don't stop caring about us when they're gone, just like we don't stop caring about them. So I try to remember that when the loss feels sharp.

[magna-maxima.livejournal.com]

I am very sorry for your loss and its poignant timing. :( *hugs*

[sinmix.livejournal.com]

my condolences to you and yours.

[ice-queen82.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry to hear that... love to you all.

Take consolation from the fact that he died quickly. I always find that a great consolation, having seen the alternatives... Peace.