Sunday, January 07, 2007

Enough

I've had enough of death to last me a lifetime. This wasn't what I had planned on posting today, but sometimes things happen. My beloved Uncle Bill, the man who was like a father to me, passed away Saturday evening. My heart, still unhealed from the loss of my mother, is broken again. In some ways, I loved this man more than my own father. He was a hero. Just rent the movie The Great Raid and you'll see what he did. He was one of the Rangers in WWII who liberated the Bataan Death March prisoners (The famed Ghost Soldiers) from the Japanese concentration camp Cabanatuan in the Philippines. It stands to this day as the greatest military rescue in history. It's beginning to feel as if death has decided to camp at my door - Mom in October, another uncle in December, and now this. He was 88 years old. I'm glad I went to his 60th wedding anniversary party - I would have regretted it if I hadn't.

27 comments:

Dru said...

{{{{{Bailey}}}} I'm sorry to hear about your loss. May he rest in peace. Always remember the good times that you had with your uncle, they will help you through this trying time.

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, dammit, dammit, dammit.
Sometimes it seems like bad news just gets on a roll, and you can't get from under...

I'm glad you went to the party too. And 88 is a long-lived life.
Little comfort, I know.

{{{{Bailey}}}}. I'm so sorry, hon.

Brandy said...

Bailey, awww sweetheart. I am so very sorry. I know it seems like too much, but I've hope that you are strong enought to handle all this. Age is a wonderful thing, to teach us about history and the simple things in life. But, it has a huge down-side that, in the end, time is also our enemy. You were blessed to have him in your family for so long, and blessed to have seen him so recently. Hold his memeories close. He's still in your heart.
Again, I ma so sorry. I'm sending hugs and prayers to you.

Anonymous said...

(((((((((Bailey))))))))) My heart goes out to you, it really does. I am so, so sorry that you've had such a burden to bear of late. If it's of any consolation at all, Your Uncle Bill hung on until a damn fine age, and he had the adventures of a life to go with those years. May your hero rest in peace.

I have a special fondness for the heroes of that time since my own family was incarcerated in Japanese camps during the same period in Indonesia.

L
X

Denise McDonald said...

(((HUGS))) hon - I am so very sorry!

Melissa McClone said...

Hugs, Bailey. I'm so sorry about your uncle. You and he will be in my prayers.

Bernita said...

Grief is often selfish.
But. I know how you feel.
Sometimes it's not love to keep them here.
Let your hero rest, Dear Girl. He's earned it.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, kind, generous, funny man who welcomed me to this family without question, without reservation. I loved him like my own Grandpa.

He will be sorely missed...

Anonymous said...

{{{{{Bailey}}}} My heart breaks for you. I'm so sorry about loss of your dear Uncle Bill. He was a true hero. Remember he will always live on in your heart and memories. I know it isn't much condolence but at least he didn't suffer long and he was able to enjoy seeing family and friends at his 60th wedding anniversary party.

Men of his generation don't want you to shed tears for them, they want you to remember the happy times spent with them while raising a drink to them.

Anonymous said...

So sorry, Bailey.

He is blessed to be so well remembered.

Anonymous said...

Sending hugs and love.

Anonymous said...

*hugs* sweetie. I'm so very sorry. He sounds like a very interesting man.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. You've had your fill of death for sure...you know they say it comes in 3s. Your uncle sounded like a wonderful man AND a true hero. (sorry about your sister moving closer too)

Anonymous said...

Hugs, Bailey...I'm so sorry for your loss(es). What a wonderful legacy he left for you and the family.

catslady said...

Everyone has said it all so elequently. Just know that we are all here as best we can be for you. {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

Saskia Walker said...

Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry to hear this news. It's so hard to be strong when the difficult times all come at once. I'm sending hugs your way and thinking of you.

Daisy Dexter Dobbs said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Big hugs, Bailey.

Joely Sue Burkhart said...

Sobs. Oh, Bailey, I'm so very, very sorry. My heart bleeds for you.

Toni Anderson said...

God bless your uncle Bill.

Be strong Bailey--like your brave uncle and mom. You've strong genes and a good heart. Be nice to yourself.

Lis said...

*hugs* So sorry to hear about your uncle

Denise McDonald said...

(((HUGS))) Bebo

Kelly Boyce said...

I got chills reading about your uncle's heroics. That is something else. What an impact he made in the lives of many by being a part of that. I'm sorry for your loss, but the world is a richer place for his having been here.

Melissa Amateis said...

Oh Bailey, I'm so, so sorry. My prayers will be with you.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about your loss. Your uncle sounds like a wonderful man. I hope the memories of him help you through this awful time.
Sending love and hugs.

Carol M said...

I'm so sorry Bailey and Bebo! You have been through so much! He sounds like a wonderful man and you have so many good memories! Big hugs!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, sweetie, my heart is bleeding for you. I can't imagine how you are able to cope with all this--your sister's expectations and demands and now your beloved Uncle Bill's passing. But I know that sometimes we get one blow after another and you, my friend, have had enough to last the rest of your life. And may it help to remember that he took part in a great moment in history, that his name is amongst those who accomplished this astonishing feat.

I feel that the last 16 months of my life were one long agony but at least it did not include the death of anybody--just little deaths of hope and self.

I know you must wonder why this is happening to you. But there is no answer. And still we have to keep on hoping because hope and love are the only things that must never die.

I really don't know what to say. All I can do is send you lots of hugs, keep you in my heart and pray for you to get through all that life is throwing at you.

BTW, Saturday would have been my father's 89th birthday. They were very close in age. Perhaps they will now meet. Who knows?

anne frasier said...

so sorry to hear about this new loss, bailey. your uncle bill lived an amazing life.