My darling sister, Greek Islander, lost her brave battle this week. I am numb and very sad tonight. All the family members who have filled my house until this afternoon have left for their respective homes and now I can hear a pin drop, alone with my thoughts and grief. Today is the first day of my life after yesterday's closure with the most beautiful Humanist celebration of her life and funeral eulogy. She is gone and I am lost but it will get better provided I do as she would wish and take care of myself. Old wounds are raw today as well so I need to get on with things now and catch up with the real world where Christmas is under way and I am way behind. Will I be in the mood for Christmas? I don't know but for the sake of my grandchildren I will do my utmost and hopefully time will do what time does, eventually.

RIP sweet sis, I will always love you.

Briggy

No words but please know you and yours are in my thoughts. You were a great sister.

I send you a hug

((((BIG HUG))))

It was very exciting to me when the Greek Islanders came to RfM for the first time. I will never forget that.

You and your sister are clearly lucky to have each other in your hearts.

I also found many years ago that going through the motions of a happy Christmas could eventually build enough happy memories of the season to outweigh the sad.

I hated Christmas growing up because it was a time of strife, conflict, anger and (one memorable holiday) an attempt by my step-grandfather to molest me. But when my children came along I did everything in my power to make it happy for them. It took a few years but I eventually started to enjoy the holiday.

Wishing you well this season!

So Sorry for your loss

My deepest condolences. I've never had to deal with a loss so close to the heart like that - I grieve for you, though I can't fully understand what you're going through. Hang in there...

When I first read your posts, I somehow misread your name as Boadicea,and the image stuck in my mind - our British woman warrior.

Losing a sibling is hard. No way to put a smiley on that experience. I've been following your story for years, and you have my sympathy. The pain will pass - healing happens, and the world continues. Deep breaths, and remember the good times.

Hi Briggy - so nice to see you here - sorry it is under sad circumstances.

When my uncle died, my aunt gave herself a year to do whatever she wanted. Accept or decline invitations. Celebrate the holidays or ignore them - the choice of what to do in the first year of the vacuum is entirely yours.

If you will enjoy making christmas for the grandchildren then do it for them - you are welcome to not enjoy it all if you don't. Follow your heavy heart though, it may well be able to whisper what is best for you.

But do give yourself a year of living gently and for yourself.

Wise advice, msmom.

I'm very sorry to hear that Brigantia; all the best.

my sincere condolences on your loss.

I have been on a similar journey before and know that the darkness will pass to make way for sweet memories peppered with poignant moments here and there, that's the way it should work at least. Perhaps the rawness of today will morph into that in time.

You have all shown amazing support for all of us in our journey into the light of truth and I'm grateful that she was able to enjoy an authentic life after leaving the cult.

I know that she will agree with me when I say our friends at RfM, especially one in the UK who knows who he is, together with some from the US, gave her the courage to be free at last from the clutches of mormonism. I had rarely seen her as happy as during those first days of freedom when I visited with the true history of which she hitherto had known nothing. Thank you so much for all your support.

Briggy



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/2011 03:16PM by brigantia.

Funny thing how we've never met... there are so many folks here who have never met you in person, but still love you!

When ya love someone you want to protect em from pain, and sometimes you just can't. I hope you'll accept my condolences. My heart aches with yours.

I'm so sorry, Briggy. I am glad you have your grandchildren, who will surely cheer you a bit.

Do take care of yourself during this time. My heartfelt sympathy to you.

At least that's my hope. Take each day as it comes and treat yourself with kindness and patience.

Take care.

It's very hard. Best wishes as you cope with this emptiness.

I've been keeping your situation private per your request, but several I've had lunch with over the holidays hold you in really high regard...

Time is all we have to heal us during these trials...

All my best,

SLC

:(
what Cabbie said too!! very high regard!!
besides you KNOW i LOVE redheads!! :)...ok maybe a little smile! :)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/2011 05:22PM by bignevermo.

You're right, your sister would want you to take care of yourself. Hugs from across the ocean.

I've been missing you and now understand. Thank you for letting us know.

I remember the unfolding of the Greek Islanders saga on board, when you travelled over there and helped family members to find freedom. What a great time that was on RfM!

I'm so glad to hear that your sister was happy to hear the news you brought them and that you could spend some time together, then on the sun-drenched isles and more recently through her illness.

I hope time with grandkids will comfort you through the holiday season and I too wish you peace.

Oh Briggy,

I am deeply saddened to hear this news. If I had any words to take the pain away, I would share them. I do not. You are on my heart, as are your family members that lost one so beloved.

Take care of you.
wings

Brigitannia- I understand your pain. It was one year on the 7th since I lost my sister. She was only 57. (((((hugs))))

I'm very sorry brigantia. Very hard thing to go through.

It sounds like you were a good sister too. Sending wishes for comfort to you and your family.