Bad news.

[Dr. Madd]

Words fail me and clumsy business of trying to arrange them in a way as to convey my sorrow for you would only cheapen their meaning.

[citizen_erased]

my sincerest condolences with your loss. My thoughts are with you.

Ik wens jou en je gezin heel veel sterkte toe.

[BB BlackDog]

Thoughts with you

[The Abiliegh]

I'm terrible sorry for you loss, and thank you for your trust in us as a community. This is a difficult thing to share so openly. I hope that every warm thought and well wish eases the ache.

[Smaggers]

Really sorry to hear that BB. 

[Major Wolfram Quicksilver]

Please accept my humble condolences on your sad loss.  I am at a loss of words and don't know what to say to you to help you feel better.  I wish I could do more than give you my sympathy, but there is nothing I can do or say to make this any less painful.  Just know that we're here, And that we're thinking of you.

[Augustus Longeye]

I would like to add my voice to the sadness... My thoughts are with you all.
~Longeye~

[akumabito]

Gecondoleerd en heel veel sterkte in deze moeilijke tijd. Als je een keer je ei kwijt wil, weet je m'n PM box te vinden.

- Joost.

[Captain Shipton Bellinger]

Very bad news indeed. You both have my deepest and most sincere sympathies.

[bicyclebuilder]

Just a quick look at the replies, bitween the hectic moments.
We thank you for all your kind words and condolences.

[Jupiter Harsh]

I am so sorry for your loss and cannot begin to comprehend what you must be feeling.
Please accept my condolences.

[Xenos]

There really are no words that can help...  Just know that you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers, mate.  If you need to vent, or just bend an ear, or really anything at all, I may not have the answers-but my inbox is always open.

Deepest sympathy and condolences from both me, and my wife.  *Hugs*

[TVC15]

I can only express what has been said already: I am sorry for your lost and pray that the pain be taken away from you quickly.

[J. Wilhelm]

My sincerest condolences, and may your sorrow be muted with time, as I know from experience how difficult these situations are.

J. Wilhelm

[LukeHogbin]

God gives us all love,
but someone to love
He only lends us...


Please accept my humble condolences

[MechanicalMouse]

I can only imagine your pain and sorrow. Our sympathies go out to you.

[Lazaras]

One of those 'I wish i knew what to say because  I don't know and I need to say something' situations.

Just know that you arn't alone.

[ZenGwen]

I'm so very sorry to hear this. Truly an experience which no one should have to live through. I hold you in the light, friend.

[Birdnest]

Bird and I offer you our prayers and condolences.  I can only have nightmares about the horror that your family has just experienced.  Mere words can never express ...

sigh.

We're pullin' for ya mate.

Bird and Tom.

[London McGregor]

Sorry for your loss words have no meaning right now..

[Lady Jemima Piddlepuddle]

Oh my... I cannot even begin to imagine what you and your wife are going through right now. As a mother of 4 myself, my heart goes out to you both.

I don't know you or your wife, but as a fellow human, my compassion and love extends to you both and your families at this very sad time.

[bicyclebuilder]

Last week has been hectic. We had to arrange a lot for Lucas funeral.

The following might be strange, due to customs of our country and personal choices. Feel free to ask, remark, reply. I place it behind a spoiler for you to decide if you want to read or not.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Lucas stayed at the hospital for medical examination by the pathologist. We still don't really know what his illness was, or if it has something to do with possible a genetic abnormality. For us, the answer might give us more peace but at the first place, we would like to know if our daughter Amber might have the same genes or might carry the disease. With the answer, we could eventually warn Amber when she wants to have children of her own, to have her checked.

Tuesday, Lucas came home from the pathologist. In Holland, you are allowed to have your departed one in your own house until the day of burial or cremation. We personally layed Lucas in his chilled coffin and tucked him in, just like you would do with a living baby. He looked so beautiful, just like he was sleeping. The lid of the coffin was placed on top of the coffin, unlocked. So my wife and I and everyone who wanted to see him, could. Every day, a person came to check whether it would be advised to keep the lid closed. Obviously, we don't want to see Lucas in a way we didn't want to, if you know what I mean.

The rest of the week was a coming and going of family and friends. Some wanted to see Lucas, others really didn't want to see him. Fortunately, we were able to see him every day, all the way to yesterday. Yesterday my sisters, parents, my wife's mother and her friend and my wife's brother came to our house, in order to go all together to church. We decided we would use our own car. We asked our neighbour to drive, Amber sat "shotgun" and Lucas bitween my wife and I on the back seat.

At church, we carried Lucas in ourselves. Me carrying, my wife holding on to me. Amber was her wonderfull self, friendly, sweet but quiet. Most of the time during the mas, sitting on a cousins lap or strolling around church greeting the guests.
It is a Belgium custom for the parents, to give little presents when a child is baptised. We decided to give these presents, a little bag with chocolate droplets (Kind of like m&m's but as big as a thumbnail and a harder shell.) We figured, Lucas was baptised right after birth, so the presents were appropriate for us. I don't know if I explained it correctly, but when you have questions, please ask.

After church we went to the cemetery, a few blocks down from the church. The new church, where we had the mas, does not have a cemetery. The old church is converted into a health center with doctors and a pharmacist. But it still has a cemetery. Almost everyone who went to church, joined us at the cemetery's central place to say goodbye to Lucas. After that, our parents, brother and sisters with husbands walked to Lucas's last resting place. We all said goodbye for the last time. Than, my wife and I both lowered Lucas. Our family gave us the opportunity for a moment alone.

At that time, the friends and family went to a restaurant we rented, just for us. It is custom to come together after a funeral to condolent and share grief. We usually do that with coffee, thee and sandwiches. We decided to have cookies in stead of sandwiches. It was around tea time.

After everyone left, we also went home. Even though we have Amber walking around, it was quiet in the house. We were all tired and soon we went to bed, to try and sleep.

[Dr. Madd]

bicyclebuilder: The Dutch are not too much different from us in the South.

[Jedidiah_Sampson]

I live a life/religion of universal love and with that stated, all my love to you and yours in this hard time.

[Lady Jemima Piddlepuddle]

bicylcebuilder what you have described sounds like a very beautiful way to honour Lucas's very short time on earth. May his spirit be at peace and forever live on in your hearts.

*hugs*