Nothing Will Ever Be the Same

[Joe Guy]

December 8, 2009.

That morning my brother died. I probably could write a long story that would describe how he was so influential on my life and how much I miss him.

Nothing will ever be the same.

This story is more about my mother than my brother. After my brother died my mother became very depressed. She missed seeing him. She missed his phone calls. He used to call her every day and tell her where he was (he traveled a lot).

In January 2009 he called my mother just to say he was standing on a frozen lake somewhere in Montana.

She told me later how that phone call made her worry. He could have fallen through the ice and got himself killed.

Two months later he called to tell her that he had cancer.

After December 8, 2009 I started calling my mother every day. I started visiting her every week.

I think it helped her a little.

My mother had a great sense of humor.

Early this October she said she wanted me to teach her the chords on the guitar to "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."

She said she wanted to change the lyrics to suit her.

So I showed her the chords.

She never did get around to changing the lyrics.

October 26, 2011.

That morning my mother died. I probably could write a long story that would describe how she was so influential on my life and how much I miss her.

And how nothing will ever be the same.

[Lord Jim]

My deepest condolences, Joe...

I lost my mother some time ago, (it will be 13 years this Dec. 13th...her birthday was also Dec. 13th) and I know the pain and loss that comes....

[loCAtek]

ThX Joe, I sense a song to go with those lyrics...

[dales]

Sorry for your loss, Joe.

My mum died in the summer of 2006, the day after my birthday.

[liberty]

Joe, my brother died last Friday. It gives me a knot in heart when I think about it so I try to control my thoughts and not think about it. But then I saw this thread and thought maybe it was God tell to say something. My brother was actually my half brother which I suspected but was not sure until I was grown and my mother told me the story. He apologized to me for what happened me when we were kids, that happened in the hospital last year a couple months after he was diagnosed with a type lung cancer. I never blamed my brother it wasn’t his fault; he was a kid too.

The situation was complicated by a feud between my sister in law and my niece; my brother’s daughter from a former marriage. My mother got drawn into it because she took the side of her granddaughter. That kept her from seeing him much, we were trying to keep a peaceful atmosphere for him. We where hoping he would over come it and survive…..got to go check on my mother

[The Hen]

I am so sorry Joe and Liberty on your losses.

I wish I could send you both lots of time to get over it.

[Gob]

A beautiful tribute you have written there Joe, thanks for sharing it with us, and condolences on your loss.

My condolences to you too Liberty,

[loCAtek]

To your brother Lib; Vaya con Dios.

I'm glad you two were able to reconcile, and he could go in peace.

[Sean]

My deepest condolences to you both Joe and liberty.

[BoSoxGal]

to all who've lost someone they loved who truly loved them, too.

And

to all who were damaged by those who should have loved them but were incapable.

I have come to that point in my life where I recognize that the only truth in life is that nothing will ever be the same.

It is a painful truth. Treasure the moments that bring you joy; they are all too fleeting.

[Rick]

Sorry Joe...

[liberty]

To your brother Lib; Vaya con Dios.

I'm glad you two were able to reconcile, and he could go in peace.

It was more of a concern to my brother than to me. I had put it behind me years ago. By the time we were grown we had become close. I am not even sure the he knew we where half brothers; the early years were something we just didn’t talk about. It took some time but in the end I even forgave my stepfather. It ended when I was about ten years old when my mother kicked him out of the house. If my grandmother had not come for that visit during summer it may have never happened; strange how things turn out sometimes.

Looking at it from his point of view what he did seems natural; as he saw it how could a Mexican half breed, even if he didn't look Mexican, be the equal to his son.

[loCAtek]

Well, you brought him solace, that's what counts.