Very sorry for your loss - prayers for your strength so that you can be supportive during your own mourning. Maybe you can help to plan a small remembrance celebration to celebrate his life and all the good that he did? I still celebrate my Grandma every year on St. Patrick's Day as it was one of her favorite "holidays" and she died on that day many years ago. I like to think she knows we're celebrating her.

I'm so sorry, Elly!

I don't know if this will sound weird, nor do I know how to put this, but I feel it's nicer to let people continue to exist in the moment instead of making them think about what will no longer be. I remember one woman I knew, her daughter would sit by her bedside and say, "You're dying, Mommy. How do you feel?"And she'd do it over and over. It was... irritating. I've seen a lot of people do that in not so obvious ways. Every day, all the time, "How do you feel? How do you feel?" I find that the ill and dying appreciate a little break from being a sick person now and again. And their caretakers appreciate a little break from that too.

Elly, just read the update. I am so sorry.

I just caught-up with your sad story Elly.
I am sorry to hear of your loss- gone too soon.

I'm so sorry for your loss.... he sounds like a wonderful person and you were all blessed to have had him in your life... it's never long enough though

I'm so very sorry to be reading this, Elly.

Before I got to your update, I was just thinking that the best thing you might do for your friend (the surviving partner) is to be there for her and her children even more after his passing than right now.

A friend of mine lost her partner, then just 23 years old, two years ago. Looking at my friend now, this is what occurs to me: Often, the bereaved fall off people's radar after the first courtesy visits and practical help are over with---but particularly when losing someone so young, or indeed when losing a spouse/partner, times can remain hard and coping alone difficult for a few years after. Youth especially can be too busy living or too inexperienced to wait out the grief of a youthful mourner, I find. So just be there... There is immense comfort in just being able to acknowledge the grief, share the loss and relive the good times with people who new that beloved soul that has passed.

Elly, just thinking of you and wondering how you are all doing?

Deborah-- Thank you.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their support and suggestions. We are doing alright. Monday and Tuesday were very hard days last week, but the service was on Wednesday. It was very short notice again, but turned out to be a very fitting tribute. Although I am still concerned about my SO, he seems to be handling things in a healthy way. I'm going to do my best to be there for our friend's partner, but at the moment she is well taken care of and surrounded by family support. There are several fund-raising efforts in place (because of his medical bills) and I've volunteered my labor.

Although far from normal, life is starting to get back into the swing and I guess we are just trying to appreciate how lucky we all are to have each other and by being extra patient and loving.

I appreciate all the support.