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I've lost most of my family over a period of a few years, one after the other, including my parents, grandparents, my sister's only two children (which were very close to me) several aunts, uncles, my only two brothers, and even several friends.......my 52 year old brother just died a few months ago in the ICU and I was never even told by the hospital how he actually died. He had an alcohol problem, and all I do know is that he was conscious and aware in the ICU one minute, and then gone the next.
8 months prior to that, our mom passed away from cancer. I stayed home at her house with her so she could get hospice care, but at home rather than dying in a hospice unit, potentially surrounded by strangers (that's not to say that the hospice people are not complete angels, because they are) I couldn't have done it without their help and real compassion.
I did hold my mom's hand as she took her last breath that July early morning around 2 am, and feel like I did make it to the most important engagement of my life (to be there for my mom when she passed away, and not let her pass away alone) and I'm extremely thankful that I got to do that. However, life for me truly changes at that very moment, and has stayed the same ever since. I remember looking up at the sunny sky that morning after mom was taken out of the house, and even the sky looked different. The trees, the roads I've traveled for many years, all just looked different.
I've never felt so alone, and could never have imagined this is how life would be at the age of 47.
I still function like a normal person, but feel different inside, and it's kind of a numbing feeling, mixed with sadness and regret. Why am I writing all of this? Perhaps others have experienced similar situations, and hearing it from other people may help just knowing that, yes, you will feel different. You may always feel this way. You'll still be able to move on. But most importantly, I feel like I should tell my story in the hopes that someone out there that isn't making time for their loved ones will read my words, and understand that it could all change in an instant leaving you alone in this world, just wishing you had one last chance to tell your mom you love her, or take your dad out to that car show he used to enjoy going to in his younger years...............

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I’ve l lost my parents, my two sisters and my only brother, last year. I feel so alone .
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Reply to Beejills
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I have lost my parents, my two sisters, my brother last year. I’m the sole survivor and feel so alone
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My dear, you are grieving. You have had a lot of overwhelming losses and you are sad. It’s ok to feel sad and empty and irs good you are acknowledging how you feel.

Please take care of yourself and hydrate. Grief and dehydration go hand in hand.
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Southernwaver Feb 26, 2024
Oh and my guess for your bother is heart attack or stroke. My brother has an alcohol problem and that is how I expect him to go out.
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I'm so sorry, I have a friend that lost her husband and 3 weeks later her dad, this holiday season, I have no clue how to help her, I just check in on her , I just want to say thank you for sharing your story, and that there are others in your shoes. Remember to take care of yourself. My heart goes out to you
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I lost my mom to cancer and just lost my dad to dementia and heart disease. I can’t imagine how you feel. I’m so sorry. You are certainly not alone. 🤗
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Hi ihave lost my beautiful mum and brother in the last 2 years….so I know what you’re going through, it’s the worst, just look for bereavement councillors but sue Ryder we’re awful…I missed one and they cancelled it all…because we got mixed up times .
but it’s a struggle and it may not get easier for while, mines been 16 months and today was my worst day! ? Strange I know. But true.
just take day at a time.
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I lost my brother years ago, and my father recently, only have my mom left she's 89 and in good physical health. Always has been a difficult complicated person - narcissistic - there are so many emotions for me in there. Once she is gone I will have no one. I am single and thankful that I have a good base of friends and some cousins but I have such mixed emotions about what happens after and how difficult she still is. She still takes up so much real estate in my head and I don't know how to change that I am 67 she could last another ten years and the relationship and it's always heavy for me. On one side I am thankful that physically things are ok but there is always a pervasive heaviness around her and it wears on me so much. She was diligent, extremely hard working and sacrificed for my brother and me (and no, she didn't harp on that)- but I think she was always somewhat depressed -- and looking back, seemed outright antagonistic to happiness in others or herself. And very suspicious of people's motives. It took years to see how draining that was and still is. She is however still my mother and the only family I have left so there will be a big hole.
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Thanks for sharing your story.
I also have very little family left and I feel like an adult orphan. Life still goes on I still have my beautiful wife of 35 years but most of her family has passed as well.
If something happens to my wife that would be the end of me she is the strongest person I know and I would be lost without her.
I’m turning 60 this year and life has gone by in a flash. All I care about is leaving something behind for my children and grandchildren so that is the only thing that keeps me going.
God Bless and take it a day at a time
Tom M. Florida
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I posted this below in response to a person who had responded here- but I'm posting also in response to the OP...

I'm sorry for what you're going through. Nearly the identical situation with my mom. Only child, never married, father passed in 2010. Mom was in decent enough health until diabetes took a toll. She had controlled it for years but at 81 it started causing more issues, a toe amputation, a wheelchair which took her mobility (she had bad knees too) so while the wheelchair wasn't meant for long term, just for her foot to heal, she felt safe in it and stayed in it. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure (mild) about a year before that. So with the toe amputation, her bad knees and residual weakness from the heart issue, I lost her quickly. All in just a few months. I have a couple of decent friends where I live now and a few good friends in Denver- where we had lived most of our lives. A few of my mom's relatives in Missouri have been very good at talking me through this and being genuinely caring. I am thinking about moving out there to be closer to them. Thats a huge life change for me, but probably necessary. Don't give up, it WILL get better. You will adapt. I am, but it's a slow process. Been nearly a year for me and I'm in the EXACT same boat as you. My mom was my world. Well meaning friends have said, 'You should've moved out and built your own life'. My response to them-

I could've moved out and done that- but what happens if my husband were to pass away or if I had had kids or one kid, what if they had passed away too? I'm alone again. Then are people going to tell me that I still should've built my own life?? What will people say then?

People are silly and don't think things through they say. Nothing wrong with a parent or sibling being a huge and best part of your life.

You will move forward and learn to live again.

Living with and loving a dear parent for decades, when they pass it's like being widowed.

It will take longer to heal. Live each day and don't be hard on yourself. It's contrite, but your mom would not want you living that way. Life is not a prison sentence. This is rough road in your life, but it will smooth out again. You will see. Go to a therapist or a group. If you are a church person, griefshare.org has free grief groups in your local area that may help.
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I am now 51, I lost my mom in 2021 when I was 49. I'm an only child my father passed in 2005, I now have no family left. These past 2 years have been by far the toughest times of my entire life. Every day is like living through a Twilight Zone episode that you just want to wake up from, and waking up from the strange dreams I have now only to enter an even more bizarre reality just feels hopeless. Like there's no escape. I'm back now in her house which is also my childhood home, we moved here when I was 2. I don't know if this was the right choice. It's the last real thing here as a connection to my past once this is gone it's like I had no past or any history. Yet it is torture in a way being back here and it's just an empty house now. Makes it virtually impossible to move forward though I have no idea what that is or how it can be done. The emptiness and loneliness is overwhelming. And you don't come across people that can have any concept of what you're going through. All of which just adds to the sense of isolation and being completely alone and alienated. As someone said here you go about your day and see familiar surroundings, do the same mundane tasks yet nothing feels the same or as they should. Every day I wake up and the storm clouds come in and it's just like you're waiting out a prison sentence getting every day "over with". My mom was my foundation, my stability/the ground under my feet. My father was my great friend when sober but had a bad alcohol problem and they divorced when I was 18. My mom was always the one stable person I could always rely on my entire life. She always took care of herself and had more energy than I do. You worry as the years go on but she never had anything major beyond some osteoporosis which my grandmother had. Then in December 2020 she had a bad stroke. She didn't pick up the phone so I raced to the house knowing something was horribly wrong and she was in the hallway. Conscious, I had no idea what happened I thought she broke a hip. I got her into bed and against her wishes called 911 where they discovered she had a bad stroke. This was still the end of Covid so I couldn't go with her to the hospital or visit her there or the month she was in a nursing home which was awful. All she wanted was to come home, finally Medicare wouldn't pay out anymore so they released her home and I had to hire a 24 hour aide who was terrible and costing $340 a day. She could still talk and converse but her mind was scattered. Seeing her that quickly go from the person she was to bed ridden and incontinent was devastating. When they told her she would never walk again that was where I think she willed herself to go she only lasted 3 weeks at home and had to go back to the hospital where she went into septic shock and passed. The whole thing transpired in 3 months and poof she was gone. We had nothing sorted oungly depressing having no idea what happens now. I'm glad I'm not all alone on this topic,
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Tres33 Oct 24, 2023
I know you posted months ago, but I just wanted to reach out & see how you're doing. Your post really touched me. I lost most of my family too. Since 2015 my mom, dad, Godaughter Brooke, and recently, both of my younger brother and my older brother have passed. I was very close with both of my brothers so it's been tough. I do have an older sister but she's 5 hrs away and she refuses to drive anywhere out of her city. I visit her when I can. Plus, since she lost her daughter, my Godaughter, she's kind of gone off the rails mentally, so its hard to even have a normal conversation with her. I can't say I blame her for losing her mind considering Brooke was her only child. Anyway, I hope you came to some kind of resolve for yourself. Your story was so touching and you sound like a nice person. I really hope things have improved for you.
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There are many good suggestions and kind words here. I would like to add that your description of the sky looking different struck me as a post traumatic symptom. Yes you are grieving but there are obvious brain changes which leave you so isolated from the world even while in the world. It’s as if you were hit by a car and get up and act normally but are no longer really normal and no one who hasn’t been there can understand. You speak from a place outside. So please, please ,see a competent psychotherapist, agree to antidepressant medication, join a grief group and understand that this all takes time. It is also as if you are encased in ice and the melting can take a long, long time. Keep a journal of your internal experience/feeling of lack of feelings. It is as if there is someone out there who gets it.
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There are many good suggestions and kind words here. I would like to add that your description of the sky looking different struck me as a post traumatic symptom. Yes you are grieving but there are obvious brain changes which leave you so isolated from the world even while in the world. It’s as if you were hit by a car and get up and act normally but are no longer really normal and no one who hasn’t been there can understand. You speak from a place outside. So please, please ,see a competent psychotherapist, agree to antidepressant medication, join a grief group and understand that this all takes time. It is also as if you are encased in ice and the melting can take a long, long time. Keep a journal of your internal experience/feeling of lack of feelings. It is as if there is someone out there who gets it.
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Good Evening,

Yes, life does change as we know it. Oftentimes things remain the same for many years and then when the changes happen and you look around you see the everyday relatives you would call on the phone or go to their homes for the holidays are either deceased, moved out of State, divorce/remarried, etc.

The next generation, at least in my family, is not living like my generation--Sunday dinner, visiting, no sports on a Sunday, Blue Laws everything was closed.

Pastor Rick Warren said something so profound--he has YouTube Videos...he said exactly this, when the kids are out of the house, spread all across the country, spouse if you have one has passed, loved one's went to be with the Lord, "your Church family is there for you". This gave me such peace and consolation. While I have a large family everyone is all over the country. I am unable to travel due to mother's sickness.

You are not alone in this. You can make a family in your apartment building, on your street, at the Y, etc. You don't have to go to India to help people. There are people right under your nose.

My coffee pot and ham and cheese quiche are a big hit when I know it's time to have company. I keep it simple. 2 hours on a Sunday morning every 6 weeks or so. This really adds to everyone's life. One lady divorced, another recently widowed, one single and one with Dementia.

At different stages of your life the people are no longer there because of the life cycle. People do not die in birth order. But, there is always someone in need.

There are a lot of little one's in my next generation but I miss my dad and my Uncle who made everyone laugh at family weddings when he imitated Tony Orlando. You take the good memories with you and create some new one's.

I know it's hard but my grandmother had a saying, "you can't go back in life".

I'm glad you thought you could share this with all of us. This does happens but you are not alone...
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Funny, when I was younger it seemed like I was going to endless weddings. Now that I'm older it seems like I am going to endless funerals.
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If you still need anybody to talk to I’m here
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Thank you for sharing. I'm 37 and an only child, I've lost my grandparents, my parents, and three uncles on my mom's side. I don't know my dad's side. I have no family to introduce my kids to. I can't give them aunts/uncles. I can't call family and share the joy of my progress in life, or my kids' achievements, or invite them to holidays. Everyone I grew up with is gone, all their stories, all their influence, all those shared memories...gone. If I have another child, they will never know or be loved by my parents. It sometimes feels like "when is it my turn to go where they are?" I have amazing friends, but my history, my origin, is gone. I'm in a whole new life without the "restart" of being reborn. It's an emptiness no one can know unless they've been through it. The world seems false and foreign because your loved ones aren't around to help you feel anchored. I was thinking about my family members and how they all died early, and wondered what the point of their lives was. I guess the point is to be remembered and missed for what you were to others. As much as I miss and grieve them I know it's my job to touch others in the same way they touched me until it's my turn go. You will see them again, and as hard as it is, keep being a light to those around you. It's important to be missed because that means you inspired others. Life goes on and we are spirit, and we'll understand more when we're on the other side.
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I've lost both parents, three siblings, 5 nieces and nephews. Seems like all I've done is grieve. But I keep moving on.
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Tres33 Oct 24, 2023
Im so sorry you've had such profound loss. Sometimes life is just so unfair.
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I wonder if most of us go thru this… a hollow feeling .. I had 2 siblings, just me and my sister left . My father passed years ago, my mom in May…
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NeedHelpWithMom Feb 2023
Babs,

You could do a DNA analysis on 23andme.

They send a list of relatives. I have over 5,000 in mine. I reconnected with a cousin that I hung out with as a kid. His mom and dad were my godparents.

He lives in California now but planning to visit for French Quarter fest and we are going to reconnect with each other.
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Dear Nevertoheal,

God bless you because you have been through a lot these past few years. My daddy passed in 2020, my mom in 2022 and still am caring for my husband's 94 year old aunt with end stage dementia.
Then I had a sudden lost of my sweet puppy of 13 years completely unexpected.

The trauma and stress of caring for my parents contributed to my stroke and heart surgery. During the time my dad was in his end months my sister ( only sibling involved)had severe covid (2019)and was on a ventilator for weeks. Her long haulers symptoms after effects has changed her permanently and we are now estranged. She became so toxic, angry and abusive to me.

I need to recover and take care of me!
Yes, it's lonely for sure and makes me wonder about the future. I have a great husband but his health is declining.

All I can say is pray and take one day at a time. That is all we have. Try to sit outside each day and go for walks. Can you reconnect with old friends? I started some peaceful crafts and gardening. The goal each day is peace. Be grateful for your life!
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I also understand this iv lost my mum 2014 my sister 2017 my dad 2022 and i looked after him for 8 years with dementia and pancreas cancer till May 2022 now my brother been told he has 6 to 12 month s the grief is on going and you find yourself just feeling a little more OK and something eles happens just at that point you thought things had settled...I'm so sorry for your loses everyone, i totally get this I'm still living day to day wondering what next my brother is the longest person iv known 54 years my sister was the closest best friend, sister loyal kind and beautiful. My brother is the hardest worker and family man, my mum was Cuddly and warm hearted and beautiful my dad was firm strict and annoying at times but he was kind also in his later life ...my kids dad was a great decorater worker and money provider..they all had good intentions i love them all and miss them , I feel drained at times confused and heart broken sad angry down ..but I always smile and try to keep sane in this very very strange but wonderful world we all share ...sorry for all yor losses stay strong you are still here to help others God bless us all keep us strong to cope with this crazy life we all have, spread the love and kindness to those less fortunate.
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I'm so sorry to hear of your significant losses. I know you wrote this a while ago so I'm not sure if you'll even get my response but you're not alone. My situation very much mirrors your own. Loss of both parents, baby brother, Godaughter, friends. etc. Some of my losses are also that many family members are estranged from one another for various reasons. I live away from most of my family. My husband has dementia & our son is in college so I'm alone alot. I too never dreamed this would be my reality at 54 yrs old. I went from a huge, loud Italian family that used to have the biggest gatherings you can imagine to almost nothing except some phone conversations & texts. So, l feel your pain. I have no regrets for my loved ones that passed, as we were all very close. My living neices all fight w/ each other but l stay out of it & as their Aunt, they each know how much l love them. Anyway, l believe there's many of us lonely souls out there & l think it has to do with a whole bunch of different reasons. Anyway, l just wanted you to know you're are not alone. I hope you find peace.
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I am also 47. My entire family is gone except 1 brother, but feel he is gone too. He doesn't care about me and thinks only about himself. This is my first Thanksgiving without any family. My parents both left 1 year apart. I feel abandoned especially since I was the youngest. My brother has his own family but I am not close to him. He is narcissistic and pray for him. I am constantly doing things to keep me happy. I am the only one responsible for my happiness. God keeps me sane and focused.
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Ireland Aug 19, 2023
Angle75,

Thanksgiving week so many places are looking for volunteers. The need will be tremendous this year as inflation, the high cost of groceries and gas prices have all all increased. Your presence in he serving line may be the only kindness someone receives that day!

Ireland
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It's a February post, and I don't know that our OP has been back. I am wondering how it is going for you now, never to heal. I'm so sorry for all your loss. It's such a good question.
It is difficult to realize you are all alone in the world. At 80 I am, as well. Those I love, other than my children, are now gone. I will say that each of them enriched my life and made me stronger. My partner is still here but 2 years older than me, and he and I recognize and speak about the fact that at any moment one of us is going to lose the other.
The only way I know to go on is to have things you love. For me it is reading, gardening, walking, and --ok I admit it--trash on TV. I am not particularly social, so not one to join a knitting club, a church group, etc. But those do exisit.
I think you might consider a grief support group or workshop and would suggest a few hours of counseling with a licensed social worker in private practice to think of a way to move forward with some interests to keep you busy. Perhaps a humanities class. A second language?
I would concentrate in so far as you are able on the love and lessons you had, on how they enriched you. And again, I am so sorry for your pain. Life is sure a mix of happiness and pain.
You might even take up posting on Aging Care. We have have lived a few years have learned a couple of things. We perhaps can help others?
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I lost my entire family by the time I was 17. Been on my own since. It’s a strange life. Sometimes I realize how real it all is and I beyond sad. It’s a hopeless life. Wish I had more going on.. looking back it’s all a big why. Over the years my friend support system has also faded away. Please let me know if anyone would like to start a community for people like us to connect, support and belong..
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Tres33 Dec 2022
Would love to start a community group but l have no idea on how to initiate something like that.
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I know how you feel. Let me start of my saying I’m very lucky I have a lovely husband and 2 children. So not completely alone.
My Mum died 2 weeks ago. We had a dysfunctional relationship. She had MS and I cared for her in my young teens right up until she went into a care home in 2018. She became nasty in her last years and before that made some awful parenting decisions and I have basically always been the adult around my mum.
My aunty died in Dec 21 quickly from cancer, it was sort of unexpected. I expected her to live to be honest! That was the biggest loss for me. She was like my mum & was like a Nan to my kids. She also was the organiser of the family, the matriarch as they say.
Then there’s my Nan, she is the most beautiful soul to walk this planet. I’m so lucky to have her. She has terminal cancer ever since my grandad died in 2014. However, has far outlived her diagnosis. Thank god.
So now with my aunty gone, I look after her needs and make sure she has what she needs and run her to appointments.
It just hit me today that at 27 I am the adult to this family. Everyone else assumed I’d take the role as the new matriarch of this family, but I can’t fill the shoes of my aunty.
It’s lonely to think at 27 I have just one person left above me, my Nan. I try to make the most of the time we have left with her before she’s gone. Because when she is, there will be no one checking in on me & my husband.
Im just sad right now about this whole situation
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I found this post in a Google search looking to try to figure out what to do now.

The rest of the family struggles to maintain relationships in general and has no capacity to maintain relationships not in their immediate vicinity. I lost the 2 grandparents, mom, step dad, and oldest sister 2014-2019. Living away from my hometown I relied heavily on friends. Then the pandemic happened. I had 1 distant friend who met with me occasionally. I wasn't anyone's closest friend. Many of my closest friends were forced to choose who they would stay close to. Some turned me away and it was absolutely crushing.

I'm 30. I can be thankful considering that most people I meet in any remotely similar circumstances are barely getting by if they're not completely dependent on a family member. But I so badly want to form a peer relationship. Or even something close to it.

I'm trying to rebuild some semblance of a life. I've been trying so hard to work every avenue, being outgoing, reaching out to family, old friendships, new friendships, work relationships. I even went back to college to help. Maybe it's the pandemic, but despite unreasonably high effort in the past 3 years I've made 2 friends and ~3-5 good acquaintances.

When the pandemic started I saw this all coming. I was terrified and it went exactly as I expected if I'd put in no effort at all. If it continues as expected I'll be in a better place in 2025. I don't want to wait that long. It's so hard being purely self motivated for years on end

If I ever figure it out I'll be sure to check back in
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verystressedout Jul 2022
"I've made 2 friends"

The reality is, that even having one true friend in one's life is rare. So if you really have two - true - friends (not just kind-of friends), then that's wonderful. You'll eventually find friends to laugh with, have fun with. But a true friend who's there through thick and thin, that's rare and must be treasured - similarly, one must oneself be a true friend.
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While this is an old post, it just popped up on my feed and touched me beyond words. My parents both passed away a year ago and I'm in tears reading all of the heartbreak. All of your words remind me of the immense loss and the emptiness that I, and all of you, feel. I understand the OP's words about everything being different. Life is different, I'm different. I know I need to be social, but I don't have the desire or energy. Thank you all for your words and for being open and honest. Sending hugs to the OP and all of you.
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Cover999 Jun 2022
I'm so sorry. Thank you.

Hugs to you and to all as well and Blessings.
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This is the saddest topic in the whole forum. I feel for you all.
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I lost my only son, My Dad, My only sister and my only brother, my brother in law and both sets of Grandparent's all within seven years. My Mom and I are all that is left in our family. I feel completely empty.
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Clarkey Sep 2022
How are you at the moment? My family all gone. It's unbearable 💙😔
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Over the past 5 years, Death has picked off most of our friends and family, one by one.

I know what you mean about the sky looking different the morning after. My Dad passed at his home in January of this year, and Mom and I were his around the clock caregivers. I felt immediately as if there's a hole in the world where my dad used to be. And that doesn't really explain it either.

I haven't had time to grieve or process what I think, since I'm now my Mom's caregiver. I don't dare feel too much, because there's no time for me to fall apart.
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