My brother Fred
I am one of six siblings the oldest of four brothers and the youngest are twins both live in America.
They are nine years younger than myself their names are Fred and Joe...............Fred was married to his wife Judith of 24 years and had three sons the youngest boys twins.
They all live in Jamison PA, when the twins were seven David was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and after two years of incredible courage passed away.
In 2005 Margaret and myself went over to visit them for the first time, we spent time with them and got to know my brother Fred and his family again after 30 years apart.
Fred was diagnosed with a bladder cancer problem in his fifties' unfortunately Fred's cancer got worse a year and a half ago they removed a kidney, but the cancer continued to eat away.
Fred was an IT wizard, he was in the British Army, 'The Royal Signals' and after years of other jobs his true profession emerged..........................computers
Although we had not seen each other for such a long period we kept in touch through the computers with the old system ICQ and then when 'Skype' arrived we were in contact constantly, often getting in trouble with our spouses about the time we spent on the computers.
In early September he was in the hospital were his wife works as a nurse manager in the sick infants unit. he asked me if I would come over and see him quickly.
I booked a flight and arrived there on their birthday's the 15th October his twin brother Joe arriving from Michigan on the day before, and his daughter Emma from a previous marriage from England.
We spent two and a half weeks together, he was confined to a wheel chair bone cancer had him in its grip, these weeks were great, celebrating their 59 birthday together with his other twin Joe.
At 6:38 am. on Thursday November the 12th my brother passed away with his family all around him............... Goodbye My Brother..........Frederick George Brindley.
This is still hurting, but on many of the posts in the Oranjemund family we share our life stories I thought you could share mine................................ Frank
Frank - thank-you for sharing your news with us, we hope that you can draw strength from all of us during your time of grief.
I know it is no consolation at this time but you are blessed to have been able to spend this last time with your brother before he passed on. Hopefully there were many good memories made during this time that you will look back on and be able to cherish.
Thinking of you and the rest of Fred's family!
3d smiles(281) bighug
Thanks for sharing your story of loss with us Frank , people with love in their hearts are not afraid to do so .. and yes the pain it gets better with time if we want it to , the fond memories remain forever .. Sandy
Condolences to you and your family Frank.
Thanks for sharing your personal sad loss with your bigger "Oranjemund" family and talking about it does help.
Yes time is a great healer after one has lost a loved one and as Sandy said, memories remain. I would imagine it was so nice for you to get together before he passed on, even though he must have been suffering.
Frank, you are not alone in your sad loss, I'm sure the "bigger" family are all thinking of you..........
Mike & Jenny
Thank you Frank. My thoughts are with you. bighug
thoughts are with you and your family Frank, and thank you for sharing, it does help to share with friends and family and that is what we are. bighug
Thanks to all for your kind words and concern. Oranjemunders are special giverose