Sunday, March 8, 2015

Saturday's Sunset....

 I am showing Saturday's sunset pictures , while I tell you of the past few days. Many of you know my brother passed away and was buried on Friday.
  The viewing was Thursday evening. With family time at 6:00.. At  6:30 people staring coming through the funeral home. They did not stop till almost 9:30. Three hours of a steady flow of friends, family, townspeople and co-workers.

 I knew my brother knew many people, because he never forgot a name. But I honestly was impressed with how many people came to pay their respects. 
  It also was a tough time for all my siblings , our families and myself.  We will miss Mark. He will be missed by many.  On the way to the cemetery, that is when I saw how much traffic was backed up for our procession to stay together. I told Ted, one of the poorest men in town truly was the richest with friends. That is when I cried without control.
  Let me explain this, my brother worked 34 years , made lots of money. Spent it as fast as he made it. He had a friend who called him, a weekend millionaire...as he could spend his paycheck in a weekend , some times.  Money meant nothing to Mark. So he actually had very little in material things. But the man was loved. I think more than he ever knew.
  I have felt exhausted . I want to try to get back to normal, whatever that is, soon. Thank you dear blog family, for all your prayers, thoughts and kind words, you have held me up. Love you. XO

46 comments:

  1. Susie,
    What a wonderful turn out for your brother. You got me with your insight in the car about your brother. "One of the poorest men in town but the richest with friends". Oh my that got me. Thinking of you and praying for better days ahead.
    Kris

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    1. Thank you Kris for your thoughts and prayers. We do need them. This has all been so stressful. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  2. You might say your brother knew what was most important, giving love in his own way. I think I would have liked him very much.

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    1. Thank you Peggy. He probably would have teased you.LOL...he was like that. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  3. Oh Susie, I am so sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing to you and your family. My thoughts are with you. xoxo

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    1. Thank you Japolina. I hope our family can just remember the good times. Bless you, xoxo,Susie

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  4. You know what, Susie? Material things just didn't matter to him but relationships did. I think that is one of the most important gifts we have here on this earth- that wonderful connection with others.

    God bless YOU as you find your way back to your new normal. xo Diana
    ps. Great pictures

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    1. Thank you Diana. I hope I can start to feel less stressed. This has been very difficult for me. I am praying for my siblings to remember the better times we have had. xoxo,Susie

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  5. Good Morning Susie, You can't put a price on friendship and love. It is something that is given very freely. What is normal? That is a question that I keep asking myself and saying when things get back to normal. I love the sunset and it made for a nice ending to a hard day to get through. We are always exhausted, but think of the memories that you have. I will say an extra prayer for you tonight. Sending many hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend Shirley

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    1. Shirley, My brother was blessed with my friendships. Normal is hard to put our fingers on...Ha. I am trying to feel less stressed from these past few weeks. Thank you so for the prayers. xoxo,Susie

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  6. The respect and love of your brother's friends/co-workers means a lot to all of you, I know. May God continue to bless you during this difficult time.

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    1. Mildred , Is was touching for all of us to see Mark's wealth of friends. Bless you, xoxo,Susie

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  7. To be quite honest I am not a religious person. That doesn't mean I have no feelings or can't relate. When I say I am not religious I only mean I no longer subscribe to any organized religion. I have my reasons but that does not mean that I don't understand the feeling of pain when you lose someone close. I lost a long time friend several months ago and though that doesn't equate to losing a sibling, I know the sadness that it brings. I lost both my parents in 2004. That was not an easy year. but that is the way life works. I would be incredibly devastated if I lost one of my sisters. I'm the oldest and I hope I am the first one to go. That would be only natural. I don't know how I would be if one of them went before me. I would probably lose it completely.
    I want to thank you for your continued support blog-wise. It means a lot to me. Thank you.

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    1. Paul, I remember when your friend passed. I still miss my best friend too. When we love people we do not have to be related to feel a great sense of loss. I enjoy following your blog...hey I have to know what's going on in Boston. xoxo,Susie

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  8. Oh by the way, I love the sunset pictures. I'm a big fan of those. The ones I posted were from Martha's Vineyard. The first from the west side of the island and the second from the east side.

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    1. Boston Boy, your Vineyard pictures are so pretty. I love seeing them. Blessings to you and Arlene, xoxo,Susie

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  9. "One of the poorest men in town truly was the richest in friends........so beautiful, Susie.

    Hang in there, my dear friend. Your brother would be smiling at how many loved him. :~)

    ~Sheri

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    1. Thank you Sheri. It has been a difficult time. I have felt so very stressed ..hoping things smooth out this week. xoxo,Susie

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  10. Oh, and these sunsets are lovely - what perfect pictures for Mark, Susie.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Thanks, I love sunsets and sunrises. It is very spring like here today. xoxo,Susie

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  11. What a wonderful way to remember your brother, Susie. There are so many ways to be rich other than money. It seems he touched many lives. xo Laura

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    1. Laura, I was touched to see how many actually came . Many told stories of their times together. I Want to remember all the good things about my brother...we will miss him. xoxo,Susie

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  12. Your brother seemed to know what was important in this life. He has left behind him a lot of memories and relationships.he was rich in ways that are important. So sorry for your loss.

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    1. Missy, Thank you for the sweet words. You made me smile. Bless you, xoxo,Susie

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  13. Oh my goodness! I have been away and I didn't know what you were going through. I am so saddened! What a beautiful tribute to him.

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    1. Thank you honey. It's been a tough time. Also very draining on emotions. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  14. It does take time to get back into a routine after the loss of someone so dear. Give yourself time, let yourself grieve! Sending prayers and hugs your way! Blessings, Cindy

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    1. Cindy, You are so right about grieving...it does take time.Thank you for your prayers and hugs. I truly appreciate them. :) Bless you, xoxo,Susie

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  15. What a special tribute to your brother, and the community. My husband (the Pastor) has officiated so many funerals in our 50 years of ministry. He has always said. "You write your own funeral"....You dear brother wrote a good one, and the love and turn outs proves it.

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    1. Wanda, Your husband is right. I would have loved hearing his sermons. My heart was touched by my brother's turn out of friends. Bless you, xoxo,Susie

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  16. I would bet that Mark would love to be remembered just how you said he was. Did he give a lot of his money to others as well You take time to rest and get back on your feet. It takes awhile. Hugs

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    1. Thank you Debby. He gave to his children , lots. This has been an exhausting time. I just feel very tired. I know it's nerves. We buried Mark beside our mother. Bless you, susie

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  17. I so agree with Wanda -your brother did, indeed, write his own funeral. Love and prayers for you, Susie. Please know how much WE love and admire you and the way you live your life! Also - and I know this is crazy - but Louis Dean and I have come to love YOU!!! Love and prayers as you mourn the great loss of your brother. But know that others are praying for and loving you through your grief.

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    1. Lind, You know you have touched my heart many times. I an honored by your love. I feel that you and LD are my family. Ever since we starting blogging together, it's seemed we are connected. I am blessed. I truly appreciate your prayers and sweet words. Love you too, xoxo,Susie

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  18. Oh Susie....I am so sorry about your brother's passing. Wanda is right...your brother wrote his own funeral. This post is a wonderful tribute to your brother, evident of the love you and your family have for him.
    I love you, dear Susie.
    Debbie
    xo

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    1. Debbie, I am so thankful for your dear friendship. You have comforted me through so much. My daughter's cancer, my brother's death,even my everyday blues at times. You are a wonderful friend. Love you so much, Susie

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  19. This is beautiful, Susie...if someone could say this about me when I die...I would have a life well spent. Love to you, Susie...xo

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    1. Linda, You are so kind. I can only hope half that many people would see me off. :) It made me feel good to know so many cared about my brother. Thank you for the love, you have helped me. Bless you, xoxo,Susie

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  20. Oh Susie, I'm so sorry you had to go through this difficult time. It really must have touched your soul to actually see how loved your brother was.

    My prayers are with you, and please know I'm thinking about you.

    Blessings,
    Gert

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    1. Gert, I was touched by all the love of my brother's friends. I am also impress by my blog family's support. It has helped me so much. Who knew , this could be a haven for all of us. Thank you for the prayers and good wishes. Bless you and Tom, xoxo,Susie

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  21. I think being loved by many is far more important than material possessions. Your brother was obviously well thought of by many. A beautiful post and tribute to your dear brother, Susie! I enjoyed seeing your lovely sunsets. Take care!

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    1. Thank you Cheryl. I was happy to see how my brother had touched our lives. Bless you, xoxo,Susie

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  22. O, I am so glad he had so many that loved and will miss him. I'm sure he was looking down and saw all those family, friends and coworkers.
    I hope you can rest and get your heart back to normal. It;s so hard to lose a loved one and I know your heart just hurts.

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    1. Thank you sweet BJ. I have been held up by my blog family...it has helped me. I am happy my brother was loved by many. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  23. I'm so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    Farmhouse hugs,
    Cindy

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    1. Thank you Cindy. So kind of you to think of us. Bless you, xoxo,Susie

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