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Bereavement

Find bereavement help and support from other Mumsnetters. See also your choices after baby loss.

For Jonny, and all our darling departed sisters and brothers..."their diminished size is in us, not in them".

998 replies

evansmummy · 05/11/2008 16:44

I have remarked over the last few months that there are a number of us on this forum who are living through the death of our brothers and sisters. I would even go so far as to say I never even imagined there could be so many!

I have also noticed that the thread for bereaved mummies is the most amazing place of support, a great place to go and say how you feel without being judged, and knowing that others are going through something similar. And of course a place to go and get a good old MN hug.

So I wondered if those of you who have lost siblings would like to join me in making a place where we can say how we are feeling and to be here for each other, and even to gripe and moan! If you are interested, just let us know a bit about your sibling and a bit about your grief journey if you like. I'll start!

My youngest brother Jonny died a little over five months ago as a result of head injuries sustained during a hit and run accident. My family spent a week in intensive care with him in a coma before he died of heart failure on Fri 30th May 2008. Horrible, just horrible.

I feel down most of the time. But will admit to the strangest mood swings, from very depressed to almost hyper-excited. I still drink and smoke a lot, but less than right at the beginning. Suffice to say that things are not getting easier or better. Maybe even the opposite. I'm dreading Christmas, Jonny's birthday, and then the inquest and court case. I hate it all so much and wish often that it would just all go away. I still can't believe I'm writing this tuff about my own brother.

It's hard to quickly put into a short paragraph the pain and turmoil of the last five months. But I'm sure if this thread works out we'll have plenty of time to go into more detail.

Over to you...

Love Me xx

OP posts:
MissM · 21/04/2010 09:08

Oh EM, now I'm all teary again. Cyteen, this sounds weird, but it somehow helps to hear you are going to the GP, because yesterday I felt so terrible that I really did think there was something seriously wrong. But I know it's all related to grieving when I hear that others are going through it too. I hope your doctor can help.

Just a suggestion, and no-one has to take me up on it, but I notice that on the bereaved mums thread they note the dates of everyone's losses. I wondered if it might help on here - Cyteen is coming up to three years, EM to two, shelley to six months, others to other anniversaries, or birthdays or whatever. If people are happy shall we do the same? Then is someone doesn't feel like talking because it is the anniversary of a death others might post and say they're thinking of them and it might help if that person happens to stop by.

Just say if you'd like to (anyone) - no pressure - and I'll start to compile a list.

shelleylou · 21/04/2010 11:07

Its really lovely how the bereaved mums do it. They have each birthday and remember day and the name and light candles on the days.. My db is on it too. I have no problem with doing it. Would be nice so we can all see where each of us may need a bit of extra support.

caffeineaddict · 21/04/2010 11:09

Great idea. Bloody crying again. Love to all x

evansmummy · 21/04/2010 13:36

Good idea MissM. I knew I love you for a reason.

Do you want us to post them here now? Save you having to go through the whole thread?

OP posts:
caffeineaddict · 21/04/2010 16:00

Going to take a break from grief and enjoy the love between EM and MissM. As that sage Donny Osmond sang in 1978ish, 'Love me for a reason. Let the reason be love'

MissM · 21/04/2010 16:50

Yes, if you're happy then post them and I'll collate them all in one post.

Ah, I love you too EM, I really do. And Cyteen too. Don't feel that I know the rest of you well enough yet, but care about you all very much! Hope the love spreads itself around a little and eases some of the pain - I was just out thinking how much this thread helps do just that.

evansmummy · 21/04/2010 21:14

MissM, I feel that way too. I don't know where I'd be without this thread. I hope others get the same kind of strange comfort from being able to post as and when needed, in all states.

Jonathan (Jonny) birthday 6th March. Died 30th May 2008.

That's made me feel sad again.

caffeine, thanks for the song, it's totally stuck in my head now.

OP posts:
MissM · 21/04/2010 22:13

I've been singing it ever since I read your message caffeine!

So, my brother Jim, birthday 9th March, died October 17th 2008. Those are very hard words to write aren't they.

shelleylou · 22/04/2010 00:24

Matt born 28th June 1987 killed October 19th 2009.

cyteen · 22/04/2010 10:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

caffeineaddict · 22/04/2010 12:48

Just can't write the words. Now snivelling in work. May try singing 'Love me for a Reason' in the loo and then I'll have second attempt this eve.

jennymac · 22/04/2010 13:17

Just looking at this thread today for the first time. My sister Ursula died 8 years ago today from CF. She was just 23 and we were best friends as well as sisters. The anniversary is hitting me very hard this year for some reason. I'm lucky in that I have lots of brothers and another sister and we are very close but I think that no matter how close you are to other people, the grief you feel is yours alone iyswim.

MissM · 22/04/2010 21:04

Hello Jenny. As I say to everyone here, I wish you weren't here but I'm glad you found us. I'm so sorry to hear about Ursula, that someone else has had to go through this agony. If you have time, read through the whole thread. You'll find so many wonderful people who really do understand what losing a sibling means. The grief is your own, it's true. I guess that's the thing that I've found hardest in a way, that you are truly on your own with this one.

Thanks for the dates guys - I appreciate your bravery. Caffeine, don't worry if you can't, it's not obligatory and you have to feel able to do it.

caffeineaddict · 23/04/2010 08:19

My sister Jenny. birthday 15th Jan. Died 14th October 2007

evansmummy · 23/04/2010 14:05

Every time one of you posts their siblings dates, I cry. I'm so sorry for all of you.

Well done for your bravery, caffeine.

jennymac, thanks for your post too. And you are right, we've said on here many times before, grief is so lonely, no matter how close our families, friends and even MN bereavement buddies are. I hope you can find some comfort from knowing we know some of how you feel, iykwim. Do your 8 years seem long? Do you talk about your sister a lot? I'm not prying, I just like to try and get to know some of your details, helps to know what to post in the future. No pressure though if you don't want to.

OP posts:
MissM · 24/04/2010 08:21

I cry too EM, especially as there are so many dates in common, or close to each other. My brother and EM's birthdays in March, three of our siblings died in October...

I'm reading an incredible book at the moment, The Secret Scripture. The bit I'm on is all about the main character's grief for her father, and she describes grief so well, the endlessness and deepness and inexplicableness of it. At one point she just writes 'Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh' and I could feel that pain so clearly. Oh dear, now I'm crying again!

Sunday is the third anniversary of cyteen's brother dying. Cyteen - am on my own this weekend so might not have a chance to check in until late, but I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and wishing you lots of love.

evansmummy · 25/04/2010 09:02

Thinking of you and your family today, cyteen, and of course of your brother Simon.

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shelleylou · 25/04/2010 09:53

Thinking of you here too Cyteen. Will light a candle for Simon shortly

cyteen · 25/04/2010 10:01

Thank you all It's actually tomorrow, but good wishes are always welcome - the day before he died wasn't exactly a jolly one either!

shelleylou · 25/04/2010 10:16

well i shall light a candle and be thinking of you tomorrow aswell. Hope your ok

caffeineaddict · 25/04/2010 15:50

Cyteen, just wanted to know that you will be in my thoughts tomorrow. Hope you get through it as best as you possibly can. x

evansmummy · 25/04/2010 17:43

Sorry cyteen, same goes for tomorrow from me too xx

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shelleylou · 26/04/2010 08:53

Thinking of you toay cyteen

MissM · 26/04/2010 09:10

Sorry to get the date wrong - I'm always a day ahead or behind myself. Thinking of you today. xx

PrincessFiorimonde · 27/04/2010 11:33

Cyteen, only caught up with this thread this morning.
Hope yesterday was not too dreadful for you.
My heart out for everyone here.