Saying Goodbye

[BentonGrey]

Howdy guys, this is another one of those things that I don't usually post about here...it seems as if there have been several of them lately.  Anyway, one of my very closest friends, a man I grew up with named Justin, has been fighting cancer for the last two years.  It seems that he is finally losing the battle.  He's been told that he has a few days left, so I'm going down to the Coast to say goodbye.  Justin is the finest man I've ever had the privilege to know, and I've had the extreme honor of calling him my friend since we were just kids.  He was a fireman and later a chaplain in the Air Force, and the government has denied his life insurance policy for reasons that are very unclear.  I'm posting this here to let y'all know that I'll most likely be out of touch for a while, and to ask those of you who  pray to do so.  The situation is extremely difficult.  He has suffered more than I can even imagine, and endured it all with the type of bravery that defies adequate description.  Please pray that he can find peace and that his wife will be comforted.  Thank you friends.

For those of you waiting on something that I've promised, I apologize.  I won't be able to work on anything for a time, even if I can post here occasionally.

[Uncle Yuan]

Benton,

My deepest condolences, and my deepest respect for choosing to spend this time with your friend.  To embrace a loved one as they die is a remarkable act of courage in itself.  May you all find peace.

UY

[John Jr.]

I'm sad to hear that, Benton.
I'm sure your friend will really appreciate your gesture and like Uncle Yuan said, we hope all of you can find some peace.

[Alaric]

My deepest condolences, as well. May things go as well as they can.

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

That's dreadful news Benton, my deepest condolenses.  I'm sure your friend and his family will appreciate your being there for them through this. 

[abenavides]

Sorry to hear about your friend, Benton.
I unfortunately, have a lot of experience with situations like this, so if you need to just vent, feel free to PM or email.

[thalaw2]

Deepest condolences.  It shows that you have great character as well to go and spend time with a friend in such a situation.  Our prayers are with and your friend and FFR will be here when you get back.

[AfghanAnt]

Oh Bent, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I am not a religious person but I will pray that your friend finds peace.

[Dr.Volt]

Hey, Benton.  Certainly I will pray for that.  Peace be with you.

[BlueBard]

Godspeed.

[lugaru]

Sorry to hear that and swing on bye if there is anything we can do for you.

[oldmanwinters]

My condolences to you regarding your friend.  He sounds like he's a really great man.

[bat1987]

Condolences. I`m sorry for your loss.

[Blkcasanova247]

You'll be in my thoughts. Take good care of yourself and know that we'll be around when you need us.

[WyldFyre]

I am sorry to hear about your friend.  He is a real hero. And so are you my friend. Peace be with you.

[Thunder]

All my thoughts and prayers go with you.

[herodad1]

GOD has open arms for him benton. he'll be at peace finally. praying for you too bud!

[BentonGrey]

Thank you all for your prayers and support.  He's gone now.  He became too ill to get home, which has been another hardship, but at least it's over.  Now we have to prepare for the services.  After all of his struggles, it is good to know he's at peace.

[chuckles]

I'm so sorry for your loss BG. My prayers are with you, and his family.

[Podmark]

I'm sorry for your loss Benton.

[crimsonquill]

Sorry for your loss, Benton. I'm glad you managed to spend time with him while you could and he is at peace now.

- CQ

[BentonGrey]

My friends, I am back, and the events of this last week are the most horrible I've ever seen.  My friend died, and all of us, a very close group of friends, came to the Coast to mourn his loss.  However, from the first moment we were there, we found ourselves thrown into the middle of a battle between his widow and his mother.  We did our best to keep the peace until his funeral, and were shocked when, that night, the mother threw his widow out sometime around midnight.  We did our best, tried to do what we thought he would have wanted us to do...but this has been the ugliest few days I've ever lived through.  I'm back, but utterly exhausted in spirit.  We said, many times this last week, that our friend would have been so disgusted with all of the things surrounding his death that, if he had been there, he would have walked out of his own funeral.  So...I'm back, but I'm still reeling.  I'll be around eventually, but for the next little bit, I don't think I've got the focus to do anything.

[John Jr.]

Great to have you back, Benton.
Just take your time and think you and your friends made everything you could. Maybe your friend would be disgusted with the things you saw, but he would be happy if he could see the kind of friends he had and how you fought to do what was right.

[Cyber Burn]

I'm glad you're back Benton, I'm sorry things didn't go so well, I wish I say something really profound that would make everything alright. Hopefully time will help his family work things out.

[Tawodi Osdi]

I feel for your loss, and I feel for your frustration with the widow and the mother.  Pain and loss doesn't necessarily bring out the best in people.  More frequently, it brings out what is true of people, but it sounds like you handled it the best way possible and remained diplomatic about it though it can be tough being diplomatic when you have your own grief to work through.

[oldmanwinters]

Dude, that is such a tragic tale about the family spat.  It's just so hard to imagine why some people react so selfishly when they're supposed to be honoring their fallen friends and family.  I really do pray the good Lord can soften their hearts and bring them to repentance in time.  I never knew your friend, but even I'm upset to hear how the funeral of such a great man was ruined.

[Spe-Dog]

I think that we have all been through or seen family trauma like that before and I am so sorry you had to experience it on top of the loss of your dear friend.  Take care, sir, and know that we're always here for you.

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

You've had some really terrible news reecently Benton.  My condolenses on your loss, and come back to the boards as and when you feel up to it.  We'll provide whatever support we can for you through this.