Difficult day.

[valis2]

A friend's beloved grandfather is dying in the hospital. I went with him and most of the family was there. They were very welcoming, but still, I felt terrible to intrude on such a private matter.

Seeing anyone cry makes me want to cry, and it was a long, difficult evening. Grief tears everyone up. I just feel so sad, that a good man is leaving. He had a wonderful, very full life, with a great family, and I know that we shouldn't be sad, that we should be happy, but it's really hard. And I can't think of anything to say that is in the least bit comforting.

We were leaving, and he's still very lucid, though he will most likely pass during the night. I had a moment with him, but how do you say anything? I said, "Hi, sweetheart, you were wonderful," but now I think it was a terribly morbid thing to say, because I actually wanted to say more, and now I realize I used the past tense, but I couldn't really finish the sentence because I got overwhelmed.

"The dead know only one thing. It is better to be alive."

Comments

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

Don't feel bad about what you said. I don't think it was morbid and I'm sure he got your intention.

Sometimes life is so much bigger than words. Sometimes being there and trying to share some of the loss and the grief is all you can give. You did help, dear.

*hugs you*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I really was out of my mind for most of last night. I'm not really totally comfortable with another person's family, and I wasn't certain what to say or do, and I just had to keep going forward and hope that I didn't do something stupid.

I think they were appreciative that I was there, and I tried to support my friend. But I'm glad that I left early. They needed their private time much much more.

*hugs back*

[gillieweed.livejournal.com]

Being there to support your friend is very important, maybe the most important. Grandad got to see what a wonderful friend his grandson has. There's nothing "right" to say in this situation, again, just you being there was enough.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

:) Thank you so much. I'm so lucky to have such good friends.

I haven't turned on the chat program yet because I've been so preoccupied with everything else, but I hope to be on tonight, or at the very least tomorrow night.