Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge A time of sorry and rejoicing

This is the post I have been dreading for a long time now. Any of you who really know me might know that I have an older brother with ALS ( Lou Gehrig's disease ). Anyhow, he passed away while I was on a photo shoot in Texas last Thursday morning. I got the call around eight in the morning that he had passed away in his sleep at my parents house. My parents, my sister and I have been looking after him for nearly seven months. I got him up every morning and put him to bed every night. I feel a great deal of personal sorry for all the family he left behind, however, I am happy for my brother because he is with God and his suffering is now over.
My brother was a medical microbiologist with a brilliant mind and a great sense of humor. He was unhappily married, but stayed because of his two children that he adored. His only solace was his guitar which he used to play in the basement of his house. The disease attacked his hands first, robbing him of his ability to play. It also attacked his feet and legs causing him to limp and then be confined to a wheel chair. Next to go were his talking and eating capabilities. He had to go on a feeding tube and have a breathing tube installed. Now the one thing this disease does not attack is the mind, it stays tack sharp. The frustration my brother had to endure just to try to communicate was almost unbearable to watch. He battled this disease for six years, the average life expectancy is only eighteen months.
We will be having a service for him next Saturday at my mum's church and I think then everything will really sink in. I am a bit numb inside but mostly I am happy for my brother and so very proud of him. My fondest memory of him will always be when he could still walk, he was down visiting from Ohio. He saw my Speedmaster and was watching me wash it and we were talking. I threw him the keys and said "go for it". Now , the disease had already set in and he had a slight limp, but he got on the bike with my helmet and leather jacket. Long story short, He is gone for around ten to fifteen minutes, my dad and I are starting to worry, when I can finally hear the pipes as he comes back into the neighborhood with the biggest sh%$#t eating grin on his face. God, that was a priceless moment!!! The next visit, he could no longer ride and really couldn't talk but I relive that moment alot in my head and that is how I will remember him. So anyhow, please say a prayer for him and our family this week and thank you for being part of my extended family.. I think now I am going to go take a ride and celebrate my brother's life... ride safe... Gordon

So sorry to hear the news about your brother Gordon. The memories you have shared are priceless and the way that you have chosen to remember him.

God Bless.

You and your family are in my prayers.

Gordon,
I'm comfortable enough with my kinder, gentler side to admit to shedding a tear for you and your family. I also know I suck at condolonces(sp?.) I'm not a religous person but respect those that are.... you now know that his torment is over and he's right as rain. My thoughts are with you and yours, hang in there bro.

Your friend,
Steve

Bless you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.

So sorry about your loss Gordon. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Bengt

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your brother and your family. That you carry him so lovingly in your heart speaks of the gift of brotherhood you shared.
May peace be with you.

I am very sorry to hear that Gordon. My thoughts will go out to you and your family.

Sorry to hear about your brother. Thanks for sharing, I know it was difficult. You and your family will be in our prayers.

Hey Gordon
I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
As you say, he's at peace now - just remember all the happy times you shared.
Ride safe mate.

You just wrote your brother's eulogy. It came from the heart and we all could see you were very fond of him. Please use some of that if you are strong enough to speak at his memorial service.
God bless your brother, you and your family.

Doug Farrell

Gordon, Your story was so moving. I started to reply several times but could not find the words. I still cannot. So sorry for your loss.

Gordon, My friend we have ridden together a few times.
I never knew about your brother. The thoughts you shared here with us were very moving and I could visualize your brother ridding the Speedy.
As the saying goes some moments are priceless.
My thoughts are with you, your brother and all the family.
Ride in peace my friend.
Mike

I have read this several times and didn't know what to write. Still not sure really.
I'm sorry to hear this, but I'm sure he'll watching over you.
My thoughts are with you.

Your brother will live on as an inspiration for others in words and memory. Thanks for the courage to share his story.

JH

I am sorry to hear of your loss, but take solace in knowing your brother was fortunate to have family like you who loved him so much.

Lord bless ya Bro. Thanks for the encouragement to all of us as you stepped out there and shared the love you had for your Brother with us and reminded us all sometimes the simple things mean so much to us, and to others.

Thoughts and prayers.
eddy

My prayer is that your brother has found peace and that you may ride in peace with your fond memories of him.

Amen,
I don't know what else to say,
Uncle Charlie

Sorry to hear of your loss. May God bless your family and help you to heal.......Angelis

Sorry for your loss Gordon. This story that you have told has said one thing for sure. Your brother was very proud of you also. Never forget that. God bless your family and friends.

God bless you and your family. I'm very sorry for your loss.

You have my deepest condolences.

Gordon,
I feel so sorry for you and your family, for what you've went through is truly hard.
I pray your brother found his peace and that you and your family always can celebrate his life.

Terry

My Sympathies to You and Your Family, Gordon.
No matter how much we accept the fact that we're going to lose a loved one, and no matter how much we prepare, the pain is like a hot knife in the heart. I feel good that you know where to find comfort and knowing your dear brother is now healed. Praise God! He's dancing on streets of gold right now (holding a guitar).

Gordon,

Take comfort in knowing your brothers suffering is now over, he sounds like a fighter.

Thank you for taking the time to share.

May God bless and comfort you and your family. Just remember you will see him oneday.

Gordon, thanks for deciding to post. It brought tears to my eyes. I don't know you but from reading your words, the thought that comes to my mind is what an honor if must have been for you to stand by your brother and help him during the past 7 months. And I will certainly say a prayer this week and Saturday for your family.

I'm sorry for your loss Gordon. It's not for me to say, but I have an image in my mind of him now without the shackles of disease, with a Speedmaster throttle twisted up to where it reads "patent pending" with that same grin on his face that you remember so well.

Peace be with him and you and yours.

some of us have lost family and some havnt. those of us that have, know to some degree what you are feeling. May God bless you and those you hold dear, cherish the ones you love and tell them everyday. take extra special care of yourself during this trying and confusing time Gordon!!!! be very careful not to get stupid !!!! its very easy !!!! so take care of yourself and pay close attention to those around you for signs. my thoughts are of you and your family today, my friend!!!!! it is as you said, he is with God now and has no pain.

Gordon,
You have my deepest sympathies. You, your brother and your family will be in my prayers.
Carl.

Gordon,

Sorry to hear about your brother's passing. It sounds like you cared very much for him, and did all you could to help him through this tragic disease.

I know you've been around the forum a long time, one of the original Speedmaster owners. In my 3+ years on the board it seems like you people in Georgia have something extra in your Wheaties. I just hope one day I can get to the Georgia Rally and meet you, Chy + Di, Larry, and the rest of the crowd. You really are an inspirational group.

Gordon -
You and yours are in my prayers. So sorry to hear about your brother.

Gordon, peace be with you and yours.
I kind of know where you're at. We just had a memorial service for my mother yesterday.

Speak at his memorial. Take a box of tissues, a glass of water, and have written down what you want to say.

But do it.

That's what a memorial is, it's a celebration of a life that touched your own. There will be songs, there will be prayers, the pastor will tell your brother's story from what he has gleaned from those who knew him.

But the personal stories, the cherished memories of those who loved your brother is what makes a memorial.
I can tell you have some.

So cry, laugh, and honor his life.

I'm adding your family to my prayer chain, if that's alright with you.

Gordon
Think about the people his life touched
I am sorry for your loss my friend and just remember he will always be there in your heart smiling riding that bike

"He ain't heavy, He's my brother"
Live on Gordon, Live on........
ModelMaker

Not to say I know what you are feeling but my life long friend Paul went through the same experience years back. His older brother Lou suffered the same disease and it was years of struggles for them and the whole family. I shared many a bedside days with Paul and Lou and witnessed first hand the reality of the disease.
I feel for you, your brother and your family and friends. I wish you all the best and will say a prayer for you all. So sorry!

Gordon, sorry for your loss. Fortify yourself with the good memories and the knowledge that now he is with his Saviour.

Thanks to everyone for their messages of support and condolences. If you hadn't guessed, my brother was someone I always looked up to and respected. He fought hard for everything he acheived, while it seems sometimes I slipped through life avoiding it's obstacles. I have faced alot in the last few years, but the love of my daughter, family and girlfriend have seen me through. This forum and my Triumph really help save my life when my wife told me she wanted a divorce a few years back... both gave me an escape and a place to release, if that makes any sense. So in this newest chapter of my life, I will look to Roy's (my brother ) memory for guidance and support and maybe work a little harder for the things I want to acheive.... thanks again to everybody who has us in your prayers and.... ride safe...Gordon

Gordo, my thoughts and prayers are with you buddy....he's in a better place, I'm sure you know....

Lee

Gordon,
Lynn and I send a great big hug your way. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.


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