Widows & Widowers Support Group
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Just had to share this from yesterday and get your perspectives. There was a post on FaceBook yesterday (April Fool's Day) from a gentleman whom I know. He posted, "Just left hospital. The news is not good." I expressed concern and asked if he could share more information. He wrote, "It's my lungs, but this time there is nothing they can do." I launched into a long, heartfelt message about hope, help, sorrow, and offers to help in any way, ending with a heartfelt prayer for him.
Long story short, this was an April Fool's Joke. But he let me believe it for over an hour. It was painful for me because my Joe died of lung cancer. The post he made brought back painful memories of our first knowledge of the lung cancer, all the fears, uncertainties, pain, surgeries, and finally death. The man eventually said it was April Fool's. He said sorry. His wife also said sorry. Didn't feel very sorry to me. Today, after thinking more about it, I wonder how a grown man could not know the hurt he would bring about by playing this "joke" on people who might be hurting about lung disease. And, I am angry. I don't know if it would help if I confronted him with how this impacted me or should I just remain silent?
Long story short, this was an April Fool's Joke. But he let me believe it for over an hour. It was painful for me because my Joe died of lung cancer. The post he made brought back painful memories of our first knowledge of the lung cancer, all the fears, uncertainties, pain, surgeries, and finally death. The man eventually said it was April Fool's. He said sorry. His wife also said sorry. Didn't feel very sorry to me. Today, after thinking more about it, I wonder how a grown man could not know the hurt he would bring about by playing this "joke" on people who might be hurting about lung disease. And, I am angry. I don't know if it would help if I confronted him with how this impacted me or should I just remain silent?
I've never been one to tolerate practical jokes or pranks of any kind. I don't find them funny. I have felt this way all my life not just since Brian's death.
It's just hard to say what I would do without knowing all the dynamics of your relationship.
I'm sorry this friend did this to you.
Nessie from KY
I'm so so sorry that you had to go through that.
Hugs
Julia xx
Like others have said it would depend on your relationship you have with him in how you would handle it...........hugs
I understand what you are saying about keeping peace, and think that's the right approach. You can't foce anyone to understand something that they cannot until it happens to them.
Greg and I too, like "love you sept, were at an all day clinic for end stage liver desease on April 1st. And it was no joke.
you know I can remember when being just a little girl, and my mothers always telling to never make light of someone's shortaocming desease or being overweight. when you do that she would say, it may happen to you, even more so, so never ever joke about it, or make someone feel bad because of it. I took that as wise words and have never done it. I hope that a desease does not befall these people who thought this funny. They would surely know then that it is no laughing matter.
HUGS my friend, and I'm just sorry that YOU had to go through this, but KNOW that YOU were sincere in your caring and that is something to be PROUD of!
Diane
Hugs, Anne
Take care, Valerie
Sending you Big Hugs, Martha
I would respond and let him know how you feel. I know that if I didn't - as time passed it would bother me that I didn't say anything