In Reply to: oh thats all!!! but what if these peopl posted by inmyblood on Saturday, 15. July 2006 at 20:52 Bali Time:
last year with a very close,long time friend. His youngest daughter died and he was devastated. I was very upset for him and arranged to pay for the cremation. About 4 months later his beloved son died in hospital. This just about killed him and he felt he was being punished for something by the gods. I again offered to pay for the costs but he refused saying it was his problem and he must find a way to pay for it.
When I next returned to Bali after the death of his son as usual he met me at the airport but he truly was a shattered man. He didnt want to discuss either of the deaths so I left it open that if and when he did I was always around to talk. We didnt ever speak about it but skirted around the subject. One day he passed me his mobile phone and told me to look through the photos.
The photos were of his son, the day of his cremation. I had no idea what to say and had to bite my lip so that I did not cry. Those photos and one or 2 others taken prior to his sons death were the only pics he had to remember him by.
As I hadn't known precisely how to handle all of this, before leaving Australia I stumbled on a small crystal angel which came with some written words that were along these lines. This Angel is the keeper of your heart, will keep you safe from harm and watch over you when I cannot be here to share your troubles. Maybe an odd little trinket but the words actually meant something to me. I gave it to him and tried to explain the words but completely lost it.
The night I left Bali when I arrived at the airport he was there waiting for me. Before leaving he passed me his mobile phone and asked if I could retrieve a photo of his son from it. I agreed took the phone home with me. As I went to leave he took my hand, thinking he was going to give me one last hug goodbye. Instead he held my hand to his chest, over his heart and said ..."always jill..."
Words werent necessary and though metaphorically between us, much water had passed under the bridge, I understood all that he hadn't been able to say to me with that one simple gesture. Sometimes words never seem enough and other times they just clutter up a conversation.
Sorry, Shauna I havent meant to ramble but I just wanted to share that story. People close to you often dont need more than the knoweledge that you will always be there for them.