|
Thank you so much for the advice all. I've only been able to check back here sporadically since last tuesday. I've just returned from my fiancee's home. I was struck by how many lives an event such as this affects. Hundreds came to the visitation, some of them people who'd never met Ryan (my fiancee's brother) in person, only through online contact. There are pages and pages of responses on the online entry of his obituary. From the very old to the very young, it will have an impact that is keenly felt for a long, long time.
Of course my fiancee's family is the most deeply affected. I myself did not know Ryan well, as I had only met him briefly on a small number of occasions. So I did the best I could to help my fiancee and her family, mostly in the way described above about doing little practical things around the house.
My fiancee is doing fairly well for herself, considering the situation. A large number of her friends have also been present, and we've all cried and talked together. She's back at school now, trying to get back into the swing of things a bit. Her house is a very sad place to be right now.
The more troublesome situation is with her parents, specifically her mother. She's a complete emotional wreck right now, which is entirely understandable. She's been crying virtually nonstop since it happened, and no one really knows how to help her. She goes from anger to despair to guilt at the drop of a hat. I suspect time will be the only thing that gives her any peace. We all just hope she can hang on long enough for that to happen.
I'm babbling somewhat here, it's been a long week, and I thought i'd give something of an update.
|