(no subject)

[furrbear]

Unimaginable Loss
12 May 2011

Comments

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

oh my god I'm so sorry

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to catch you unaware, Bill. I thought pretty much everyone knew. Come back, read the other comments. I would really like your opinion of the image.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I have no words ... Except, I am so very sorry ...

[envirobear.livejournal.com]

John, the photo is raw...and powerful...and poignant...and it's Dave. And it's Dave and you. It's the circle of life, and far too many people prefer to minimize these things and forget it as quickly as possible. There is a lot of humanity in that photo--in the entire series, actually--and if anyone is upset about it, then it should be learning experience for them. The path that was Dave's life was a difficult one, and he followed that path with great dignity, grace, strength, and love. You walked a lot of that path with him, and shared that great dignity, grace, strength, and love with him. I mourn Dave, but I am so glad that the two of you shared so much of that path together.

Love you, Bubba

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Dean. You interpreted correctly, I didn't post this as an announcement, I figured folks got wind of that Thursday and over the weekend. I posted it as a photograph, thus the different presentation style. As I mentioned when we spoke the other night, I would like the image be discussed in human terms; what it makes people think about, not the knee-jerk condolence.

Maybe this fall in CHI.

[budmassey.livejournal.com]

Just wow.

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know it's raw. Dave said I had an eye for photography, but I could never pose, only capture.

[madknits.livejournal.com]

This is the face of devotion.
I cannot even begin to imagine what you are experiencing, but this gives a glimpse.

You are still in my thoughts.

[lostncove.livejournal.com]

This, completely.

[sctmpls.livejournal.com]

HUGS

VERY powerful image!

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

It's really powerful, and a great shot. There is a work--a photo that many people read as a painting--by AA Bronson that touches on something similar, but I think I am even more moved by this.

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

you're thinking of this
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pLux_lA5KdU/TQ6MfKUH1xI/AAAAAAAAAIw/lcWjMyJgdck/s1600/aa+bronson+felix.jpg

I was actually working for them at the time, and what sticks with me most is what an unfailingly kind gentleman AA was.

But furrbear's image above has a kind of raw reality that takes me right back to being in his place.

[cipherpunk.livejournal.com]

Even in death, there is art. There's something hopeful about that.

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

Thank You, Rob. I'll try to get the questions in you email answered in a bit. There's no urgency.

[anziulewicz.livejournal.com]

That is such a heartbreaking image, John. Please accept my sincerest sympathies.

[blktalon.livejournal.com]

i'm sorry.

It show the lose that is universal, no matter what the relationship is.

[brunorepublic.livejournal.com]

*absolutely speechless*

[labeartorycub.livejournal.com]

John, I'm sorry for your loss. May Dave rest in peace.

[dendren.livejournal.com]

I've lived in fear of an image similar to this with Bob for so many years now. We've come so close to it so many times. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[mt-yvr.livejournal.com]

(hug)

Instantly back in the room kissing John's head good-bye. I mean... right there. So so sorry for your loss.

[furrbear.livejournal.com]

I was never out of the room. I was with Dave to the end. (I'm John.)

"I was awakened this morning by the phone at 5:30. It was one of the ICU nurses saying I needed to get over there. Dave had coded and they had his heart restarted, but didn't know how long he would last. I got there with about three minutes to spare, just enough time to hold him, entwine his fingers in mine like we always did, look into his eyes and tell him how much I loved him. I don't know how much of Dave was still there, but it looked like there was some spark of recognition. Then he was gone. I stayed there, kneeling over the ICU bed crying, smoothing his hair and beard, and even kissing his forehead for over an hour. He made me so happy for so many years, we planned so many more -- 53 was way too young. He always said he was the lucky one for having me in his life. I always had to correct him that he was wrong, I was the lucky one. There appears to be nothing they could have done, the endocarditis was too advanced and the heart muscle too weak."

[musicbearmn.livejournal.com]

I hug you, hold you, and affirm you for posting this picture. You and I have discussed my feelings on how we deal with death, especially as I have taken the Care in Christian Communities class this semester at seminary. I echo envirobear's words. I just wish I closer right now to be of more help.

[gryphons-hole.livejournal.com]

The images hits me with everything: everything you two had together in your lives, and everything that I am still missing in mine...

It hurts to see this and imagine the sheer loss, but it likewise hurts to think of never getting to the point where such a loss could hurt so much...

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

That is absolute tragedy and terrible loss, yet love shines through it completely.

I'm so sorry.

[kymutt.livejournal.com]

I am sittin' here fightin' tears, John. That picture...so simple, so poignant, so blindingly raw. I can't express that level of love in words, and I can only pray to some day know it myself. It only makes me feel . I know we know one another only a little, but I would like to help somehow if I can. Let me know, please.

-Nate

A Powerful Image

[darkphuque.livejournal.com]

I am sitting here crying. I have been there twice and I see the the reality that love knows no bounds; and I understand. I wish I could hug you and be there with you.

That photo tells me how much you loved him. I hope that somehow this is a part of a greater "wake up call".
Sorry... I am rambling, I just know I remember how it was. David is at peace and you will put your life back together.
I am so sorry for your loss.

[blackwingbear.livejournal.com]

My severe condolences... I cannot even put into words.... I'm so sorry.

[chronicpaint.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

[choochoo68.livejournal.com]

a lot more than a thousand words there.

HUGS

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

This breaks my heart.
It is great love.
It is great loss.
It shares everything with all of us.
It makes this moment eternal.

[mh58.livejournal.com]

I know what 16 years feels like and I know how devastated I would be if I lost Tommy. My heart goes out to you on your loss of a friend, a partner, a lover ...

[urbear]

Powerful. Distressing. It made me burst into tears immediately. Terrible and beautiful, simultaneously.