My wife's cousin died tragically last week, due to a severe allergic reaction to something given to him in the Emergency Room, where he had gone due to severe flu symptoms. 51 years old, married, two young kids, bad deal all around. (Malpractice suit coming? Don't know).
He was laid out for only one day, funeral Mass on Saturday, followed by a luncheon, where many paid their respects, shared anecdotes, etc.
Upon leaving, my wife offered final condolences to the sister of the deceased, and her parting words were classic: "It's good to hear all these people talking about my brother; maybe he wasn't the heartless son of a bitch I thought I knew." (Back story, their mother had had a long, painful decline to eventual death, and the brother offered no help whatsoever in taking care of the mother's needs).
But if you are older and have siblings, you have probably come to learn that the people in your brothers and sisters' lives (co-workers, neighbors, in-laws, drinking buddies, etc.) know them as completely different people from the ones you grew up with.
Just thought I'd share that.
He was laid out for only one day, funeral Mass on Saturday, followed by a luncheon, where many paid their respects, shared anecdotes, etc.
Upon leaving, my wife offered final condolences to the sister of the deceased, and her parting words were classic: "It's good to hear all these people talking about my brother; maybe he wasn't the heartless son of a bitch I thought I knew." (Back story, their mother had had a long, painful decline to eventual death, and the brother offered no help whatsoever in taking care of the mother's needs).
But if you are older and have siblings, you have probably come to learn that the people in your brothers and sisters' lives (co-workers, neighbors, in-laws, drinking buddies, etc.) know them as completely different people from the ones you grew up with.
Just thought I'd share that.