Funeral today it has been an emotional day

@sissy15 (12269)
United States
September 16, 2022 3:42pm CST
The past few days I've been kind of in a rut. I mentioned that a good friend of the family died and I can honestly say that this hit me harder than I thought possible. I went to his funeral today and I have cried more than I thought imaginable. This one hurt. He was only 45 and had two kids. I keep thinking about how unfair the world is. He was such a good man and today the community showed up. The church was packed. This man touched everyone in the community. We have always considered him and his wife and kids family. My mom and I babysat the kids from the time they were babies until they started school and have seen them off and on since. That connection didn't leave when we stopped babysitting them. They've been family to us ever since and when I say this hurts I mean this hurts. I've cried more over this man than I did most of my biological family that passed. Almost no one had a bad word to say about him. He had a heart of gold and I keep going back to some of our last words with him and thinking about how unjust the world is. He should be getting to live a long full life with his wife and kids while there are terrible people who get to live to be in their 80s. He went out running and played sports and coached his kids sports teams he lived a good healthy life but cancer took him way too early. My son was on his son's soccer team when they were little and he coached and he was so patient with my son. He used to joke that my son hated him because my son was afraid of him but to be fair my son was afraid of everyone at that age but it didn't help that this man was 6'7". His funeral was hard. I didn't go to the visitation or the burial and luncheon after because of other obligations but I wanted to make sure I showed up to something. I know his wife and kids didn't know I was there but I still wanted to go and pay my last respects. My heart broke for them. When I met them 15 years ago I never saw any of our lives going the way they have. I feel blessed to have known them. I may not have had a big impact on their lives but they had a big one on mine. They knew so many people and he was loved by so many people. For his visitation, I guess the car line up was over a mile long. He was just so loved. I'm glad his wife and kids have a big support system they are going to need it in the months and years ahead. I just hope everyone keeps being there for them. To see them walking down in front of his casket broke me. I hate that I can't do more for them. That man fought harder than anyone should ever have to fight to stay with his family only for it to end this way and that makes me angry and upset but I know he wouldn't want anyone to feel that way. I am just trying to process everything. Today just made everything more real. I can't and don't want to imagine what they are going through right now. The last time I remember talking to him my mom had asked him how everyone was and I remember him saying "what I can say is as far as I know everything is ok". It was very cryptic and we had no idea that he was fighting cancer. They tried to keep it quiet for a while but when everyone found out the whole city tried to help with fundraisers and support. I am happy to at least know that he knew how loved he was. I just wish he could see everyone that was there for him. He was the kind of guy who gave endlessly and asked for nothing in return. To say this man was loved is an understatement. I just wish he would have won his battle as does everyone who knew him. You never know what life has in store and I hate that he didn't get more time. Part of me wishes I would have reached out more but at the same time, I knew they needed space during this time. They had and have so many people who love them. I was a small part on their journey but I will always consider them family. I feel there were a lot of people who considered them family. There was never a time when we were out and about that we saw them that they didn't stop and talk to us or ask how our son was doing. I am glad that his wife and kids are being supported by so many people and I hope it never stops. I think knowing his family was supported was the only thing that made this easier for him. I still want to do something special for them I just don't know what yet I've really been thinking about things I can do for them.
6 people like this
3 responses
@kaylachan (58425)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Sep 22
First of all, sorry for the loss. Second, don't be afraid to reach out. Let them know you're there for them, and just wait for them to tell you if there is something they'll need.
1 person likes this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
17 Sep 22
Thank you, I just want to give them time to grieve they have so many people already there for them I imagine they're overwhelmed. I might try and make something special for them and mail it to them. I just need to figure out what I can do. I'd like to do something with his pictures but I don't have a lot of him. I mostly have photos I took of his kids when they were little.
1 person likes this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
17 Sep 22
@kaylachan I will eventually but I know for a fact his best friend has been there for them so I know they aren't alone and I will eventually reach out just not yet it is still very new and fresh and they have to be exhausted from the past few days. His best friend has been there from the beginning for them. He went to the kids games with them the past few weeks and has made himself available to his wife and kids. I am not just assuming but I know she has someone and isn't alone. Grief is exhausting and sometimes having everyone messaging you and calling you and coming up to you can be a lot and while I don't know for sure if that's her case I don't want to be another person she feels she has to talk to if she doesn't feel like talking even if it is asking if she needs anything. I've talked to people who are close to her and I know they are being taken care of. If I didn't know for sure I would ask. His parents are currently down helping with the kids his best friend has been helping and her family has been there too.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58425)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Sep 22
@sissy15 Anything you come up with is welcomed. But, at the same time, don't assume. Just because something appears one way, doesn't mean it is. Hence why, I said you need to reach out and ask. Let them tell you. You could be grounded by well-intended people, and still be alone. The one who asks, is the one who cares. Put yourself out there. Let them decide.
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Sep 22
So very sorry for your loss. Being there for those who have lost a loved one means a lot. I can tell you that from experience. Thoughts are with you and the family.
1 person likes this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
17 Sep 22
Thanks, mostly I pray for his wife and kids and his mother and siblings. They are the ones with the biggest loss. I feel like his kids are the part that makes this hardest for me.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
17 Sep 22
@sissy15 Just being there for them will make a huge difference.
@Aiana18 (698)
• Belo Horizonte, Brazil
16 Sep 22
This man had a beautiful life because he managed to touch the hearts of many people with his kindness. Unfortunately, the pain of loss is inevitable, but if you tell the family of the deceased how you feel, take their hug and provide some support if necessary, that is already being very generous of you. The sincerity of one who is truly sorry is a comfort to the bereaved. And silence is also extremely wise when you don't have anything to say but want to be close.
1 person likes this