It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you all, that Today I lost my only Brother Art. He now rides that great Highway in the sky...Thanks so much for all your well wishes and prayers. By his bedside were his his 2 children, Mon and Dad, my 5 Sisters and Judy and I.... He went so peacefully.... Ride On Brother.
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Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Neil, I'm truly sorry for your loss. You and your family will continue in our prayers.
Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
Sorry for your loss brother...
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Very sorry to hear that, Neil. I'm glad everyone was there and I'm also glad he went peacefully.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
So sorry for your loss, Neil and Judy. I'm glad it was peaceful and that you had time together first. Beautiful pictures. Thoughts and love from the prairie child.
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Neil, I am really saddened to hear that. My thoughts will be with you and your family.
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Sorry to hear of the loss of your Brother Neil
Peace be with you....
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Neil...stay strong...and keep being you.
Your brother's influence, is part of who you are.. both now and in the future.
Don't turn bitter...but rather, stay loving from the heart. You will heal.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Neil - you wrote encouraging words to Jeanne and her family at the loss of her brother Jerry and now I have the opportunity to repay your concern for her by offering up prayers in your behalf.
Death is certainly a sad time, but to know that the passing was peaceful is reassuring.
Those great memories will always remain. May God bless you.
Over two years ago I lost my brother to cancer. I can't say that I know how you feel because I can't go inside you, but I have been there and share your thoughts.
[ February 04, 2009, 07:13 PM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Neil, I know how much I love my brother and what he means to me. I have seen what you written about your brother and it the same thing.
My deepest condolences on your loss.
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
So truly sorry, Neil.
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
Neil buddy, Im thinking good thoughts for you and your family and am truly sorry for your loss. God bless your hearts.
Posted by PatRaap (Member # 4290) on :
Neil, So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Hold on to those wonderful memories that you shared, and know he is in a wonderful place and at peace.
Pat and Dennis Raap
Posted by Susan Banasky (Member # 1164) on :
Sorry for your loss Neil.
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Please accept my sincerest condolances, Neil. Your brother will live on in the memories that you hold dear to your heart. Remember the good times you shared. I'm certain that your brother would like that.
Posted by Bob Peach (Member # 2620) on :
Neil, We are so sorry for the loss of your brother. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Neil,
I am also so sorry about the loss of Art, your dear brother. Your heart is heavy and I know you miss him so. My sister was lost to cancer years ago. She was only 43, a mother of 4.
I will cherish my sister and brother as you have reminded me again how precious life is. Please know he is in a much better place, I do believe. May peace be with you and your family as you endure this hardship.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Ahh, that's really sad news.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Neil, what a wonderful collage of photos. Thanks for sharing those here.
My heart goes out to you and your family.
sincerely, ~nettie
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Thanks so much everyone...my sisters have asked me to do the eulogy...it's going to be hard, My biggest concern is not for me, but Mom and Dad, Dad's 81 and Mom 76, and they are finding it rough...but they have my 5 sisters and me as well as numerous grand children around them... Art had great faith, and was close to his Friend who was also his pastor... reverend Darrel ...who had a sense of humor as weird as As Art's and I.
Thanks again it is appreciated.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Neil, you didn't ask for advice but I would like to give some anyway.
I've been asked to do several funeral services and the toughest are for family members and close friends. Since I am a very emotional person, it is difficult to say what I really want to without choking up.
My solution has been to write down exactly what I want to say and then memorize those words. Then not stray from those prepared words. The trick is to remove your emotions from the job at hand. Once you begin speaking from thoughts that come to mind you loose it...or at least I do.
None of this is to say that you should not be speaking from your heart, but your responsibility is to celebrate your brother's life and that's not easy to do if you fall apart.
You can "fall apart" at some other time. When you stand before friends and family your job is to bring them comfort and hope.
My apology for trying to tell you what to do, but it's really a tough job for me if I don't prepare well in advance. It's an honor to be asked to speak on such important occassions.
And I pray a lot, too.
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
So sorry for your loss Neil, my heart goes out to you. It's very obvious from your post how much your brother meant to you.
Paint up a nice tribute to him on your bike.
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Neil, I am so very sorry for your loss. The pictures are just wonderful. I'm praying for you all.
Raymond, those are great words of advice. I will remember them. I'm not a great speech maker in front of lots of people and I tend to wing it, so your advice really struck me as to where I was going wrong.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Sorry to hear that Neil... sounded like Art fought the good fight and lived life to it's fullest as I've followed the posts regarding his illness.
Thoughts and prayers with you and your family. It's never easy, I'm sure. Let the fond memories of his life and your relationship bring comfort to you.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Thanks Raymond for the great advice...I'm writing it out now..I've done a eulogy before and I agree.. you have to write it down. I just got through the first day of my brothers wake... it was a very emotional day as anyone can imagine. and even writing to all you guys and girls is soothing in itself....
Thanks everyone, this the hardest time of my life....so far.
Posted by Sam Staffan (Member # 4552) on :
I am sorry Neil,
This is one part of life that just has no good way about it.
I will tell you this.
Right now all the sad memories of your brother are fresh in your minds and it is a very hard situation to deal with.
But the mind is remarkable, and in time all of the sad memories of Art will fade to the back, and all the great memories will once again come forward.
.
There is no date, no time, it just happens.
I can laugh about my son and yes I still have a good cry. I always say yes I can smile and yes I can go on, but I will always have a broken heart.
Here are to things I found in the past that I had written down and pinned to my cork board.
Maybe they will help a little.
. Admitting that you are powerless in some situations is probably one of the hardest things you will ever do... but it's also the beginning of recovery. Just keep on believing and doing, One day at a time. . . . . .
. Through blurred eyes we find the strength and courage to soar beyond the moment. We look to the future knowing we can never forget the past.
God bless to you and all of your family.
Sam
Posted by Barb. Shortreed (Member # 1730) on :
Sorry to hear of your loss Neil & Judy please accept our condolences.
Posted by Miles Cullinane (Member # 980) on :
Neil, So sorry to hear of your loss
Looks like you two were friends which isn't an automatic things with brothers. So those memories will be a comfort.
May the Lord comfort you Neil.
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
Neil all I can say I echo Ray's comments ... been there and done that.
Seems to get more frequent the older you get.
Take strength from the friends you have here.
Posted by Catharine C. Kennedy (Member # 4459) on :
I'm sorry to hear of your loss- prayers & thoughts for you all-
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
So sorry for your loss, Neil, I genuinly feel for you and your family. May God give you peace and comfort.
Posted by Mr Curtis Dalton (Member # 7547) on :
Very sad news Neil. As you have written on all your posts "Keep Positive", even though I know it will be tough to do these next few days. Take care.
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
I'm really sorry for your loss Neil, its been a sad week around here.
I like Raymond can get choked up real easy, I remember when my dad died aged 63, me and my brother and sisters were going to each say a prayer in the church.
I went down the field and sat by the river saying the Anglers prayer over and over, got really sad, but made it through in the church OK.
Hope it all goes as well as can be expected.
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
Very sorry to hear about your brother Neil. What a a tremendous loss for all of you.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
My thoughts & prayers go out to you and your family,Neil. I lost a sister to cancer so I know it can be somewhat of a relief to know that your loved one is no longer suffering,but you still feel the loss. May God give you strength and comfort you during this time. Judy
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Thank you for all the Kind words of support, prayers, and advice. The service was beautiful, tears, laughter and wonderful memories... and Ray I did manage to get through the eulogy with out breaking down...this wasn't a funeral, but a celebration. I just have to get through the next few weeks. I'm going to miss my brother more than any words can say.
Thanks
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Neil,
Sorry to hear about your brother. I know from reading this board you have many great memories.
You'll be in out thoughts!
The Brown Family
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
Sorry for you loss Neil,Art will be riding the clear blue skies now.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I hope memories of the good times and happy days with him bring you through the sad times.
-grampa dan
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Oh Neil, I am so sorry to hear the news. My condolences to you, Judy and all your family. You will always remember the great times together, and he will always be in your heart.
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
So sorry to hear this Neil. Hope you you are, & will be doing ok the next few weeks too, they may be the hardest.
Be blessed Brother.
Posted by Bevin Finlay (Member # 2159) on :
Neil; I have been away from the board for a while and am sorry that I have not responded to your post until now. Please accept my sincere and deepest sympathies to you and your family at this difficult time.
Bevin
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Thanks.. it is appreciated. It's really weird you know.. I expect an email or the phone to ring and hear his voice on the other end... it will take some time..
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
i'm so sorry to hear of your loss neil.
Posted by Jean Shimp (Member # 198) on :
Sorry for your loss Neil. As a believer, take comfort in knowing that you will be reunited someday. For now, he is in a better place.
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