Why????

Dave sorry to be reading and hearing this news. Like many above have said, it's very hard to bury a son or daughter. My mom was the first to go in our family followed by her oldest brother, yet my grandma lived many more years and passed at 94 years of age. Stuff like this leaves me sad for the life he could have shared with his dad. Take care friend. Steve.

My heart aches for Mike on this Father's Day. He's got to be hurting like never before. I stepped up the special prayers this morning thinking about what he must be going thru.

A sad story, since he seems too young for his time to run out! Unfortunately, we all get things in life that we would not choose! :-( I also lost a son way too young.

I recently helped a father and son on an AMX project. The father... a long time friend... died a couple months later. I was honored to be a part of the enjoyment they were finding together. That helps to see it as more then JUST a tragic time.

Your friend's son was able to enjoy doing something with his dad until the end. That is not a bad way to end his story. RIP

Dave, have you spoken to Mike lately?
If so, how's he holding up?
Yesterday while I was hanging out with my 2 sons,
I thought of Mike several times and sent up a quick prayer for him.

Mike is just not doing well at all.... Doesn't want any company, won't return calls, etc. His daughter and her kids are still with him, so we just keep praying and hoping for the best....

That's about all you can do - - Sherry's sister is dying of cancer and she doesn't what "ANYONE" to come see her or make any contact with her and it's tearing Sherry's heart out. She needs to hold her sister one more time and tell her that she loves her but her husband has shut the family out of all this so far.

I'm sure that Mike knows that you're there if he needs you and sometimes that is a very important thing to know. A good friend of mine told me years ago that "grief and misery" are very "personal" things and that no 2 people handled them the same way - - - - - the longer I live, the more I realize how true that is.

Yeah Emm, I've known Mike for many years. He's always had his own unique way of handling difficulties and bad situations. My pal Lyle and I talked this morning and agreed that about all we could do was let Mike handle Chad's death in his own way, and hope he'll be able to get through it. Since Mike's divorce 20+ years ago Chad has not only been his son but his best friend. I did spend some time yesterday with my friend Pastor Terry and we talked the whole thing through, heck it's not been easy for me to accept Chad's death so I can't even imagine what it's like for Mike. As I said earlier, no parent should ever have to bury their child..........

Good to hear Mike has a daughter to tend to his soul, no matter how strong we may think someone is, this sort of thing can leave some folks very distraught and vulnerable to unthinkable decisions. I'm sure you who know and care for Mike know you need to be there even if it seems intrusive.

The family had a very private service for Chad today.....Perhaps the healing can start now????

Thanks to all of you for the help, advice, and support. I guess losing friends is just another of the perils of growing old.....

Yep. My wife lost her Mom just yesterday early in the morning. She seemed young at 72, but had a long battle with breast cancer. I hope the healing can start with her and the rest of the family now.

No consolation but, as you know, she's in a better place now. My wife's sister is dying from a long battle with breast cancer also and we are expecting that "phone call" any minute or day now. We have been praying for your family, Steven, and for Chad's family every night - - please offer one up for Sherry's sister as she is suffering so much and it's tearing my wife's heart out.
meller

Meller will do and thanks!

X2 Stovens, there's no words I can offer other than my condolenses.... I'm sure she's at peace and there is no more pain or worry.

Those long illnesses are terrible on everyone! Hate to see good people suffer through a long illness. My condolences to all.

Steve,we are sorry to hear that..Emm,likewise..Its not good to have family suffer with a nasty disease like cancer..I suppose I should be grateful,that my own father left us because,basically,old age caught up with him,,and he had been battling a bad cold only weeks before..And,yes..that dreaded phonecall..I woke up with a start at 1.15 AM on that morning,not knowing what it was that woke me..Then the phonecall at 6.45AM........:(