August 2010 by DJ M.
Remember man as you pass by, for as you are so once was I, but as I am you'll surely be, so prepare for death and follow me. I said so long to my mother ten months ago and to my brother yesterday, I'm not sure if this quote is written exactly, but it came to mind and continues to circle through my thoughts. My youngest brother died years ago in a car accident, my mother died due to the negligence of the hospital she was staying in from massive stage 4 and above bedsores, but this brother, "Moose" we called him, had been suffering for years from type 1 diabetes. He's had heart attacks, toes removed, just two weeks ago he had two more removed, numerous eye surgeries, but none of this takes away the shock of getting that phone call. During the wee hours on Monday morning my brother went into renal failure, but only told his wife he was tired, yet restless and just needed to lie back down, by 11:30 in the morning he had passed due to a massive heart attack where his heart had imploded. He and my sister in law were childhood sweethearts and they were also each others best friend. She was used to him sleeping most of the day, for every good day that he had, he had three or four bad ones and the good days were getting further apart. He really took my mother's death hard, he was a great son, brother and friend. The Geisel Funeral Home has been used by my sister in laws family for years and she was comforted in how they came right out to the house and actually arrived before my brother's body had been removed from their home. The next morning the funeral director met with her and arranged for his viewing, final cremation and burial. The funeral home is so large with a large memorial chapel, many sitting rooms and lounges and two parking lots, they also have a huge welcoming lounge with tables set up for food and beverages. The only downfall that I had was they are grossly understaffed, during the three hours that I was there, there was no staff member or director there to answer her questions, if someone was there they were well hidden and the office was wide open. I have never seen a town with so many funeral homes, but Geisel is who my sister in law was familiar with and trusted, they were right there for her when she needed them. My brother Moose was 55, a great guy, the funeral home was over flowing with family, friends and coworkers. His heart was as big as he was, rest in peace Moose and no more bad days...
