Sunday, September 01, 2013

Slow Stitching Sunday

It's Slow Stitching Sunday, and I will be stitching along with all of you today.

I am sad to share that my brother died yesterday, at the age of 47 years, leaving behind many, many friends and family who loved him and will miss him everyday. I wrote a bit about him in a blog post in 2007, and it is hard for anyone to imagine the suffering he has experienced in his life.
Here he is last year when he was discharged from hospital after a long stay in ICU. He was having a visit with my Mom and was keeping warm in the flannel quilt I made for him in 2006. 
As his body left this world, he was lovingly wrapped in this quilt that I made for him. His suffering is over and he can finally breathe and rest.
I will take a week long break from blogging while we sit shiva (borrowing from Jewish traditions) at my brother's house. 
I will check in to see what you are working on and hope you will link up your hand stitching blog post below. 




78 comments:

Janet O. said...

I will be praying for you and your family, Kathy. It is good that your brother suffers no longer, but that doesn't make you miss him less. It is obvious that you have been a good sister to him.

Béa said...

Kathy, I send you all warmestlove and deepest sympathy.

Marlene said...

Oh Kathy my heart goes out to you and your family. Your brother is suffering no longer and in a better place even though it is hard for those left behind.
Sending you big hugs.

Sheila said...

I'm sorry to hear that your brother died, Kathy. You, your brother and your family are and have been on my mind. There aren't words.

Lesley said...

Sending hugs and prayers...

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

My thoughts are with you and your family...

Diane Kelsey said...

We thoughts are with you at this sad time. Nice to know you have the support of your family. X

Anonymous said...

Sending prayers your way. So sorry for your lose.

Deb A said...

Sending prayers and big hugs to you and your family. Know that he is smiling down on all of you.

Karen said...

Sending hugs and prayers for your family. You have been very faithful taking taking care of your brother. May your memories be great comfort through the following days,

The Cozy Quilter said...

So sorry, Kathy, to hear this sad news. You have been able to spend a lot of time with your brother lately and he leaves this world knowing he was well loved and cherished.. Hugs to you and your family.

Emma's Daughter said...

I am so sorry. Please know prayers and a quilty hug are sent your way

Frog Quilter said...

Sending many hugs your way.

sue bennett said...

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Many hugs and thoughts coming your way.

Missy Shay said...

I am so sorry for your lost! I will say a prayer for you and your family.

carol fun said...

So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for you and your family...Hugs too!

Amy said...

Kathy, sending you thoughts, love and sympathy.

Ellen said...

Kathy, I am so sorry for the loss of your very much loved brother. I am happy for you that you were able to spend so much time showing him how much you loved and cared about him.

'Mourn not my cocoon for my butterfly has flown'

Julie in GA said...

Kathy, I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Sherry said...

Sending hugs and prayers for you and your family.

Pokey said...

So young, I'm sorry to read of his sufferings too. May you get comfort in knowing his passing is a release from the pain his life endured. I'm sending a prayer and a hug for peace for all of you ~
:-}pokey

julieQ said...

My heart is with you dear Kathy.

Deanna W said...

Although it breaks our hearts to see loved ones suffering, you can rest assured you did everything to make him comfortable and loved while he was here. But now he is suffering no longer and watching over you and his family. We have angels everywhere I believe. Take care friend.

Sherill said...

Your many memories will give you and your family comfort for many years.

Candace said...

My heart is so sad for you and your family. I have a brother who is fighting lung cancer, and I can't imagine the sorrow. I pray for comfort for you and your family, I know that your brother is in a better place, and his suffering which he fought so bravely is over. We will be with our loved ones again, I have faith in that.

Judy D in WA said...

Oh Kathy, my heart is breaking for you and your family. Sending hugs and heart healing prayers.

Elaine M said...

Kathy, Sorry to hear this news this morning. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

Dolores said...

How very sad. My deepest condolences.

Diane said...

I am sad for your lost sending my prayers as you keep vigil; may many good memories and the love of family and friends sustain you.

Anne said...

What a mixture of grief and gratitude you and your family must be going through right now. Remember him well and love each other through and beyond the mourning period. My heartfelt condolences to you and yours.

Darlene said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved brother. I will be sending prayers all week as you and your family grieve. ((Hugs))

Susan P said...

Kathy, So sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are in my prayers. Susan

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

My condolences Kathy, I thought about you and your brother a lot this week, so hard to let go, yet it is good to know that your brother is at peace. He will never leave your heart!

Christine said...

I am so sorry for your loss and my heart aches for your mom in losing her child. God bless you with memories and peace. from Ontario

pcflamingo said...

No sufficient words to ease your loss; I know how devastated I would be to lose either of my brothers. Even knowing that he is no longer suffering is probably sometimes small comfort to the fact that he is gone. I hope memories of happier times can filter through the sadness and lift you up.

Jan said...

I'm truly sorry for your loss, and all of the suffering that your brother endured.

Gisele Bourdon said...

Je vous transmet toute mes sypathie
Gisèle

Teresa in Music City said...

Kathy, I am so, so sorry for your loss!!! I will be praying for you all during this time and ask for amazing, miraculous comfort to be poured out in your lives. Be blessed my friend!!!

Nancy-Rose said...

Kathy - I am so sorry to learn of your loss.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Kathy I am so very sorry. I lost my baby brother last April at 44. I know how you feel. But as you said, he does not hurt anymore. No need to write back just know my thoughts are with you and the family.

Thelma said...

I'm so sorry, you and your family are in my thoughts.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear your brother has passed on. So hard to lose the ones we love..prayers going up for you and your family.

Barbara said...

So sorry to hear of your brother's death, Kathy. I lost my only brother in 2003 when he was 56, and so I can imagine your pain at losing someone so special. While the heartache of my brother's death has passed, I still miss him every day. I will keep a good thought for your family, and I hope that the passage of time will give your peace with your memories of him. Take good care.

Quilt n Queen said...

Kathy, I'm so sorry to hear your brother has passed. Cherish your memories of him and he will be in your heart always. He is at peace and his pain is gone forever. Thinking of you at this difficult time...hugs and prayers to you and your family.

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

I am so sorry... sending quilty hugs.

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

Oh Kathy
My heart hurts for you.. A hard loss to bear.

Holding you n my thoughts

Linda

Kindred Quilts said...

My deepest sympathy to you and your family Kathy. May your brother rest in peace.

StitchinByTheLake said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. I am praying that God will lift you all in His arms and give you peace and grace. blessings, marlene

Judy Dietrich said...

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at the loss of your brother. He suffers no more. Hugs to his sons who will have to find a way to live without their father. What a sad end to this story, he fought his best fight with his sisters and mom at his side. You know in your heart that you helped him as best as you could, and it still could not overcome the cancer. Many things we do not understand in this life---why take him at his age??? I hope time will help ease the pain. Love and hugs, Judy

Katie Z. said...

I am so sorry for your loss.

AnnieO said...

My deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved brother. Your boundless love and care for him came through in each post where he was mentioned, and I know your family supported him in every possible way through his long and often painful journey. My heart aches for your family's loss but I am sure you are glad he is no longer in pain. Hugs

Anonymous said...

Kathy,

Sorry to hear of your loss. You have been a great sister and will have happy memories to remember. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Dianne

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

I am so sorry to read this, but know your dear brother is in a better place. Sending my warmest hugs, thoughts, and prayers for you and your family at this sad time.

Quilt Rat said...

Oh Kathy, sorry for your loss , I know that you were a tremendous source of strength and comfort....he could count on you..... He will live on in your memories and heart.

Darlene D said...

Oh Kathy, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your brother was a very lucky man to have a sister who cared for him so deeply! I'll be thinking of you and yours in the days ahead! <3

Kate said...

So very sorry for your loss. You'll be in my prayers this week.

Denise :) said...

I'm so very sorry -- grieving for your family. Praying for peace, strength and comfort, Kathy. And sending hugs. :)

margaret said...

such a sad time for you nd the family, you will be in my prayers and now you know your brother is at peace, God bless you all.

scraphappy said...

Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope knowing that his suffering has ended will bring you and your family some comfort in the coming days. To lose someone so young is never easy though and my heart goes out to you.

Melissa said...

I am praying for you and your family Kathy as you go through this period of sadness. Know that people all over the world are thinking of you and sending you positive energy.

Debra said...

Kathy, I have not been online for a couple of days. My heart goes out to you and your family on this sad news. May your brother rest in peace. He is free now.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. You were a wonderful sister to him. At least he doesn't hurt any longer. At least you have lots of memories to keep him alive with. Know that many are thinking of you during this time.

Jean said...

I'm so sorry to hear of his death...your family is in my thoughts and prayers through this hard time.

Mary said...

My condolences on your loss. I know it will leave a void in your lives to be with a beloved brother and it is pitiful measure of comfort to think that he is beyond the pain and suffering of mortals now. If I lived closer and you were sitting shiva, I would be on your doorstep with a kugel in a second, haven't figured out how to do that electronically so all I can send is words hoping to help comfort and heal.

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

So very sorry for your loss. Having lost a young person in our own family I realize that absolutely nothing anyone can say can help your pain but I will send a prayer for your mother and and your family, may you all find peaceful hearts.

Tosty's Quilting Tidbits said...

Sending my deepest sympathies to those left behind, but glad to know that he is no longer suffering and is at peace.
Mary

Steffi´s Candy Quilts said...

I am very sorry for your loss...Hugs for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry. I know how much you will miss him.

Sally Ann said...

I am so sorry about your brother's passing away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during this very difficult time. Thankfully we will always have our memories to cherish of the ones that have passed before us. He is at peace and in no more pain.The one consulation that you can feel good about during this time.

Cathy said...

Oh Kathy, I'm so sorry to hear this. Even knowing it was coming, even knowing that he was tired of the fight, it still has to be so hard, and there are no words that will make it feel better. Never the less, we are all thinking of you and your family.

Patti said...

Sending my love and prayers to all of your family in this difficult time.

Teresa said...

Seems no matter how prepared you thing you are for this time, it always hits you hard and almost seems surreal. Take comfort n famil and friends. I will pray for God'scomfort and peace for you family.

Becky said...

So sorry to read of your loss. Will keep you in my prayers!

swooze said...

Kathy I am very sorry for your loss. My condolences to your entire family.

Karee said...

Courage! You have witnessed it. You have encouraged it. You have lived it. You have shared it. You have released it.
Peace. May you feel it.

Rose Marie said...

Your brother is at peace ... no more hurting. Now, it is your turn to take care of yourself. Hugs to you and your loved ones.

Dresden Quilter said...

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. My thoughts are with you.

Jeanne said...

Kathy, I can't believe I missed the news about your brother. I am so sorry for your loss. As I backtracked through your posts, I was touched by your love and devotion shown to him. What a blessing you were to each other. He is now at peace. I am sending my love and hugs to you.