I miss my relatives in India, especially my grandparents who passed away a couple of years ago...i wish i could see them one last time

I lost an uncle in September from prescription drug abuse following his triple bypass surgery. Although I haven't been close to him in recent years due to my own traveling and his increasing personal issues, I'll always remember him as the "fun" uncle who always seemed to have a frisbee on him when I was a kid.

I had another uncle (on the other side of the family, completely unrelated situation) who shot and killed himself in October. I didn't really know him at all... he, my aunt, and their two children have kept themselves pretty isolated from the rest of the family. I had no idea until after he killed himself all the problems that have been going on with their family. It's made me reach out to the older of my two cousins (now in high school -- I haven't seen him since he was really little), and, even though he hasn't responded to me, I'm hoping he realizes that he does have family out here who cares about him, his brother, and his mom.

Also remembering my grandmother right now. She died nearly a decade ago, but her birthday would have been in two days. She died in her early 60s to pancreatic cancer. I wish I could have spent more time with her.

Finally, I want to remember my grandpa who died 4 and a half years ago. He died of unexpected complications one night, but played 9 holes of golf the day before he died. Got to live life right up 'til the end!

RIP to all of our friends and family members. ❤ /Hugs everyone.

Thank you all for sharing your memories. It has been hard reading these and I admit I had to stop mid-day just so I could stop crying for a while. Tears are supposed to be cathartic though, right? And it is good to know there are others who understand what you are going through..

your story about your grandpa reminds me of my dad. He died almost 10 years ago. The day he died he had done most all of his favorite things. He had been hunting in the morning, then he came home and worked in his garden. He ate a bowl of homemade chicken soup (his favorite food on earth) then sat down in his chair for a nap> he never woke from that nap but I know for him he had had a nearly perfect day. If only he could have squeezed a fishing trip in there too!

: Yeah... as sad as it was to know my papa passed, it always makes you feel a bit better to know they got to do what they loved right before the end. Death always sucks, but you can't ask for a better way to go.

It was bittersweet too. When I got the call from my dad letting me know that my papa had died, I was in the middle of a crossword. I loved (and continue to love) crosswords because of him and my nana (who's still going remarkably strong at age 87! /Knocks on wood.) I turned back to the crossword and half-smiled, half-cried.

I feel like that is the perfect way to honor those we have lost; to continue doing the things we loved to do together, or because of them. When we do those things it brings their memories alive again. (:

All my aunts/uncles, have died, also dad and Ma! ~ too many of us now gone!! ~ Most times I can no longer even cry, the death toll far too high.

Hugs to you all. v_v I hope that your spirits are all lifted daily in some way and that the bright side of life shows itself often. I happen to cope with loss by pretending it never happened so I'll opt out of the sharing. Though that may be why my memory is scarily terrible. It's like the 'Click' remote, I swear. I've made myself forget so many times, I don't know how to remember anymore... ha. Anyways, you are all wonderful and this thread is beautiful. I hope it brings strength and comfort to you all. Moarhugs

and @ georgie my grandfather passed suddenly from a heart attack, he was left only for 15mins ( he was at his small holding with a friend trying to sort out his things ) it was big shock,

I'm very sorry for your losses, I cant imagine loosing that many people so close to you. You are a stronger individual then I.

Two years ago I lost my Grandmother, Sabra. It was earth shattering for me as I lived with her and my mom my whole life. I never had a father figure so my Grandma stepped up to the plate to help parent me. She had survived breast cancer twice, but when I was 17 going on 18 she was diagnosed again with cancer. The doctor told us that the breast cancer had traveled to her liver, and over time it was slowly taking over her bones. It was the most terrible thing imaginable to watch a strong and confident woman degrade before my very eyes. Yet she never complained, never once. She always said "To hell with it, I'm going to fight to the very end." She fought long and hard for a year, keeping her chin up at all times, even when she lost her hair she kept strong and would joke about how her head was "Fuzzy" as she put it. One the night she died the thing I regret the most if not being more assertive for once. She was terribly sick this night, so we called 911. Grandma said "Its ok, I'll be ok. You dont have to come in the ambulance with me, just follow behind and I'll see you in a minute." We quickly called my friend Kristen to drive us and neither me nor mom had our license at this point. We followed behind, prolly about ten minutes or so. We rushed into the ER.... Only to find them unhooking her. I was devastated. Completely distraught. The nurse told us that her last words were "I know there are a lot of things I have to do, and a lot of things I need to see my girls do, but I dont think I'm going to be able too.... But its ok because I believe in them." My heart shattered and I broke down into manic hysterics, my mom holding me. Kristen ran in at this moment, I could tell she was getting ready to greet Grandma but the look of horror on her face I'll never forget it. She ran back out to her car. She loved Sabra just as much as the rest of us. She was like her Grandma to. I regret not being able to kiss her good bye, or tell her I loved her before she went. Somehow I think she knew it was the end, and thats why she didn't want me or mom to go with her in the ambulance. Because I think she knew if we saw her pass... It would have been just to much. I always miss her, especially on Holidays because she always loved to go to the family gatherings every year. In fact I miss her everyday. I can hardly believe its been two years.

Whew.... That was really good to get off my chest.... I just cried so hard, but it felt good to type out. I have a pet named after her here on Subeta. A Legeica that will soon be Nostalgic, because she loved horses and collected carousels. She was an amazing woman and I will always miss her and always love her with all my heart.

I miss my great grandfather, especially around Christmas. He used to tell me stories of his youth and of war, his memory was amazing, he could remember such details. On his last Christmas, he gave his sister money to buy new lipstick. The sister asked, "New lipstick, why?" and he told her that when they were in their late teens, he'd once thrown her lipstick away and angrily told her it's not okay to wear any because she was still so young. And he still remembered it, and he was sorry he'd acted that way. He was a really kind person, and I'm lucky to have spent so much time with him at our summer cottage. :)

A few years ago, I lost my Aunt right before Thanksgiving. She'd had breast cancer a couple of times and beat it, but the last time it spread. Even though she lived a long way away from us, she was always a big part of my life. Every Christmas my Mom and sister and I go to the orchid house at the local gardens, because my Aunt loved orchids best (She used to raise them), and it feels... nice, I guess, to go see them. Kinda like we're visiting her in a way.

Aww, this is a good thread to remember the people we've loved and lost. We recently had a family reunion and after going around introducing ourselves (because there's like 50 of us and it's hard to keep up!), we spent several minutes naming the people who have moved on and "inviting" their memories to the party. Sad and heart-warming all in one. So with that in mind,....

I lost my mentor and good friend Becky 4 years ago, just before the holiday season. She died way too young from advanced lung cancer. She was my first sociologist instructor and took me under her wing and taught me so much. She was such a cheerful person, tireless friend, with the best stories in the world. I will always miss her.

My grandmother has been gone for several years now, but I still miss her at the holidays. I miss her numerous post-it notes scattered all over, her sharp retorts, long lunches together, her "I don't care what you think, I'm right" wisdom, and most of all our traditional Christmas cookie baking day. From frosted sugar cookies to russian tea cakes, it was the best tradition and I will always treasure that special time.

More recently, though not quite on the same level, our barn lost a fantastic horse. Rue was an 18 year old TB gelding who taught many of us there how to ride. He was my primary ride for my first year of riding and was SO patient with me! Such a sweetie and gone far too soon. He missed out on the retired life of nothing but green grass and dips in the pond. He will be missed!

sorry for your loss and pain hugs ...think this thread is an excellent idea! i would like to say to everyone that posts here sorry for your losses and pain hugs and lots of ❤ all around

lost my favorite uncle this year to cancer, miss you Uncle Rod❤ ... missing my dad my grandma and many friends that i have lost over the years!

In the last 20 years, since I moved to Las Vegas, I have seen a lot of loss. Not everyone was someone close to me, but it was someone who had an impact on myself or a family member.

The first year after my family and I moved here, my sister and her new best friend (who were 12 at the time) were crossing a street when a drunk driver hit and dragged my sister's friend 20 feet. She died the next day. The drunk driver got off on a technicality.

A few years later, my other sister lost a friend to Car Surfing, a stupid act cost her her life. It was 3 days before Christmas, and 2 weeks before her 16th birthday.

I've lost both my grandparents on my mother's side to Cancer. My grandfather was my favorite relative, such a great man. He passed away on Dec 21st (my birthday) 8 years ago. I have two Aunts (also on my mother's side) who are currently fighting cancer. My sister is currently undergoing tests to find out if she has cancer (she's 33). I've lost coworkers (and friends) to heart attacks.

I miss the friends I made as a kid, who I moved away from because I grew up in the military, most of all though. It was hard growing up and moving away within a year to two years of moving to a place and making new friends.

Losing loved ones is not something anyone wants to go through,and I am sorry for the loss everyone has had. This thread is a great way for us to remember those people, and think good happy thoughts. The holidays are supposed to be a happy time, but sometimes we are dealt a different hand. But to remember that person, is the best way to keep their spirit alive. The moment we forget those who touched our lives is the moment they are actually gone, and that is, in my opinion, a much sadder time.

I am sorry for your losses everyone..

I lost a few beloved ones over the years. My oldest sister died at the age of 39 this September. That G4 cancer was diagnosed at the last week of her life. It was not possible to help her. I was not able to say goodbye, I arrived too late. I still do not know how to tell her what my feelings were and are for her. With her I lost my family. It's seems unfair to the rest of my family, but she was the only one I was able to talk about my mental illness. Thanks to her I survived that long. She wasn't only a sister.. and she was my voice to the family.

She deserved to be happy..

My heart goes out to each and every one of you who have lost loved ones.

It has taken me several days to read this thread, and write something for it. It has been theraputic in a way, but do I post it or not.

I lost my mother just over a year ago to the very nasty Lewy bodies Alzheimers. In reality I had been grieving for her for at least 6yrs as the damn disease took her away bit by bit. She used to be a strong independent capable woman who had lived alone for 21yrs after my fathers early death.

She took over my life as I slowly had to take over hers, that was very hard especially as she thought there was nothing wrong and fought to keep her independence (and her car!). She became a danger to herself and others as the hallucinations became more real and more frequent. Hearing her scream at 3am that children were killing themselves or being butchered was distressing. She would send carers away, take the wrong meds, too many or none at all.

Finally I had to put her in a home, breaking a promise that she would die in her own home as my father had. The final straw was when she very carefully made herself a sandwich with 2 rounds of bread and a sheet of toilet paper. My heart broke. The next day I packed her an overnight case and took her from her house to the carehome near me and they took her in. I sobbed for hours. I had broken my promise, and felt so guilty for doing it, but relieved she was finally safe and well cared for.

When she died I felt so many mixed emotions, that I am still finding very hard to deal with. Relief, not for me but for her, that she was out of the torment of that disease...Please don't judge me. Unbelievable sadness, anger that she didn't know me and wasn't the mother I knew, guilt and total emptiness.

I hope all of you who are grieving find some peace and acceptance before the year ends.

I am sorry for your losses, everyone.

I feel blessed that this year I did not lose anyone close, but my best friend did. He lost his cousin, who was like a brother, and a week later his father. I never met either of them personally, but it pained me that it happened while I was away from the country. I wanted so much to sit down holding his hands in silent - he hates pity and mourning. He is better now, much less sorrowful, but I can still feel his sadness as Christmas is closing in: he could not be with his father last year and he will never be ever again.

Now I want to be out of character and give my parents a hug. I never hug.

My first Christmas without my dad. We lost him in May, when (at 93) he finally went to dance with my mom on the hills of heaven. He had been without her for nearly 11 years. One of my favorite stories is when he was posted in North Africa in WW2 flying sub hunters. When he knew he would be heading home soon, he sent my mom red roses and a note saying he had a special question he wanted to ask her when he got home. They were married in 1946.

Losing someone is a really hard feeling. I can truly say it's not something anyone expects to happen to them, even if they know it's inevitable. It happens to everyone... I lost my cat August 10th this year. I remember the date so well since he passed when my sister and I went away for a convention. He was around 10 years old or so, and he got so sick just out-of-the-blue. I still feel as if we could have done SOMETHING to help him. To save him, before we left. It's really still hard to believe how empty it is... I couldn't stop crying for weeks.

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of one of my dear friends. He committed suicide and I miss him dearly

The 16th will be the 4 year anniversary of my cousin's death. He died, at the age of 21, in his sleep after having an epileptic grand mal seizure which caused a massive heart attack. Him and I share a birthday, November 8th, and his passing left a huge hole in my family. We miss him every single day. It was especially hard to watch my aunt go through losing her baby boy.

My cousin's death kicked me in my ass, I left an 8 year abusive relationship, lost 90 lbs, became a manager and am so much happier with myself and life. I make sure that everyone near and dear to me knows how much they mean to me. :)