Sunday, February 5, 2023

A BROTHER NEVER LEAVES YOUR HEART-REST IN PEACE CHARLIE

  

TEN YEARS AGO TODAY

my brother, Charlie,

walked into the hospital ER
because he wasn't feeling well.

On February 5th,  2013,
 4:04 pm he left the hospital.
He didn't leave the way we hoped,
nor the way we expected.
He went to a different home
then the one he left that last Tuesday.

He developed a very rare cancer
that affects less than 1% of
cancer patients.  It is fast moving
and there is less than a 1% chance
of survival.

I  struggled trying to figure
out why this has happened.
Then a peaceful thought came to me.
Our little granddaughter,
Anna Bella, 
needed an Uncle
to keep her company.
A great-uncle.
Great in more ways than one.

Wasn't he a cute little boy?
We knew that last morning that his
time to be with us was to be
short-lived.
They put him on a morphine drip
and he gently drifted away
without pain.

What you don't know about
my brother is that he was a 
joker-He loved to make
people laugh.
He was the "smiliest" person
I ever knew and he
dearly loved a good joke.

You know, even in moments of 
blinding pain there are
sparks of laughter,
After we said our good-byes and 
gave him permission to go "home",
we were all sobbing.

I told him: "You are so, so loved here
and Mom & Dad
and our grandparents and 
uncles and cousins and family
are all waiting for you-waiting to
welcome you to Heaven".

My sister-in-law added...
"And Snow White".
What? I asked.
Maybe you read a different
Bible then I do cuz I don't
think Snow White is in Heaven.

Everyone in the room erupted
in laughter.
In the burst of laughter
my brother, Charlie,
took his last breath of
life on this Earth.
We knew then that he 
was free to go because
in spite of our sadness
there was one last smile for him.

Snow White was Charlie's cat
that had passed over 
The Rainbow Bridge.

I'm betting that right now,
up in Heaven,
he is setting our little Anna Bella
up to some mischief
just like  I my father used to 
set him up.

He passed so-so peacefully,
with nary a complaint.
You did good, Charlie,
very, very good.

Now I feel like I have a 
GUARDIAN ANGEL
that watches over me.

As a family, we have moved on,
walking different paths than the ones 
we were on and that is okay.
Happy memories keep us company
on those days when we mourn
our earthly loss.

Take a moment today to 
tell someone you love them.
If there are rifts in your family,
mend them while you have time
for tomorrow is never guaranteed
and there are no "do-overs"
when death comes to visit.

Have a wonderful, blessed day.
I hope YOU have a 
GUARDIAN ANGEL
in your life!

 

your photo name

44 comments:

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Diana, you wrote a lovely tribute to your brother. He sounds like he would have been a great person to be around. A quick, unexpected death is always so hard to deal with and I can't imagine what it was like to find out there was no hope. Our family tends to use humour to get through things as well, we all know it helps break the tension and is always meant in a positive way. -Jenn

Anonymous said...

HeaRt felt tribute of n for your beloved brother. ♥️

Mevely317 said...

Thank you for sharing this sweet and poignant story of Charlie's home-going. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all our last earthly moments included an accompaniment of laughter.

Gotta know, however, how did Snow White enter into the conversation?

Donna said...

I'm sorry for your loss of Brother and little Anna Bella!! Yes, everyone is together over there just waiting for us to join them...how fun that day will be!
Big Hug Friend
Donna

Jettie said...

Beautifully spoken, he knew at that last moment he was free to go.
AnnaBelle and Charlie are at peace together.

Buttercup said...

Your love and affection shines through. My heart is with you and your family.

vivian said...

Such a beautiful piece about your brother and an important message. I love you my friend. 😘

Anonymous said...

Oh my dear Diana- 10 years ago, when we were unknown to each other, we were both spending the last hours with our dear brothers. My brother, Dave, died 23 hours after your brother. Sounds like the world had been blessed by their presence. What a loving tribute you’ve paid to a wonderful man. It gives me comfort also to know they are in good company and eventually we’ll be joining them. ❤️❤️

Pam said...

Memories hurt at first when we first lose someone but later on as time goes by, those memories are something that brings us comfort. Mom has been gone since Jan. 2019 and there are those days those memories come as comfort and I hug them close to my heart.

Sue said...

Oh! Diana, what a wonderful tribute to your brother, the Snow white story is so precious, I'd like to think that once in a while God rolls the curtains back in heaven and let our loved ones see what we are doing, and today, Charlie would have had a big smile.
Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,Sue

nonie everythingsewing said...

Diana, what wonderful tribute to your brother and a heartfelt message to all, to love one another.

Hugs Nonie

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Hugs to you today, Diana.

Terri D said...

This is such a beautiful tribute. Our memories are so important and do warm our hearts. And yes, I do have a few Guardian Angels watching over me. God is so good! xo

Carol said...

This is an amazing tribute to a gentleman that you can tell was loved beyond measure.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I am so very sorry. You have sure experienced your share of loss. I think for some, the fer of death may be more a fear of DYING. So going peacefully in no pain is the best you can get in a situation like this.

Eileen in Fla. said...

Your loving tribute is testament of your caring heart. I hope your pain has diminished with time - I know your memories are a blessing.

Red Rose Alley said...

Thinking of you today, on the passing of your brother, Diana. I love that photo of him when he was a little boy. It totally looks like country living, which I love. Your brother has the nicest and warmest smile. May the memories of him comfort you and bring a smile to your face too. : )

~Sheri

Sandi said...

My condolences, Diana.

"You did good, Charlie,
very, very good"

💙

What a wonderful way to be remembered!

My Tata's Cottage said...

A very beautiful tribute Diana. It is so hard losing those we love. Sending love, prayers and gentle hugs today to you. The heart is heavy with loss when we lose those we love but those memories will always bring us many smiles.

Lowcarb team member said...

Such a lovely tribute to your brother.
God Bless.

All the best Jan

Lynne said...

Caring about you and the losses of your loves,
brother Michael and your Anna Bella.
Beautiful tribute Diana . . .

Cindy said...

What a beautiful tribute to your brother. My most recent guardian angel is my oldest sister Kathy. She passed away unexpectedly on 2/2/22. The first year is usually the hardest.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Dear Diana, I am no longer blogging, but I saw your post on Facebook and wanted to come over and say how sorry I am that you lost your brother ten years ago, so unexpectedly. What a beautiful tribute to him in this post and, yes, the part about Snow White made me smile. I know time doesn't heal all wounds, but sweet memories make them bearable.

Ann said...

What a beautiful tribute to your brother.

MadSnapper said...

I agree that this is a beautiful tribute and also so many beautiful and happy memories is a good thing. Our hearts always hurt no matter how long it has been

Junkchiccottage said...

Beautiful post and tribute to Charlie. I know you loved him so much and he made growing up the best for you. He went to Heaven like he lived his life and that shows what a great soul he had. Anniversary dates are always hard but writing this tribute to him and remembering him is such a gift for both of you. Big hugs sweet friend. I am going to tell you how much I love you today and always. Kris

Rita C at Panoply said...

Gosh, it makes me sad to think of losing a sibling. That had to be hard, even with the smiles among the tears. Happy heavenly tribute to Charlie.

Janie Junebug said...

It's wonderful that your brother knew he was loved.

Love,
Janie

Donna said...

Brothers are very special fellows. Beautiful tribute to a much loved brother. xoxo

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Happy Memories definitely get us through the tough times. Keep the good memories and forget the bad.

jack69 said...

Not everyone gets to know a Charlie. How blessed are the ones who have. This was a wonderful sweet read I do miss my brothers but neither of them was a Charlie, I wish they had been, but I still miss them.
Thanks for this entry, Love it. Y'all were blessed and you know it, that is what is important.
SWEET
Sherry & jack smiling with you...
Thinking of Snow White.... ;-)

Jeanie said...

It just hurts to see someone so young, so full of life and love and giving, taken from us so soon and so suddenly. I've never had a brother but if I did, I would want him to be a Charlie. Biggest hugs to you, my friend. Those anniversaries are hard.

Brenda Pruitt said...

He looks like you. And he went peacefully it sounds like. I wrote about losing my pets today. This was a beautiful and heartfelt tribute that I enjoyed reading. May peace be with you.
Brenda

Henny Penny said...

Diana, such a beautifully written tribute to your brother. He looks like such a kind friendly man. I had two younger brothers and lost them both when they were only 49 years old. One to cancer and the other to a massive heart attack. Brothers are special, there's no doubt about that. Losing your brother so unexpectedly must have been hard on all of you.

Kim said...

Beautiful tribute, Diana. How strange and yet fitting that he left in the middle of everyone laughing. Very sweet memory.

Doris said...

Leaving with loved ones laughing...what a way to go ♥️
No need to tell you to hang tightly to the memories because I'm confident that's exactly what you are doing. Hugs!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Beautifully shared Diana. May your heart be comforted as you reflect on the precious memories made with Charles. We never know what today or tomorrow holds, indeed, good words for all to remember, hug your family close today! Hugs and prayers for you today.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Such a beautiful tribute Diana. Charlie is watching over you. Sometimes life is not fair. You have beautiful memories to soothe your soul. I lost my little sister, Cynthia in 2004. I miss her so much. We were so close. xoxo

Bless said...

Such a lovely tribute to your brother, Diana.
Today (Feb. 7) is my mother's death anniversary. She died at home, seated in her chair.

Katie Isabella said...

Your tribute to your brother was beautifully said and I could feel the family and love all the way here where I am. My dear, when I am able, I will try to post about my son's passing. You have helped me by posting about Charlie. Only I was with my son that day- at the time he passed. Erich went Home peacefully as well. I have yet to come to grips with it but I am sure I will. One day.
XO

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a loving tribute to Charlie, Diana. He passed the same year as my beloved hubby, but several months before. We certainly have angels watching over us. 🙏🏻

Linda said...

Beautiful.....

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

What a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to your dear brother. May he rest in peace.

Debbie Nolan said...

Diana what a beautiful tribute to your dear brother. I am so glad you shared this special guardian angel. Hugs