Wednesday, July 21, 2010

An Explorer's View of Life... and Death

Did you know Barry?

He was a blogger, a connection, friend to many. He shared his life journey, stories about his beloved dog Lindsay, and, more recently, his experiences with cancer. He was honest, warm, realistic, hopeful.

I'm heartbroken by that word, was. I've learned that Barry died yesterday.

He was my dad's age. The same sweet kind of man, with a parallel story of cancer.

Barry had been a voice of comfort as I dealt with my dad's struggle; even as he struggled on his own, Barry offered me support and hope.

News of his loss has me snuffling and crying and heaving. Because Barry's gone, so sad on its own, and it reminds me so sharply that my dad is gone. That hurts.

My thoughts and prayers are with Barry's family. He will be missed.

I hope Barry and my dad are in the same wing of the same place, that they might cross paths. They'd be friends, I know, and that would just be really cool.

To see a bit of Barry's legacy, visit his blog.

28 comments:

MedSchoolWife said...

That is very sad and painful, indeed. A close friend of my husband's family also just passed away due to cancer a couple of days ago -- he was only 20.

It's heartbreaking.

JLC said...

This (and the last post on his blog) has brought back those knotted feelings. *wipes tears* I LOVE what she said about his 'battle'. The cancer is dead, he won. And he continues to live in the memories of all the lives he has touched.

That is a wonderful way to look at it. It gives me a new perspective of my mom's death.

I also noticed his post on 'flying'. Very apropos.

Thanks for posting this. Wish I had known about his blog before now. He seems like a great soul. (present tense intended.)

(hugs)

Glynis Peters said...

A sad piece of news. I send my condolences to all who knew and loved him.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Janna -

I'm sorry about your blogger friend's death. When someone touches our life, even online, their departure affects us.

May the Lord continue to lead you from your own valley of grief into the sunshine. It will happen. I know because I've been there.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Lydia Kang said...

How sad, and I had not had a chance to meet him or his blog. I envy the time you had to be his friend.
Hugs,
Lydia

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Barry's was one of the first blogs i found and followed. I felt like I knew him all my life.
I'm really going to miss having coffee with him an dLindsay.

Patti said...

It's always sad to lose someone close to you. Sorry for your loss.

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

Bunches of hugs go out to you on the loss of such a wonderful, comforting and supporting friend.

Deb Shucka said...

I'm so sorry, Janna. May you find comfort in his words and the possible friendship of these two great men in the beyond.

Terri Tiffany said...

Oh Janna, what a comfort he must have been to you and to think he is gone now too. I am so sorry for his family as well. I will go to read his blog now.

Kathryn Magendie said...

:-( . . . it's been such a sad day. Grief is so very personal, isn't it? *sigh*

I am sorry about your daddy - *hug* - I know how this can make these things feel more acute.

Tana said...

Oh that's so sad. I lost a friend to cancer two months ago. It too was heartbreaking. He left behind two teenage boys and a beautiful wife. Sorry for your loss!

magicdarts said...

I lost my Dad and brother to cancer so I know that pain and despair-

in recent times, one of the well known writers on the dooyoo review site succumbed to cancer, and he provided the inspiration for my online fundraising journey - which continues stronger every day - bless you for remembering your friend so beautifully

Angie Muresan said...

I am so sorry. I hope he died knowing how loved he was by all the people his blog had touched.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear your sad news. My thoughts are with you, and all Barry's friends and family.

*Sending hugs*

Karen said...

Jana, I'm sorry to hear about that. Blessings

colbymarshall said...

So sad. *hugs and best wishes*

myletterstoemily said...

i'm so sorry for your loss, another
loss. sometimes i think that life
is just one death after another.

but then i hear a child's laughter or
see a beautiful rose and remember
that life is life, too!

i pray you will be surrounded by
loving friends and family.

Nikole Hahn said...

I am sorry for your loss. This is my first visit to you and the first I've heard of Barry. Upon reading your post, I almost cried. Some blog posts move me, but few get me close to wanting to shed a tear or two.

Unknown said...

Very sad, how very sad. I never met him but I will certainly visit his blog to see something very special. Heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing.

Angie Ledbetter said...

...and I hope my dear Mother is with them too, having an I-battled-the-demon-cancer-heroically party.

Tabitha Bird said...

Oh, so very sad. How wonderful that Barry leaves us with his words. :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

That's so sad. I often wonder how we'll ever know if something happens to one of my online friends. What if their family doesn't think to post anything?

Barry was apparently 16 days older than my dad. *sniff*

Jessica Nelson said...

I didn't know him but I'm sorry to hear this. :-( *hugs for you and his family*

Anonymous said...

Janna, I am so very sorry. You are in my prayers and his family will be as well.

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oh, Janna. OH. I weep with you, my dear sister. And right on the heels of your dad's leaving this earth.

I'm hugging you, honey. Love you tremendously, I don't care what they say about ly verbs!!!

Love
Jen

graceunderpressure said...

I thank God that He has sent the Comforter to us... (((( HUGS ))))

septembermom said...

So sad to hear of this loss. I pray for the comfort of his family and friends. I'm going to visit his blog now. I wish I "knew" him like you.