We had only a couple of hours in which to see Dylan at the funeral home before the coffin had to be closed.
Everyone who could be there looked at his handsome face for the last time and left in tears. He was so young.

I stayed a long time, ruffling his hair and tellng him that I loved him and was not angry with him. His hair was the longest I'd ever seen it - he was growing it, it seems, for the first time.

After a while, I realised that I was still there because I couldn't leave. I couldn't leave him alone there without anyone he loved to hold his hand or whisper that it was all right, I'm here and you're safe.

This was a problem which I needed to solve. So I called Rob the funeral director in and explained, and he understood.

Dylan was never afraid of the dark as a child - well, a little, but he was very brave - so I kissed and hugged him for a last time, then stood by the door and said, goodnight Dyl, I'll see you in the morning, and Rob put out the lights, one by one, just on cue. I couldn't see Dylan any more then and quietly closed the door and tiptoed away, just as when he was a little boy.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Sat 25 Jul 2009, 9:14, 16 replies)

Tears first thing
in the morning. The first post I read makes me feel like crying. My heart genuinely goes out to you.
( Blind Meach Cautiously optimistic, Sat 25 Jul 2009, 9:24, closed)

Kinda puts everything into perspective
Thank you for sharing that Juan.
( buffet_the_appetite_slayer ٩(●̮̃•)۶ jacked in to the ICE on, Sat 25 Jul 2009, 9:29, closed)

Blimey
Not something you expect to read first thing of a Saturday with a hangover.

I suppose some might say it's the last thing you need- however, on further reflection (yes, this is an edit, what ya gonna do?) a bit of abject humanity first thing in the morning does put things into perspective.

It reminds me of this poem:

Mid-term break.

Such a sad poem.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Sat 25 Jul 2009, 9:58, closed)

Lovely poem, thank you,
hadn't seen that before.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Wed 29 Jul 2009, 20:25, closed)

Another post where...
..."I like this" is just plain wrong

*clicks anyway*
(Professor Kenny Martin Hmm? What?, Sat 25 Jul 2009, 11:02, closed)

Wow
Kinda caught me off guard did that. Beautiful story.
(eatmeat, Sat 25 Jul 2009, 11:22, closed)

Wow.
That was beautifully written. Thanks for sharing.
(purplegod counting down for Christmas!, Sat 25 Jul 2009, 11:53, closed)

Thank you. everyone, you're very kind, and I'm sorry for bringing your day down.
This was part of the little journal I kept in the weeks after his death. Writing things down sometimes helps.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Sat 25 Jul 2009, 13:03, closed)

Don't think it brought me(us) down,
I hope it's cathartic for you to know you will always have an ear/shoulder.
( Blind Meach Cautiously optimistic, Sat 25 Jul 2009, 13:17, closed)

That really is a beautiful piece of writing.

*clicks*
( Moey, Sat 25 Jul 2009, 13:05, closed)

Wow,
Clicked I like this but it feels wrong. Love and Hugs
(Obi wanker nobi Its not a bug, its an unexpected feature, Mon 27 Jul 2009, 11:01, closed)

Click
for telling this so eloquently. You have my sympathies.
( SpankyHanky, Mon 27 Jul 2009, 15:38, closed)

*click*
can't speak. will cry.
(EffinDoubt is breaking glass on, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 11:31, closed)

**Click**
I'm a grown man and if i cry at work i blame you


(only joking i wouldn't really)
(NuffMuff fucks shrubbery, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 15:26, closed)

Sometimes
when you're having a crap day, something happens to throw your life into sharp perspective. That's happened today to me. Thank you for feeling you can share this with us.
( Undercovercarrot got done for gross misconduct on..., Wed 29 Jul 2009, 10:01, closed)

Thank you
Such kindness from strangers, I'm really touched. Helps a lot.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:04, closed)