I wrestled with replying to this thread because I had no idea what to say. I hate that your family has been through hell over the past few years. All we can do is keep moving forward and love the ones who are still here.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using CSNbbs mobile app

(10-06-2026 09:04 AM)BartlettTigerFan Wrote:  

(10-06-2026 08:45 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(10-05-2026 06:49 PM)TripleA Wrote:  Not a chance I'm #2. There are 16 years between us.

Good point.

I think I accidentally "aged you" 10 years (wrongly recalling you are 89 when, in fact, you are 79).

But at the rate you are going ... you could hit 99. Keep driving that van all over the country and into Canada and Mexico. Will keep you young!

bill, adding 10 years to someone already ancient is damn near unforgivable. We love our Andy, be careful.

On the "aging 10 years theme" ...

... I tell the ladies I meet that I'm 74 (I'm actually 64).

Sadly, many respond with, "Oh. Goodness. I actually thought due to your gray hair and chinless visage, you were 84."

(10-06-2026 09:25 AM)b2b Wrote:  I wrestled with replying to this thread because I had no idea what to say. I hate that your family has been through hell over the past few years. All we can do is keep moving forward and love the ones who are still here.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using CSNbbs mobile app

Same here.

Over the last 5 years I've lost both grandparents, 2 very close uncles, one of my very best and oldest friends, my step father and my Dad. I've been extremely close with all of them for my entire life. That's 7 people in total.

I never married or had kids so it feels like my world has shrunk so much, they were 70% of my inner circle my whole life. Half the time I don't know who to call, visit or talk to anymore. They are all gone.

I don't know how people without faith in Christ make it through. I would be totally lost.

You've had my prayers and will continue to have them. Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage." Well, the turnover in casting has been hell! Like you and Eric our family has been hit hard. I try to focus on the new life, and keep in touch with the old, which are now all cousins with a smattering of aunts. I think all of the uncles on both sides are gone. You know it stinks when one day you wake up and you are the pater familias for the entire clan. Almost every family I know has lost loved ones to cancer so it's a foe we all can hate and work against. But not all families, at least the ones I know have lost a loved one to random violent crime. Watching the horribly slow justice system which milks every case for as much as it can get is a pain I hope never to have. Frustration is a horrible accelerant to toss on top of anger. Some long walks and a support group for the survivors of victims of violent crimes would be time well spent. You've got to leak that poison out in a group and burn off the energy anger creates or the combination will hit your immune system and physical well-being harder than you realize.

Men are taught to suck it up and soldier on. That's what you have to do when fighting a war. Life feels like a war, but it's not. Life is what we share. Death is intensely personal. That's why dealing with it must be done in the company of others whether surviving family who share the same loss, or with close friends who've experienced similar pain. In the case of random crime, the survivors share remarkably similar feelings and finding that out helps shatter the isolated randomness of the crime and illustrates how evil the stupid acts really are in their destructiveness, and why the mindset that creates them is not random at all. The fight of humanity should be against ignorance, but we seem to be creating more ignorance constantly whether by placating those we should be teaching or creating excuses for violence. The concept that money or stuff makes you special is the biggest lie ever sold to the public. I can't think of anything more stupid than thinking stuff makes us special and that getting it is so important that you have to take something that can't be replaced, a life, in order to get it. On those long walks think about what makes you happy and rediscover some of the peace you have lost.

(10-06-2026 09:25 AM)b2b Wrote:  I wrestled with replying to this thread because I had no idea what to say. I hate that your family has been through hell over the past few years. All we can do is keep moving forward and love the ones who are still here.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using CSNbbs mobile app

Truth, thanks bud.

(10-06-2026 10:21 AM)ericsrevenge76 Wrote:  

(10-06-2026 09:25 AM)b2b Wrote:  I wrestled with replying to this thread because I had no idea what to say. I hate that your family has been through hell over the past few years. All we can do is keep moving forward and love the ones who are still here.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using CSNbbs mobile app

Same here.

Over the last 5 years I've lost both grandparents, 2 very close uncles, one of my very best and oldest friends, my step father and my Dad. I've been extremely close with all of them for my entire life. That's 7 people in total.

I never married or had kids so it feels like my world has shrunk so much, they were 70% of my inner circle my whole life. Half the time I don't know who to call, visit or talk to anymore. They are all gone.

I don't know how people without faith in Christ make it through. I would be totally lost.

I've watched from afar as you've struggled with these losses, Eric, and you have handled them with grace and dignity. You have been a huge spiritual inspiration to me, and I feel I need to make sure you know that. Much love to you, brother.

(10-06-2026 11:05 AM)JRsec Wrote:  You've had my prayers and will continue to have them. Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage." Well, the turnover in casting has been hell! Like you and Eric our family has been hit hard. I try to focus on the new life, and keep in touch with the old, which are now all cousins with a smattering of aunts. I think all of the uncles on both sides are gone. You know it stinks when one day you wake up and you are the pater familias for the entire clan. Almost every family I know has lost loved ones to cancer so it's a foe we all can hate and work against. But not all families, at least the ones I know have lost a loved one to random violent crime. Watching the horribly slow justice system which milks every case for as much as it can get is a pain I hope never to have. Frustration is a horrible accelerant to toss on top of anger. Some long walks and a support group for the survivors of victims of violent crimes would be time well spent. You've got to leak that poison out in a group and burn off the energy anger creates or the combination will hit your immune system and physical well-being harder than you realize.

Men are taught to suck it up and soldier on. That's what you have to do when fighting a war. Life feels like a war, but it's not. Life is what we share. Death is intensely personal. That's why dealing with it must be done in the company of others whether surviving family who share the same loss, or with close friends who've experienced similar pain. In the case of random crime, the survivors share remarkably similar feelings and finding that out helps shatter the isolated randomness of the crime and illustrates how evil the stupid acts really are in their destructiveness, and why the mindset that creates them is not random at all. The fight of humanity should be against ignorance, but we seem to be creating more ignorance constantly whether by placating those we should be teaching or creating excuses for violence. The concept that money or stuff makes you special is the biggest lie ever sold to the public. I can't think of anything more stupid than thinking stuff makes us special and that getting it is so important that you have to take something that can't be replaced, a life, in order to get it. On those long walks think about what makes you happy and rediscover some of the peace you have lost.

I cannot love this enough. Your words have always been a source of inspiration and learning, JR. I am glad to have been given the opportunity to return here to see them. Thank you!

Men used to be taught to suck it up and soldier on. Now I think most of them are just taught to suck it.

TB4E, I just came across your thread. So sorry for the losses that your family have had in such a short period of time. My wife has been fighting cancer since early December '25 and just finished up with her final chemo treatment a week ago. In late June my mother passed away and just two weeks later my wife's younger brother passed away. Her brother's death was from cancer. Both of their services are being delayed until such time as my wife is able to travel out of state to attend them. I'm sure that your grief is understandably heavy from your losses. My wife has received a lot of prayers over the last 10 months, and we believe in the power of prayer. My thoughts are with you, and I will be sure to say a prayer for you and your family. My condolences.

(10-07-2026 06:50 AM)TigerBlue4Ever Wrote:  

(10-06-2026 10:21 AM)ericsrevenge76 Wrote:  

(10-06-2026 09:25 AM)b2b Wrote:  I wrestled with replying to this thread because I had no idea what to say. I hate that your family has been through hell over the past few years. All we can do is keep moving forward and love the ones who are still here.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using CSNbbs mobile app

Same here.

Over the last 5 years I've lost both grandparents, 2 very close uncles, one of my very best and oldest friends, my step father and my Dad. I've been extremely close with all of them for my entire life. That's 7 people in total.

I never married or had kids so it feels like my world has shrunk so much, they were 70% of my inner circle my whole life. Half the time I don't know who to call, visit or talk to anymore. They are all gone.

I don't know how people without faith in Christ make it through. I would be totally lost.

I've watched from afar as you've struggled with these losses, Eric, and you have handled them with grace and dignity. You have been a huge spiritual inspiration to me, and I feel I need to make sure you know that. Much love to you, brother.

That means more to me than you can know, brother. That's why we aspire for, that anything we say or do can be a positive on other people faith. Just planting seeds and trying to build up the Kingdom of God. That is what others did for me, that is why I strive to do even though it often feels like all the seeds fall on dry ground or rocks. But the truth is if just one sprouts its all worth it and you never rally know the results in most cases. Sometimes its also just watering and pruning what is already there so it can grow better. Just like you are having unseen impacts on those around you.

I am by know means a perfect Christian, we all have our flaws, weaknesses and struggles. But knowing and admitting that is a big part of our walk.

These are really hard losses but he lifts us up through these things.

I would have never thought I could move forward after all this but I'm doing it. Just as you are and will continue to do.

I wish nothing but good to my friend TB4E. His family has been through way more than most. Here's hoping for brighter days.

Sorry to read this TB4E,

Cancers a ***** and a bastard.

Took my MIL far too soon to multiple myeloma, diagnosed before we were even married.

She fought for 30 years with bravery, no one including the Drs. Would have ever imagined.

They’re making great progress in this fight, one day perhaps is the end.

May your Brother rest in good peace.

(10-07-2026 09:42 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  TB4E, I just came across your thread. So sorry for the losses that your family have had in such a short period of time. My wife has been fighting cancer since early December '25 and just finished up with her final chemo treatment a week ago. In late June my mother passed away and just two weeks later my wife's younger brother passed away. Her brother's death was from cancer. Both of their services are being delayed until such time as my wife is able to travel out of state to attend them. I'm sure that your grief is understandably heavy from your losses. My wife has received a lot of prayers over the last 10 months, and we believe in the power of prayer. My thoughts are with you, and I will be sure to say a prayer for you and your family. My condolences.

Dang, you know firsthand then. I too will pray for you, your wife, and the rest of your family. I used to think of cancer as something that happened to others. Boy, was I ever wrong.