You know the kind, the ones that make you wish you hadn’t even bothered getting out of bed. I’ve thought about whining here on the blog, but in the end, have decided that it’s pretty pointless. Yes, you’d all be kind and try to cheer me up, but you know what? When I start to list out my problems and the things that have gone wrong? It all sounds pretty darned petty and stupid.
Especially when I contemplate the road trip my husband is on. He and his sister and their parents are on their way to a funeral. (And yes, it is very weird that the 4 of them are stuck in a car together for 6 plus hours today and then again on Thursday for the trip home…I wish I could be a fly on the wall…)
The funeral is for a young man, who was only 34 when he passed away this past Saturday. He was diagnosed with brain cancer 2.5 years ago, and I think it is actually something of a miracle that he had this long. Henrik was a cousin of some sort to my husband (Henrik’s paternal grandmother would have been Mark’s maternal Great-Aunt. I think.) I had only met Henrik several times over the years, he is someone I would have liked to have gotten to know better. He was a very bright young man, he had just earned a master’s degree when he had gotten the diagnoses, and had been planning on pursuing a PHD. I can’t even imagine what the last 2.5 years have really been like for him and his family. He was not married, but he leaves behind parents and a sister and numerous other relations and friends that will miss him a great deal.
Parents aren’t supposed to outlive their children, and I surely hope I don’t outlive mine. I don’t think I could bear it.
So, I’m going to quit worrying about the petty crap that I’ve been whining about and get to work on doing the things that I want to do with my life.
Go hug someone you love and then do the same, OK?
Suzanne
Suzanne,
You can whine if you want. We’re here for ya! We all have days we can’t think of anything good, and I have to admit I’ve had a few lately myself. Don’t beat yourself up.
I’m sorry to hear about Henrik. That is so sad, but Heaven has another wonderful person, and now he is no longer suffering.
Have some chocolate. It always cheers me up!
Hugs,
Michelle
Sorry to hear about your husband’s cousin Henrik. Death is always hard…but so much more when it is a young one.
Hope your coming days are better…we all have those whiney days…no apology needed! We all have them, and we all should support each other.
My uncle was 80 or 81 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He only suffered with it a few months. He too was a brilliant man. When my aunt was lamenting, “how could this have happened?”, he asnwered from his hospital bed, “too much thinking”. Fortunately he was able to maintain his sense of humor to the end. I pray for peace for Henrik’s family.
Well, darn, Suzanne, I’m having one of those weeks too, so I know how you feel. And then something happens like poor Henrik’s situation and you don’t know whether to feel better since all your problems seem so small, or feel worse since all your problems are so small and you made them seem so big! LOL
It is so sad about Henrik. I can’t imagine how hard it is for his family.
Susan, how strange for me to read this post today and realize that I know the young man you are referring to. He was quite young when I first met him and we attended the same church. I was so sad to read of his passing in our local paper earlier this week. He was a remarkable person. I wish your husband, sister and parents safe travel.
When we get horrible news, it does put things into perspective. But. It doesn’t mean that the occasional irritations of life aren’t legitimately annoying. Yeah, a stubbed toe or a stopped-up drain or getting a letter from the IRS aren’t as bad as a brain tumor, but sometimes things can add up and feel pretty overwhelming.
Here’s a hug: ((((( )))))
Huggs to you and yours! Give Mark an extra one!
I’m so sorry, my friend. I wish I were close enough to give you a hug. Please give Mark my condolences, too.