Friday, June 10, 2011

All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping on the hill.




My brother, James, always known to his
family as Jimbo


The title of my blog post today, "All, all are sleeping, sleeping, sleeping on the hill."
is from Spoon River Anthology (1915) by Edgar Lee Masters.



My aunt Billie, giving another party to one of our family members.
This was a birthday party for my daughter, Lucinda, in 1984.


My brother  Jimbo and me.  (I sure have a big head
in this picture! :~) )  He was 14 months younger than me.


Please forgive me for my negativity on my last blog and this blog but I am just going to share what has gone on in the past three days.  In my last blog I had mentioned some of life's aggravations and my last sentence was that I was going to drink some red wine.  The "aggravations" are nothing compared to what happened not long after I posted that blog. My sister called a few minutes later and told me our aunt Billie had died at the age of 68.  We had been expecting this but it still came as a surprise/shock to us.  My aunt grew up with us since we lived next to each other on a corner and also with grandparents next door.  She didn't have any children so my brother, sister and I became her children. She was always lavishing us with gifts and taking us places, this went on for decades! After I heard she had passed away the other night, all I could do was just remember those long ago times. And cry.

Yesterday I was getting ready for my aunt's funeral service and was almost ready to leave when my sister called. My sister was hysterical and told me my brother had died!  He had not answered the phone on Tuesday evening when my sister had called him to tell him about my aunt's death. My nephew had found him yesterday at his home. Not yet sure of the details, my aunt and brother could have passed away on the same day.

Needless to say, my sister and I were not able to attend my aunt's funeral.  I called my cousin to tell her why and of course she was shocked with this lastest news. 

We just have to make it through these next few days, I am concerned about my own health and that of my sister's.

To my dear blog readers, I will be back on before too long.  You know me, I can't stay away from my blog. ;~)

Thank you so much for allowing me to share this with you.

15 comments:

Clint said...

These are trying times, but we will focus on God and follow His leadings. We will understand it better bye and bye.

Shady Del Knight said...

Dear God, Cindy! This sequence of tragic events is too awful to believe. No words that I can offer are adequate to console you. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.

Cindy Ellison said...

We sure do go through trying times, don't we? This past year has been a particularly hard one. As I said last night, I am so thankful we are living near family. It's hard as humans to not feel sadness and miss our loved ones but we truly need to focus on God. Someday that dimly lit mirror will be crystal clear.

Sabine Gimm said...

I'm so sorry Cindy. Cannot say any word.
Greetings Sabine

Anonymous said...

So sorry for your loss, Cindy. Truly a strange set of circumstances with both passing simultaneously. Keeping good thoughts and prayers for you during the days ahead.
Anonymous aka Carol B.

Nova said...

*puh*....I am so sorry for you too ...unbelieveable. It makes me really sad and I hope you will survive the hard times very well.

My sincere condolences, may God be with you in the difficult hours.

Take care
Petra

Sara G said...

No words are enough but God gives us words. May He comfort and guide you and your family during this difficult time. Prayers and thoughts of you.
Isaiah 40:18-31; Matthew 5:4

Kathy Farmer said...

I lost my uncle on March 14 and my brother on March 19. I understand totally what you are going through, Cindy. And although neither death in our family was a surprise, because both my uncle and brother were in ill health, Jimmy's passing was unexpected. I still don't know what happened.

I think about my brother every day. I miss him so much that sometimes it takes my breath away.

I'll keep you close to my heart, Cindy. I am so terribly sorry to hear of your loss.

I love you, my dear friend.

Shady Del Knight said...

Cindy, just a late note to let you know that I am thinking about you and praying for you. My father died on Christmas day and, incredibly, his father also died on Christmas day. As you might expect, Christmas always brings me painful memories, but I find that pain turns to joy when I focus on others in need and share my love with them.

Patti said...

grieving with you my friend!

Crown of Beauty said...

Dear Cindy,
We may not have known each other long on blogland, but please know that the sympathies and condolences I send your way are heartfelt. I am praying for God's comfort, peace, and strength to surround you like a shield. May your health sustain you, and may the warm memories you have of both your aunt and brother comfort you in the days to come.

With much love
Lidj

Cindy Ellison said...

A few minutes ago I had one of the longest "comments" that I had ever written on here. I was writing to all of you above who had left comments. I tried to correct a typo when I was previewing it, I clicked on it and lost it all! I'm currently trying again. ;-)

Cindy Ellison said...

♥ Sabine, I know what you mean about being lost for words. Just the thought of your visit speaks more than words. You are so faithful in your visits and comments, I appreciate them very much! I am behind in visiting your blog, please forgive me. Hope things are going well with you. Thanks again, sweet Sabine!

♥ Carol, Clint and I often speak of how you are such a good blogger friend. We both appreciate your thoughtful comments. Thank you, Carol, for your thoughts and prayers. Hope things are going well with you!

♥ Petra (Nova) You are another faithful friend, I always appreciate your visits and that you took the time to stop by. Hope all the animals in your world are doing well! :-) Thank you for your concern, Petra. Hope you have a good weekend!

♥ Sarah G - The verses you sent me were very comforting, I looked them both up and read them. Yes, I needed those reminders today. Sarah, I know you have had some tough times, I admire your faith. You are a strong woman in more ways than one. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Enjoy your weekend!

♥ Kathy - Oh, Kathy, how I thought of you the other evening when I received the message about my brother! I had meant to write you a personal message but did not do it. I will always remember the shock/surprise when I read about your Jimmy's passing away. I called my sister, Patti, right away and told her the news. My brother had been in ill health, too. I know what you mean about "still not understanding it". I am having some of that, too. It appears my brother must have had a heart attack, he was found getting ready to eat. I can't help but want details, I know it won't change anything but I still want to know.

When I think of your brother, Jimmy, I always remember his smile and bell buttom blue jeans. :-) I love you, too, Kathy.

♥ Shady - It was such a nice surprise to receive your note that I was in your thoughts and prayers. My goodness, the odds of both your father and grandfather both passing away on Christmas Day! I can understand how Christmas Day can be sad for you. Sometimes Christmas Day is sad enough with the loved ones no longer with us and the memories associated with them. Yesterday I had already thought of my Christmas card list and the changes that will be on it this Christmas.

I am a reader of obituaries. When I read the obituaries right after Christmas Day, I can't help but ponder the photographs of those who passed away Christas Day and think about their families. Your thoughts and prayers are very appreciated, Shady! Have a peaceful weekend!

♥ Patti, I have been behind and not commented on your recent Facebook photos. They are beautiful as well as you! I did respond to your recent "Pray Right NOW" post and was happy to read later it had a good outcome. Thank you, Patti, for your concern. Hope you and Stan have a good weekend!

♥ Lidj (Crown of Beauty) I always feel that what you write is heartfelt, thank you so much for your sympathies and condolences. You have such a way with words, it is a blessing of yours and wonderful that you can share it with the world by blogging. I am doing okay, my sister, daughter and grandson came over last night. We had a good time and we were happy to see them. Take care, Lidj!

Love,
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Cindy, I'm so sorry for your loss, I can't imagine loosing 2 family members so close. There was a reason for you moving back home. Things will get better. I'm prying for you. All things work together for good, even when we thing they won't. God is with you all the way.
Love you Ginny

Fresh Garden said...

We all are here to love you, and support you.