grief

[shootingstar]

Within the last 24 hrs., 2 grief related stories from face-to-face people I know on an ongoing basis:

Story 1: This morning my manager asked / in fact, ordered a work colleague to take bereavement leave...she found that the employee's sister had died last week of pancreatic cancer. Yet the employee never told anyone at work until today.

I don't think she knew was entitled to bereavement leave. I was aware of her sister's long-term illness before Christmas and was able to "share" since my sister died recently. Her sister was in hospice care. I think she broke down at work, crying at her desk. I could hear her while manager was speaking with her. This employee is a bright and thoughtful engineer, quiet and religious.

I can't imagine anyone going back to work so soon after losing a sibling they got along with/was close.


Story 2: A good close friend of mine phoned long distance to wish me happy birthday (coming up soon) and chat. I found out that she had another close friend (from her workplace) who died suddenly of an accidental drug overdose a few years ago. I thought she might have told me...actually. She is the one who lost her sister to a drowing at 19 yrs. and her mother in car accident when her mother was in her late 50's.

I had no idea of people...bearing these burdens. But then, people at work don't know much about me, than the fact my sister died. Except I look tired some days.

At times the act of blogging with photos, reminds of how see to and express one's world in new and more precious light.