Goodbye, My Brother

[Skytrooper]

I am sorry to hear of your loss. It sounds to me like Lorne was a true blessing for your family. R.I.P Lorne

[recycled sixtie]

Hi Les, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. That was a nice write up.
Cheers, Guy.

[pete3799]

My condolences Les

[DavidI]

Thank you for sharing your heartfelt tribute to your brother. We can all learn a great deal about life from Lorne and the way he lived it. It makes me happy that you were able to have your cherished conversation with him before he passed. I toast Lorne with a glass of whisky, David

[speeder]

My condolences as well. It sounds like you were a good brother, probably to all of your siblings. You have always been one of the true gentlemen around here, sorry for your loss.

[shadowjack1]

My condolences Les.

[JavaBrewer]

Thanks for sharing so much about Lorne and family Les. Condolences to you all.

[oldE]

Thank you to for the heartfelt responses. I had received a message from my sister who was Lorne's POA the evening before, advising his kidneys were failing. I thought I should make the four hour drive to pay a last visit, but she called me in the morning to say she was with him at the end. She said they had shared some chuckles and then he drifted off and simply stopped breathing.
My sister (whose name is Karen) has advocated for Lorne from the time of our Father's passing. She has been amazing. 24 years ago she and another of my sisters, who had been a nurse, provided palliative care for our mother in her last months. The women in my family are formidable, caring and compassionate.
I am blessed to be able to call them siblings. And they put up with me!
Tell your loved ones that you love them. You don't always get the chance to say it if you wait.

Best
Les

[jhynesrockmtn]

Very sweet tribute. He sounds like a wonderful person, as do your sisters. RIP Lorne.

[Cairo94507]

RIP Lorne.

[oldE]

Yesterday I headed back to the small community where I grew up to attend the internment of my brother's ashes. The day was perfect, warm and sunny with enough breeze to shake a gentle flurry of leaves onto the gathering. There was a crowd of about 60, comprised of siblings, nephews and a niece, cousins, neighbors and some folks who had been caught up in my brother's orbit over the years.
These days one hears the phrase "a Celebration of Life" . This was it. The minister had known Lorne for over 20 years and he made sure to respect Lorne's wishes that everyone should have a laugh or two. A sister who was not able to return home for the service sent a tribute which was read by Karen. She expressed what I tried to say in my original post and more. (She even noted Lorne's memory for people, places and things, adding he would sometimes recall things you would rather be forgotten. )
My nephew Sandy played the bagpipes and we relocated to the community hall for more catching up, light snacks and photos.
Not a tear was shed. It was truly a confirmation of a life well lived.
Thank you all again for your heartfelt condolences.

Best
Les