My Best Friend's Brother Died

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Bear with me because it takes awhile to set up. My mom passed away on September 28th of last year. I had taken care of her the last twelve years of my life from the time she was seventy eight years old. We had some close friends, Nate and Mary, who are African American. When my mom passed away Mary said was my mom was like a grandmother to her. I said that makes you my mom. They always introduce me as their "white" son and whenever I meet a member of their family I am introduced as a brother, cousin, uncle, et cetera. They are really close to me; so close that my girlfriend and I traveled from Orlando to Fayetteville to spend Christmas with them and their family. Nate was career Army and has Bronze Stars from Korea and Viet Nam. He also has a commendation from the Southern Poverty Law Center for his contributions to the "Teaching Tolerance" program. We do lot of things together. We go to basketball games and we went to a predominately African American church which was one of the most spiritually moving moments of my life. I told my buddy ,Nate, I could really feel the presence of the Holy Ghost.

Nate had a brother, George, who was sick in the hospital in Jacksonville and we went to see him twice; the first time I drove and the second time Nate drove. The other day I had to clean out my mom's closet because my girlfriend was moving to my home from Los Angeles. We had twenty bags of clothes. I asked Nate if he wanted to go with me to the Salvation Army Store to drop them off. I had a lot on my mid which I wanted to share with Nate because I value his wisdom and experience. When we were in the car I told him I had "funny stuff" and "serious stuff" to share with him and asked him which he wanted to hear first. Nate said the "funny stuff". We made a couple of stops and must have spent about an hour and half together. When we were almost done after hearing me go on and on about what I thought was "funny" he said "I have some bad news" I said "what". He said my "brother died". I just started crying. We had just seen him Saturday. George has a son and a daughter. His son is sixteen years old .We met him on the way back. Nate introduced me as his cousin and told him to listen to me as I am "wise".

I guess I will be making the trip up to Jacksonville again. I was just about to ask Nate when we were going to visit his brother again.

Just sad...


P.S. I should add George's wife died a couple of months ago. That means all Little George just has a step mom to look after him.
Nate just called me. We're driving up to Jacksonville from Orlando to help get the arrangements started.

[hedgehog]

1. Your story, and the fact that you posted it here, reminds me of John Donne.

Thank you.

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

[asjr]

5. I used to have that memorized. Thank you

for writing it here. Sometimes we forget and John Donne is so right for this day

[Hello_Kitty]

2. Sorry to hear that. You are a good friend to Nate. eom

[renate]

3. Nate sounds like such a sweet and unselfish person

I'm sorry about his and his family's loss, and yours. Those poor kids. I'm glad they have people like you and Nate and Mary in their lives.

:cry:

[FourScore]

4. This is a beautiful and sad post.

You all have been truly blessed to have one another. I am sorry for your (and Nate's) loss, DemocratSinceBirth.:hug:

[applegrove]

6. Sorry for your loss.

[Ocracoker16]

7. Sorry to hear that and I hope you have a safe trip

Nate definitely thinks highly of you for obvious reasons. You have both been good friends to each other.

[Fumesucker]

8. My sympathies and condolences on your and your family's loss..

:grouphug: