One Family Ritual...
...that we've seen far too much of the past few years is coming around once again. My brother died a little over a week ago. We'll be carrying him into the Crem on Monday.

He had a cardiac arrest a few weeks ago and never regained conciousness. He was 38. When I was born, I was the youngest of three brothers - now I'm the last. I've yet to fully get my head around that, and I can only imagine how our Mum feels.

He's featured a few times in my posts over the years, and I'd like to share a few with you all.

His worst girlfriend ever
His best girlfriend ever, or at least how they met
His appalling spelling
Him stopping me from becoming a human torch
His attempt to get me laid at age 11
Acid-fuelled hijinks featuring me, him and his mate Ste

As you can probably tell, I've not always had kind words to say about him, but we've always been close no matter the level of silly buggers he was playing at any given time.

When you're out this weekend, neck a shot or take a toke (or both if you have the opportunity) for our kid, as I and a few of our friends will be.

I'm gonna miss him. Every day.
(thatblokeoverthere not quite as much an arsehole as I thought, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 11:58, 17 replies)

will raise a glass, bud!
Sorry to hear it, dude.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 11:59, closed)

I'll have a few for him
Times like these words can't express enough.
( snee held his breath since, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 12:03, closed)

Thoughts with you...
...will do both.
(Tugnut I got them all..., Tue 25 Nov 2008, 12:15, closed)

I will indeed
do both.

Thoughts with you fella.
( Boss Keloid Got your mother's maiden name tattooed on my arm, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 12:22, closed)

Very sorry to hear of your brother's death.
I will certainly have a drink for him.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 12:43, closed)

...
I'm really sorry to hear of your loss, hang in there.
(The Empress it seems you CAN polish a turd!, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 13:02, closed)

Damn
Sorry. That's awful.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 13:05, closed)

If it matters...
Sorry to hear that. A few of your stories remind me of my youth in the North-East. I'm the eldest of three brothers so my heart goes out to you mate.
( elgordo, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 13:27, closed)

Here, here.
Sorry to hear it.
(ShitBitch, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 14:00, closed)

Consider it raised!
Sorry to hear of your loss..
(Beer Elf Thought this was like a campfire, anyhow, on, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 15:01, closed)

I'll raise a glass to him.
May he rest in peace.

x
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 15:41, closed)

Consider a glass raised.
Take care.
( Mike Fishcake teamfishcake.co.uk - better than your mum's face, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 15:51, closed)

Sorry to hear that
*hugs*
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Tue 25 Nov 2008, 17:42, closed)

Raised it is!
Thoughts are with you and yours.
(goorf, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 18:22, closed)

Absent Friends...
...here's to them. I'm raising my glass as I type.

There is never a good time to lose a friend, much less a brother. My thoughts and sympathies are with you, your family, and all who knew him.

Reading those tales; well, he had a few character features that seem less-than-stellar, as do we all; but in my opinion these are well outweighed by the fact that not everyone would jump down a twelve-foot drop to help someone in bother. The consequences if he'd landed badly (from a height of about two tall men), are all too obvious, and things wouldn't have ended well for either of you.

PS: But you already know that. I'm just trying to say that the world is the poorer for his absence. I'm not going to spout some hippy bollocks about how 'as long as you remember him he's never really gone'. I don't think that's what you want to hear right now. All I can say is that I hope the pain fades soon; if you realise you haven't thought of him for awhile don't feel guilty; and I think rather than mourn a death, it's healthier to celebrate a life.

I can only apologise if this post is even slightly rambling, incoherent, and schmaltzy. While I have been fortunate enough not to know your exact suffering, some parts have struck a chord and I'm a little emotional myself. Take care.
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Tue 25 Nov 2008, 21:30, closed)

Tonight...
I'll raise a glass to him.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 26 Nov 2008, 13:27, closed)

Before the QOTW is closed...
...I just want to thank everyone for thier kind words here, and for joining me in a toast to my big brother.

As I've said to one GAZzer this week, it means a lot to me that there are people out there who have time to give a fuck for the misfortune of a total stranger.

Thank you all. Here's to our kid.
(thatblokeoverthere not quite as much an arsehole as I thought, Thu 27 Nov 2008, 8:51, closed)