It’s the first Friday of the month, so I’m linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date! Sadly, we just received news that my husband’s brother, Charles, died. I couldn’t just go ahead and write a lighthearted post, but on the other hand I don’t want to make this post too heavy either. Let me explain…
Charles was an eccentric man, and in later years had become reclusive. My husband visited him occasionally, but the rest of us never saw him. When she found out he had passed, my daughter said “Oh no- I was hoping to meet him someday!” All this is to say, the only person greatly affected by his death is my husband.
Charles was much older than my husband, and was a father figure to him when they were growing up. The family dynamics are complicated, but any way you look at it, it’s hard to lose a family member.
But life goes on! While giving my husband all the support he needs, the rest of us are carrying on. Here’s what I’m looking forward to this weekend:
- NOT WORKING. I always work Saturday mornings, but then have the rest of the weekend off. Two Sundays ago, I went in to work to pick up a few extra hours. I really didn’t enjoy that, and vowed I wouldn’t do it again. But then last Sunday someone really wanted me to come to her house and give her and her daughter a massage. I couldn’t turn down two private massages, so I did it. But seriously. This Sunday I am NOT WORKING.
- FOOTBALL! So much football! Starting tonight (Thursday) with KC and Mahomes, then the second Baylor game on Saturday afternoon, and continuing Sunday afternoon with the first Dolphins game of the season. In honor of the occasion I’m going to get out all my football decorations (why are they not out yet???) and make a fun charcuterie board for the Dolphins game.
- RUNNING! I’m continuing with my every third day running schedule, and so far, so good. Saturday is a running day, woohoo!!!
What are you looking forward to this weekend?
As you can see, I have not fixed my blog issues yet. It won’t be this way forever! (OR WILL IT? Just kidding. I’ll fix it soon.)
49 Responses
So sorry to hear about your BIL. Even if you were not close, it is hard to see your loved ones (hubby) feeling down! My parents have had three of their neighbors (and close friends) pass away in the last few years and it is rough. They live in a small community and were all close and now there are gaps in their life. It’s hard to watch them suffer.
I am looking forward to exploring Buffalo! Unfortunately it is supposed to rain this afternoon, but hopefully the morning will be clear enough to get a good walk in! Then I will be in Toronto next, and I’m looking forward to that too!!
Ooh, I’ve never been to Buffalo (but it features prominently in the book I’m readying right now, interestingly.) I hope you have fun.
Yes, having people die is just kind of… depressing, even if they aren’t super close to you. Sigh!
Oh Jenny, I’m sorry to hear of your BIL’s passing. I totally agree, losing a family member is always tough, no matter how complicated the relationship is. Hugs to everyone.
That said, I’m also looking forward to another football-enhanced weekend. Go Hawks!
Yes, I read your post! Sounds like you have a fun game tomorrow. I’m going to try to watch it (if it doesn’t conflict with the Baylor game.)
I’m sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I have a sister who is odd and also very reclusive. My boys barely know her and we don’t really keep in touch. But like you said, it’s still family.
Enjoy your free Sunday! I’m looking forward to tucking into some football as well, but first Hype Fest!
Thank you Wendy.
I can’t wait to hear about this Hype Fest! Have fun.
Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law! Sounds like a complex dynamic, but still, as you said, it’s always hard.
I’m excited for football to be back too! I don’t think I follow to the same level as you, but I definitely try to catch all the Packers games (they kick off tonight in Brazil! Weird, but kinda fun?) I watched a bunch of the KC/Ravens last night- I had it on in bed at the end and fell asleep with like 1-2 minutes left! When I woke up I had to google to see if somehow the Ravens pulled off a last minute TD. Nope. haha.
I also couldn’t stay up for the whole game- especially since it was on so late EST. It was a good one!
I have a love/hate relationship with the Packers. Since I’m from Chicago they’re our rivals… but my grandfather was a huge Packers fan. So, I’ll root for them as long as they’re not playing the Bears. I’ll watch their game tonight (Brazil? Well, okay!)
I’m so sorry to hear of your BIL’s passing. It must be hard for your husband, I think it’s especially hard when dynamics are complicated and feelings are complex.
What am I looking forward to? The girls are coming over this afternoon. The weather is GORGEOUS so we’ll have drinks and snacks and girl chat out on my deck. I love hosting people and a little afternoon get-together feels perfect. Then I’m hoping to watch some of season 2 NYPD Blue! Other than that, everything is as usual – gardening, maybe a bike ride, I don’t know what else. I have a ton of local apples so I’m going to make the guys an apple crisp which I do out of love – I HATE COOKED APPLES. I bought myself a little container of vegan cookie dough ice cream, so I’ll indulge in that as they eat the apple crisp.
Thanks Nicole. It’s true- sometimes it’s harder when the relationships aren’t as good as they could have been.
Sounds like a fun weekend- that apple crisp sounds good! Maybe I’ll make something like that for the family (I also don’t care for cooked apples.) Enjoy your girl time this afternoon!
I’m sorry to hear about your brother-in-laws death. It’s always hard to lose a family member. We had a complicated death in November of 2020 when Phil’s brother died. He was 40 so very young. He has mental health and substance abuse problems. It was of course a complicated time in the world since it was peak Covid and I was 9 months pregnant. Yeesh.
Ok sad topic aside, I am glad running every 3rd day has been going well! It will be nice and fall-like here this weekend then next week it will be in the 80s and even the 90s!! We watched part of the KC game last night. Paul is getting more into football so he watched the first few plays and then we forced him to go to bed which he was NOT happy about!
Thanks Lisa- the situation with Phil’s brother does sound very sad. 40 is way too young.
I know- that game was on way too late. I can see these nighttime football games are going to be a problem with my bedtime. Luckily the Dolphins play on Sunday afternoon this week!
Sorry to hear about your brother in law! It’s always tough to deal with the loss of a family member even if we weren’t that close to them.
I am not a football fan (sorry!) but I am looking forward to my run on Saturday as well! I only have a few more longer long runs before I taper for my next race, which is crazy because it feels like I was just tapering for my last race!
Yes, it does seem like you were just tapering. But, time flies. What race are you running? Tell me so I can live vicariously (sigh.)
Canyon de Chelly 55K on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona! It’s 5 weeks from tomorrow…eek! This is the first time I’ve attempted to do three races so close together, and I signed up for what will hopefully be my first 100K that’s only 3 months after my upcoming race.
So sorry about your brother-in-law. I’m sure your husband appreciates your support!
Yay for football and running!
I mean… things can’t be too bad if football and running are involved. : )
I’m sorry about your brother-in-law. I wasn’t close with my cousin (by his choice, he wasn’t close to any of our family), but when he died suddenly, it was hard to accept that there was no chance of that changing.
I am not a football fan, but football starting back means hockey isn’t far behind! Until then, we keep on with the usual things. My favorite part of the weekend is not working, and hopefully a little more sleep.
It’s true, it can be harder to lose someone if you feel like things were unresolved.
Not working and more sleep are two things on my list this weekend!
I’m really sorry about your BIL; it’s difficult to lose a family member, however complicated family dynamics might have been, and it’s hard to see family members hurting. I hope your husband is doing okay. <3
I hope you have a good rest of your weekend too — yay for getting Sunday off!
Thank you Farrah! I think my husband is doing okay, at least for now. I’m sure he’ll have his ups and downs as he navigates this.
Loss of any kind is hard and complicated family dynamics do make the grieving process a bit murkier, which can be so hard in its own way.
Yay for football.
Yay for not working on Sunday.
Yay the running is going well!
Yes, it’s a triple yay! Life goes on.
I’m sorry for your loss. That’s tough.
Yay for Sundays off, yay for football, and yay yay yay for running! It’s going to be a good weekend.
Thank you Birchie! Yes- I think it’s going to be a good weekend.
I’m sorry about your BIL – as you said no matter the circumstances it’s still family.
I’m so looking forward to all the football this weekend! Glad your running is going well.
Thank you Michelle! Yes to all the football, and running is going well so far… fingers crossed.
I’m so sorry about your BIL. I’m sure losing a sibling is tough, no matter how close they were or not.
Now that I’ve got TWO college teams to cheer for I am ALL IN for football. We just finished watching Hard Knocks featuring the Chicago Bears as well.
That’s right- you have a new team to cheer for! That’s exciting. I also hear the Bears have a new quarterback- should be a fun season.
Hugs to you and your brother. Family loss is so difficult. It’s more complicated when the feelings are confusing.
Thank you Engie. Yes, it’s a complicated situation, and I think you know a thing or two about complicated family dynamics.
I am so sorry for your loss. Even if we were are not close to the person, loss is always unexpectedly difficult. Hugs to you and your family. Hope the weekend off of work is just what you and your family needs
Thank you Deborah! Yes, a more relaxing weekend is what we need right now.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your BIL. I think it’s even more difficult when the dynamic is complicated. For me, the foreclosure that death presents is one of the toughest things to understand–so I really feel what your daughter said about how she’d hoped to meet her uncle “someday.”
I’m cautiously celebrating your runs and your free weekend, Jenny. I don’t follow football, but my students told me to cheer for the Ravens yesterday (something, something Chiefs are Taylor Swift?)
Ha ha… yes, you definitely don’t follow football (sorry to say, the Ravens lost.)
And- yes, that comment by my daughter was one of the saddest things anyone said.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Jenny; my thoughts to your husband. Even when you didn’t know someone closely, it is hard when someone close to you loses someone close to them.
This weekend, Lil Momma has an audition and then is hitting a birthday party and I hope to catch up on house stuff and get organized for next week. That sounds so lame, so maybe a fun coffee somewhere in all that?
Thank you Lindsay! And yes, I vote for a fun coffee for you at some point in the weekend.
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband’s brother. I’m sure it’s difficult no matter the family dynamics. Sending hugs your way!
I have so many blog issues going on that I could never judge you. Well, I wouldn’t anyway, but you get my drift.
Thanks Debbie! Ugh, blog issues- I have no idea what I’m doing. I need to fix it but I’m afraid I’m going to delete the whole thing accidentally. Sigh!
I’m sorry for your loss, and I hope your husband is doing as well as he can be. Yay running!! And a fall day off!
Thank you Sarah! My husband is doing pretty well, all things considered. I think we both need a day off!
Sorry to hear about your BIL.
Happy to hear that you are running pain-free.
On the other hand, I am not… hope I can soon. Details on WRD this weekend.
Oh NO. What is going on??? I guess I’ll find out Sunday. Hope everything is okay.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your BIL. Hope you enjoy your day off! it’s weird, by the time Saturday rolls around I feel like my weekend is almost over even though it’s just starting because I also have Thurs and Fri off usually.
I’m so sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. Families are complicated sometimes.
I hope you do have a nice day off and I’m glad you’re running pain free.
I am sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. Sundays are for relaxing but lately, I’ve found myself working too and I do not like it. Oh well.
My condolences on the loss of your BIL. Loss is always hard, even if it’s someone you’re not close with. I hope your husband is doing okay!
FOOTBALLLLLL! That Dolphins game was frustrating but glad they got it together to get the W!
I am so sorry that your husband lost his brother. I can imagine it must be a little strange if nobody really knew him but it still always strange to lose a family member. Is there going to be a memorial service? Was he married?
No matter when it happens or to whom, death is always hard. I am sorry. )