Comments on: Losing People, Compass in Hand

By: Nancy Mueller

Nancy Mueller — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 23:16:55 +0000

Oh, what a hard story to live, let alone write, Tele, but I do believe your writing will carry you through to the other side of grief. I’m so sorry for B, for you, B’s family and friends. You have a great heart, my friend. Obviously, B knew that, too. Take great care of yourself – and keep on writing in your beautiful voice . ..

By: Tele

Tele — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 07:04:08 +0000

Oh, Jazzmine… I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I wish you were celebrating your brother’s birthday with him today, and I wish he was by your side, warm and thoughtful and true, for you to turn to. You’re absolutely right that you’ll feel his loss for the rest of your life. I hope you also feel his presence, the inspiration and lessons he shared that are forever yours to carry. I hope that someday maybe the special memories you have will outweigh this pain. Until then, I hope you keep putting one foot in front of the other – and PLEASE let someone know if you don’t feel like you can keep doing that. Your family, friends, me… We’re all here for you, and each other.

Sending big hugs, from my state to yours. Be safe and be well, sweetie.

By: Jazzmine

Jazzmine — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:05:21 +0000

Tele,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. It has helped me to keep a bit of a grim smile on my face these past weeks. I applaud you for being able to keep enough of your mind together through this to be able to write something so touching.

I’m going to feel the pain of my big brother’s absence for the rest of my life. I’m going to miss hearing, “Right on, Sis!” and, “Oi! Whaddaya doin?”, hearing his laugh and the silly sound effects he’d make when snatching something off of a table or anywhere… I’m going to miss just talking with him and his reminding me to be level-headed.

All of my life, I’ve looked up to my brother for inspiration as to who I should be.. but now I feel lost and more alone than I’ve ever felt before.

Right now, I’m doing my best to keep one foot in front of the other.

-Jazzmine, Ben’s “lil Sis”

By: Graham Milne

Graham Milne — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 19:03:54 +0000

Well, you do say on your masthead that you are trolling for truth. The search for truth can often take us to dark, uncomfortable places – but sometimes that is where you have to go. Everyone who reads you is lucky that your way with words still makes looking into those darker corners a beautiful experience.

By: Tele

Tele — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:49:15 +0000

Amber, thanks for stopping by here and leaving your memories. Hearing your voice means a lot. I can relate to that awkwardness of running into people… I only end up on the Ave about once or twice a year, but it feels like being in a place from a dream – somewhere that feels familiar, but in almost unrecognizable threads and wisps, and if I actually do run into anyone still out there from way back when, it’s a little heartbreaking.

I’m so glad that you’ve got B’s laugh with you. Big hugs to you, sweetie.