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Post by Erica on Aug 12, 2014 20:36:06 GMT
I just hairflipped big time on facebook. I am ashamed of myself, but being told I needed to cure myself was the last straw.
My brother was killed in Afghanistan 10 years ago today. The pilot was given direct orders which he disobeyed and because of that my brother was killed. My brother was the onky fatality on board. The pilot was tried and convicted, but not convicted of my brother's death. The pilot was busted down a grade, got to keep his benefits and retirement. And he was never to fly again.
How the pilot's life is now I don't really give a shit. I thought of finding him so I can ruin his life, but I haven't and I really don't think I will.
I miss my brother every single day. 2 days ago would have been his 40th birthday. He always made a big deal about his birthday. And we woukd have indulged him as we always did. He was the youngest out of 4. I am the oldest. Daniel and I were the closet.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 20:40:34 GMT
I'm sorry for your loss. Have you had any counselling to help with this? If not then I urge you to do so. I lost my brother many years ago, he's been gone longer than he was alive and that's a hard thing to think about. Hugs to you.
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Post by christine58 on Aug 12, 2014 20:41:05 GMT
So very sorry for your loss. A very dear friend's son died in Afghanistan---he was a green beret medic and one of the very first causalities. His plane also crashed and I think he was the only one who died..honestly cannot remember. Anyhow I digress----You have a right to be angry. There is NO TIMETABLE for grief however, have you talked to a therapist at all about your grief?
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marianne
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Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
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Post by marianne on Aug 12, 2014 20:46:17 GMT
I'm so, so sorry for your loss. Such a tragic manner of death. I don't think we ever get over the death of a loved one, we just get used to them being gone. It only gets easier in that we continue with our lives and other things take our mind off of the one we lost, if only for a while. Nothing will ever fill the void they leave, but we do have to go on. We all deal with grief differently, so take as long as you need to deal with yours; also know that your brother would not want you to be suffering forever - I'm sure he would want you to be happy, with a special place in your heart for him that you visit periodically.
Do take gentle care of yourself.
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Post by kmk1112 on Aug 12, 2014 20:47:26 GMT
I lost my 16 year old brother very suddenly in 1991, and it has gotten easier, I still miss him and think about him often, and wonder what his life would have been like. I'll echo what the other posters above me have said and wonder if you've had counseling, it seems like you have a lot of anger left, and you'll not feel any better until you can get past that. It's only hurting you, not the pilot. Even if you did hurt the pilot somehow, would it really make you feel better, or would the loss still be there and cause you pain.
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sharlag
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Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Aug 12, 2014 20:49:32 GMT
Hmmm... I don't blame you for being pissed. I lost my brother 5 years ago, and am pissed as well.
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Post by disneypal on Aug 12, 2014 20:49:32 GMT
Oh EricaI am so sorry. After 10 years, I am sure you know that the answer is "no, it doesn't get easier." I wish I could say it does. Time doesn't heal the loss of losing a loved one - time does make it easier for us to learn to live our lives without them but it doesn't get easier. It has to be especially hard with hitting milestones this year (his 40th birthday, the 10th anniversary of his passing). I cannot believe someone would tell you to "cure yourself" - how rude and insensitive. We all grieve in different ways and different lengths of time. Your brother sounds like a wonderful person. I'm sorry that you are missing him so much.
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Post by mztfied on Aug 12, 2014 20:51:09 GMT
This is a difficult subject. I did not want to just read and run.
Losing a sibling is not easy. The circumstances you describe are so sad. You have a right to your anger. If your beloved brother's death is causing you such distress daily then you might want to consider counseling. Easy? Not at all. But hopefully it may help. I hope you find some kind of relief for your grief. Take care of yourself.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 20:54:28 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm going to say this gently. That type of anger and hatred is not good hon. It only festers and invades your life. I really would suggest counseling. Don't let it eat at you more than it already has. Hugs.
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Post by marmargirl on Aug 12, 2014 20:54:43 GMT
I lost my brother almost nine years ago when he was 32, due to a car accident. Not only did I lose my brother, I lost one of my best friends. He and I were two years apart and had a lot in common, same friends, etc. For me, the feeling of loss hasn't gotten easier but moving forward with my life has.
I miss him every day, and I know I always will, but his memory lives on in all the little things that remind me of him.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
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lesley
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Post by lesley on Aug 12, 2014 20:56:14 GMT
In some ways I think it gets easier, in that a new normal is established, as it is with any bereavement. My brother died of cancer in 1991 when he was 39. Despite an 11-year gap between us, we were very close. I do still miss him, and feel sad that his widow decided to cut off all ties with us especially as we live in the same town. I see his daughter sometimes. She is severely disabled and does not know me, but she looks so like my brother it cuts me every time. My other brother has motor neuron disease (ALS) and does not have long to live. We became very close after our brother died, but that has changed in the last few years, and we are basically estranged. It is unlikely I will see him before he dies, but in some ways he died for me three years ago. I miss my family, I miss how we used to be. However, I know that I have to make the most of my life, because I am fortunate to be well (apart from RA) and I know that life is short. I know this approach doesn't work for everyone, but it's how I try to live my life.
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Post by omarakbt on Aug 12, 2014 20:57:52 GMT
Yes and no. My brother has been gone 22 years. But the circumstances are different, my brother had a kidney transplant, first one when he was 16 which failed within a month. He had the second transplant at 30, passed at 35 from related issues. We had my brother 20 years longer than we would have without medical intervention, he was in the hospital ICU when he passed so we know that all that could have been done was done. No one was to blame. We just rejoice in the fact that we had him as long as we did, that he got to experience the love of a good woman, be a dad to her two children, buy a house ( which his wife/widow) still lives in with her husband. The children he helped raise are now married with children. He helped them become the people they are today, the parents they are now. Loosing a sibling is different than loosing a spouse or a parent. Initially all the focus is on the spouse, the parents and if there are children, the children, and the sibling(s) suppress their grief supporting the focus, the spouse, parents, children. Sometimes they never get to deal with the loss. Some how their grief is viewed as less. It's not less, it's different. So you need people that are specifically there for you. It does take time to move forward, to find the wonders they brought into your life. To view all that they had in their lives. At my brother's funeral we found he had taken up sky diving ( this was a post kidney transplant patient), rock climbing with a friend. We found he had impacted so many lives. He had the love of a good woman who was happy just walking through the mall with him and drinking a cup of coffee. She went into the marriage knowing that his life could be cut short, that he had ongoing medical issues. And after he passed she said that even if she had know the would only have 5 years she would do it all again. One of my nieces sons carries his name. So I try to see the wonders he had in his life, the joy he brought to others, the impact he had. And yes I miss him, I miss my dad.
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Post by librarylady on Aug 12, 2014 21:06:47 GMT
Eventually the wound grows a scab, but no, missing him will go forever. .....You will bear the pain a little better, but the scar/pain remains.
My sister chose to end her life with suicide many years ago, but all the talk of Robin Williams leaves me with wet eyes and feeling empathy for the awful awful days ahead for his loved ones.....
Hug to you.........
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Post by moveablefeast on Aug 12, 2014 21:09:22 GMT
Mine has been gone 15 years this year.
It got easier in some ways and in other ways it didn't. So many things we all missed out on because he was gone. But it softened with time - I think about him every day but I no longer mourn. It is different after these years.
I cannot change what happened to us as a family. I can only move forward now.
I'm so sorry you are hurting today.
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luvnlifelady
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Post by luvnlifelady on Aug 12, 2014 21:18:19 GMT
I'm sorry for your loss. I've been estranged from one of my brothers for nearly 9 years. While it was me that discontinued communication over something he did to me (bad), I still mourn having him in my life. He was a really fun uncle to the kids.
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MaryC
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Post by MaryC on Aug 12, 2014 21:21:12 GMT
I think it would be harder to come to terms with a death that might have been preventable. I've lost two brothers to cancer - while I miss them both terribly, we knew their deaths were coming and had time to talk about it and prepare a little emotionally. In some ways it's harder now because their children are older and having children of their own, and I feel sad that they missed out on being grandparents. Both of them loved kids and would have been fabulous grandpas.
There's an ache that never completely heals, and I still catch myself thinking about buying presents and cards on their birthdays.
I hope you are able to find comfort in your memories of your brother.
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Mary Kay Lady
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Post by Mary Kay Lady on Aug 12, 2014 21:22:17 GMT
To answer your question, I don't know. I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. I'm sorry that you're hurting. It sounds like your brother was an amazing man. Live your life in such a way that would make him proud. He's watching over you.
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Post by scrappinmom3 on Aug 12, 2014 21:53:41 GMT
A big "screw you" to the person who said that you should cure yourself! I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs today and ten years from now!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 22:08:36 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm going to say this gently. That type of anger and hatred is not good hon. It only festers and invades your life. I really would suggest counseling. Don't let it eat at you more than it already has. Hugs. ^^^^
I could not have said that any better. I lost my brother almost nine years ago, and I still miss him every day. I'm so, so sorry for your loss.
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Trixie Bender
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Post by Trixie Bender on Aug 12, 2014 23:10:59 GMT
I'm so, so sorry for your loss. Such a tragic manner of death. I don't think we ever get over the death of a loved one, we just get used to them being gone. It only gets easier in that we continue with our lives and other things take our mind off of the one we lost, if only for a while. Nothing will ever fill the void they leave, but we do have to go on. We all deal with grief differently, so take as long as you need to deal with yours; also know that your brother would not want you to be suffering forever - I'm sure he would want you to be happy, with a special place in your heart for him that you visit periodically. Do take gentle care of yourself. Marianne said it much more eloquently than I ever could have.
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kelkel
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Post by kelkel on Aug 12, 2014 23:27:56 GMT
I'm so very sorry for your loss. I lost my brother 8 years ago. The pain never goes away but I can tell you from experience, you need to let go of the anger....it will consume you, and change you into someone you don't want to be. I KNOW it's not easy, my brother was murdered and I swear to you, I wanted nothing more than to beat the living shit out of the person who did it...and then kill him! But, what would that have solved? Nothing I do will ever bring my brother back. I miss him like crazy but I know that he would want me to have a happy life and not be consumed with anger over his death. I'm not going to lie, it's a struggle...and even typing this has brought up anger...but I'll be damned if I'm going to let THAT person have ANY control over MY life or my mental and physical health.
Please know that what I've said is not meant to be mean in any way, shape or form. I know what you're struggling with and it sucks. The turning point for me was deciding that my brother would want me to be happy and I have chosen to live my life in a way that would make him proud.
(((HUGS)))
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Post by red88 on Aug 12, 2014 23:37:02 GMT
I lost my brother almost 2 years ago. It's not any easier. I miss him terribly. I'm so sorry for you loss & I understand what you are going through. I wish it would get easier, but I just don't see it happening. I'm trying to live my life that he would be proud of. But it's hard. Keep going.
(((HUGS)))
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inkedup
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Post by inkedup on Aug 12, 2014 23:52:45 GMT
I am so sorry for the loss of your brother, and so grateful for his service. I can feel how angry and heartbroken you are.
In your shoes, I would seek counseling and also try to find a support group. Your family suffered an enormous loss; it's natural that you would need a great deal of help to process and absorb it. I don't think you will ever get over the death of your brother (how could you?), but I do believe that you can find a way to process your grief.
I wish you healing and am sending huge hugs to you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
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Post by polz on Aug 12, 2014 23:59:29 GMT
My brother was killed in a workplace accident (BTW, I hate this word. It's not an accident that the crane he was strapped to stories up in the sky collapsed under him and made him fall to his death) in 2011. I miss him everyday. His court case was suppose to start on July 28th but has been delayed until the end of September. I am so mad that people have got away with killing my brother. I need this to go to court and I need justice for my brother. He did exist and it is someone's fault that he is dead.
I feel you OP.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 0:00:08 GMT
I am the drama queen here and when my sister died I went nuts. Such sadness, tears, anger, denial, and then 6 months later acceptance. Somehow you have to work through your grief and anger. It is totally justified. I get that. You are entitled to feel that anger, hurt, frustration, wanting revenge etc. But the healing has to come within you. Ask your doctor to refer you to someone. It can be a social worker, psychiatric nurse, a psychologist, psychiatrist etc. Just talk to your doctor to get the process rolling. To be hurting that much inside is so sad to see. Please know you are in my prayers and I will make duah (supplication) and hopefully that will help. Hugs, elannah
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Post by bluepoprocks on Aug 13, 2014 1:48:21 GMT
I lost my brother 26 years ago. He was 17. I miss him a lot. It is the worst when I think of all the things he could have been and all the things he could have done. I think the pain doesn't go away it just changes.
I agree that you should find a therapist. The anger you are holding onto while understandable is bad for you. Your brother would want you to be happy and wouldn't want you to dwell on things you can't change.
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Mystie
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Post by Mystie on Aug 13, 2014 1:56:15 GMT
Horrible enough to lose a brother but to know that someone else is responsible for his death--that is a huge burden to be carrying. I am so sorry. I don't know how one comes to terms with such a loss, or if one ever does, but I pray you can find some peace and comfort.
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maurchclt
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Post by maurchclt on Aug 13, 2014 2:44:38 GMT
Hugs, I am so sorry for your loss and the pain you are feeling.So much good advise was already given here, I really have nothing to add.
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scrapaddie
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Post by scrapaddie on Aug 13, 2014 3:09:11 GMT
I hope there comes a time when the memories bring more joy than pain. I have lost two brothers,y mother, and just recently my father. While I am still in mostly pain stage for my dad, I am in mostly good memories that make me smile stage for the others .... That doesn't mean I never ache for them .... Just that I can usually smile when I think of them... Hopefully you will reach that point
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