Just wow. What a hard day.

[Moonshot_1]

So my wife and daughter have been planning a trip to Rome for the last year.
They finally got to go and left Monday afternoon. Got to Rome early this morning.

4 hours after they get to Rome I got to call my wife to tell her that her brother died late Monday night.
Wasn't sickly or having issues. (He did see the dr. that morning, "nothing wrong" then dies that night.)
Just an apparent major heart attack. Late 50's. Great guy. Wife with 2 college age kids.

So their planned 10 days in Italy (Church group pilgrimage to the Vatican) lasts 10ish hours. Got their return flights. They should be home Wed. at supper time.

Blind sided everybody.

The week is starting off pretty ugly.

[Jess from VA]

Sorry for your (and her) troubles Mike.  

I suppose not telling her (until she got back) was out of the question?

I got a call telling me my dad was in poor shape (cancer) and I ought to think about getting up there.  I asked, can I wrap a few things up tomorrow then come the next day?  That will be fine.  The next morning I get a call.... He's gone. 

[Rams]

Wow!   My sincerest condolences to the entire family.   Times like these are tough, may need to dig deep to find the strength to "be there" for the family.

Rams 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Late 50's is pretty early to go.  I'm very sorry for your family's loss.

[Jersey mike]

Condolences to your wife, you and the family. Hope closure comes quick and easy for everyone.

[Serk]

That's a hard one, my condolences....   

This post prompted me to reach out to Kali and ask her how much, from whom and how she'd want to be informed of such things if they were to happen while she's on deployment...

An uncomfortable conversation, but a necessary one.

[f6john]

I've been to two family funerals this month, both fine ladies who were reasonably health into their 80's and 90's but we felt the loss just the same. Both of them and their families got to say their goodbyes which is wonderful for all and the most recent departed told her son she was tired and ready to go home, which she did in the morning.

Once anyone can get over the shock and sorrow of an unexpected and untimely death, it's comforting to know the Bible says to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord. If we could grasp what that would be like, our funerals would be celebrations coupled with the loss of companionship of the person who has moved on.

Prayers for the family who has to carry on with life in the present.

[LadyDraco]

Prayers  for  strength to all

[Farside]

So very sorry to hear this has happened to your family. What a terrible turn of events being blind sided like that. RIP to your brother-in-law and Prayers for all involved. 

[Moonshot_1]

Wife and daughter made it back on Wed.
Arrangements were finalized today. Funeral on Tues.
Could easily be said he was a pillar of the community. And he was.

Gonna be a real big funeral.

Thank you all for the thoughts and condolences.
Very much appreciated.

Mike

[Wizzard]

Condolences and yes you did the right thing.  Ones funeral and memories only happen once but a trip can be taken again.

We live every day but only die once

[Robert]

So sorry for your families and everyone's loss. It is especially bad when its sudden and unexpected. Hope that one day they will get to complete their trip.