Kathy, Jim, so glad your back up and about.... again, I don't know what your feeling, as I have not lost one of my own children, yet I have lost my brother and as said prior, my parents have still not come to terms with losing their son 18 years after the fact. Mum has never been the same... lets just say that. All I can imagine is the pain is intense, considering I expect my children to bury me, not the other way around.

Take care please, and so glad to know your all atleast up and about, funtioning, which will atleast stop depression settling in. Hold strong and know I am here for you all if you need.

my heart achs for the painyou must be going thru, I a so, very , very sorry thatyou have lost a son, and friend please never forget how much he loved you thats what has helped me wit hthe death of my dad. MOUSE

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS EVERYONE AFFECTED)))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you once again. Yes we are both up. Life continues, though not with the enthusiasm of before.

Jim.

Evie and family,
Please accept my deepest sympathies. Y'all always have our support here.

Thanks mac, and nice to see you again.

Oh Anthony I am very sorry for your family's loss. Given how I am feeling presently, I can comprehend your Mum never being quite the same. I doubt I will be either. Mother's Day is coming up shortly, and for the first time in 35 years I am dreading it. I believe I will ask the children not to celebrate it on my behalf this year. Thank you for your wishes, yes we are up and about and trying to get on with things, though it is difficult to say the least.

Funny you say that Kathy, as still today mum no longer celebrates Mothers day, as we just had it yesterday and all.... 18 years on, and still impacts. Only a mother could know I believe.

Yes it turned out to be quite a difficult day, and I quite understand the feelings of your mum, I sadly can't imagine it getting any easier in the future.

This thread was kind of vague about what happened to my family. I guess none of us were ready to say much of anything about it. It's been 2 months now though, as of last Saturday, so I thought I'd briefly say what happened, I feel ready I think, in case anyone's still not sure.

My cousin Brian, Jim and Kathy's son, username TinCanCommando on the forum, had recently been diagnosed with PTSD, and he was having trouble dealing with it. He was raging a lot and driving drunk. He got into a very bad car accident and died of his injuries on April 16, 2007. For a while the police were investigating the possibility of his death being a suicide, but that was later ruled out. Needless to say the last couple of months have been very difficult for my family, I was very close to Brian, I felt like I lost a brother. My uncle and aunt lost their firstborn son. We have all felt very guilty about the PTSD part and wished we could have done more to help Brian. The good news is though that we are now all in therapy together, and it has brought us much closer as a family. I only wish Brian was here to share that closeness.

Anyways that is the story, we are all still very sad and I think we will be for a long time, but life goes on and things are improving gradually. Thank you to everyone who has offered their thoughts and condolences here on the forum and in PMs, emails, etc. Your support is appreciated more than you'll ever know.

Jim, sorry I'm late. You know you're in my prayers, buddy!