I’ll be taking a short break from this blog.
I last wrote here about my beloved brother, PJ, who lived with Down’s Syndrome and more recently developed Alzheimers.
I haven’t blogged about it, but PJ has been ill in hospital for a few weeks, suffering from a recurrent severe chest infection. He had appeared to be on the mend, but yesterday afternoon there was a sudden and serious deterioration in his condition. I went to him and found him almost unconscious, breathing through an oxygen feed.
I sat with him, holding his hand, as his breathing became more shallow and irregular, and he slipped away from me just past 11.00 p.m. It was a very peaceful, quiet end, and it felt so right to be with him.
I know all of you from this wonderful blogging community will hold me in your thoughts and prayers over the next few days as I go about the practicalities of the arrangements and the emotions of the grief, and I thank you for it.
Back soon.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I know all of you from this wonderful blogging community will hold me in your thoughts and prayers over the next few days as I go about the practicalities of the arrangements and the emotions of the grief, and I thank you for it.
_________________
Of course, Tess. I’m sorry
I’m glad you got to be with him as he slipped away 
Tess, I’ll be thinking of you and sending prayers your way. What a privilege and honour to have been there for him when he transitioned, to have held his hand on this side until he was held firmly on the other.
((hugs))
God bless. I’ll be praying for you as you grieve.
“when you lose someone you love,
your life becomes strange,
the ground beneath you gets fragile,
your thoughts make your eyes unsure…”
(by john o’donohue)
sharing these words with you this morning…and please do remember that we will be there with you through the practicalities AND the emotions of the grief. you are much loved, dear one, just as PJ was and is.
xoxoxoxoxoox
My Dear Tess, what a Blessing for you both that you were there with your beloved brother PJ whilst he slipped away. This will be such a comfort to you in the future. Thinking of you with much Love and sending many Blessings to you and all the family. Betty
Dear Tess
Just to send you loving, healing thoughts at this time.
Love
Pat
p/s Forgive me if I have sent this message twice.
There is nothing I could add to these beautiful statements of support. I second them all and please know that you and PJ are in my prayers.
So sudden. You have my sympathy and my prayers.
Yes, I will keep you in my heart and prayers.
Tess, you are in my prayers tonight. God bless you.
Dear Tess, My prayers for you in your sorrow, and with thanksgiving for the life of your beloved brother. I am confident he rests in peace. May you find God’s peace in your mourning.
xoxoxo
May love surround you giving you a place to gather grace and courage.
I pray peace for your family and joy for your brother. May his soul rest in the heart of God.
Dearest Tess,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved brother. I am holding a good thought for you and your family today.
Dearest Tess: I am sorry to hear of your loss. I am sure it was a tremendous comfort to him knowing you were there. I will be holding you and your family in my prayers,
Blessings,
Rebecca
I am so sorry for your loss, but hope you can take comfort in the wonderful life that PJ had.
I lost my son Daniel 18 years ago, he also had Down’s Syndrome and three heart defects and a bowel defect. We only shared 14 weeks before he died, but through him I have had the honour to know many people with Down’s and I value his short life greatly.
Thank you all so much for your kind and lovely comments, here and by email. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate them. Perhaps especially I thank those who haven’t commented here before, but have taken the trouble to do so this time. And Penny, thank you for sharing the story of your son Daniel.
It’s been a strange couple of days, registering the death, starting to make the funeral arrangements. Family and friends have rallied round and the practicalities are beginning to come together.
I have in my mind many images from the last few days which I will try to write more about soon. Uppermost in my mind just now is the beauty of PJ’s heavy-lidded blue-grey eyes, which on his last evening lost the frequent look of bewilderment which has haunted me for years.
I’m glad you could be there with your brother. It’s a privilege to be able to do so. May God bless you over the weeks ahead with a peaceful heart.
So sorry, my friend. Prayers for you.