Saturday, September 24, 2005

Charles E. Anderson Memorial


My Beloved Brother Charles Eugene Anderson

Charles passed over into the next realm of existence and left behind the painful world of the flesh sometime during the morning of June 22nd, 2005. He was 47 years, 3 months, 1 week and 5 days old.

Charles, we miss you terribly but are also joyous that you are free of your pain and humiliation and suffer no longer in your new body in your new land. I know you now grok in fullness and are happy beyond all our human-limited imaginings. We love you and know you are waiting to greet us one day when our times are come to cross over and be with you in the next great adventure. We value the lessons you've taught us through your experience and remember the good times when the horror of cancer did not overshadow us. We regret our inadequacies to bring you comfort and hope but we also know you found true comfort and peace that passes understanding in your own way and time and that surpassed anything we could have given you.

Your life and death were more far reaching than you ever knew or accepted. Many people have been positively affected and will never be the same all because of you and your contribution to our lives. Your sphere of influence was much more broad and encompassing than you gave yourself credit for, Charles. People from all over the world are aware of your struggle to live with dignity and choose your own path to end your days here on Earth. You have left us all with an example and a gift that goes far beyond my ability to write about effectively. Thank you for that.

Thank you for being you and for showing us how we can be ourselves without fear or intimidation. Thank you for sharing our lives.

We love you, Charles. Always.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tony,
Seeing that word "grok" in your tribute brought back a lot of memories of Charlie. Thanks. :)
I love you brother.
Your sis, Teresa

VikiBabbles said...

Your tribute is beautifully written, Tony.

I hope that things are getting easier for you.

Zeinobia said...

I am really sorry for your loss

Unknown said...

Beautifully written...and my thoughts are with you...

David said...

God Bless you and may Charles Memory be Eternal

Anonymous said...

I strongly feel that Charles wants you to let go of your feelings of inadequacy. He is at peace and wants you to be also.
So sorry for your loss.
Peace............

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you are back..glad you two had each other for not only brothers, but friends.

Kim said...

Lots of hugs Tony. This has been such a turmoil, I know it's been hard, and I know you were sad, and I know the news still shocked and hurt, but I'm happy Charles has finally found some peace. Thanks for posting such a vibrant picture of Charles, it goes a long way in imagining him in a better place.

Ole Blue The Heretic said...

I am very sorry for your loss.
Blue

Anonymous said...

That was such a beautiful tribute to Charles.

-E said...

*hug* There isn't anything I can say.

Mama Mouse said...

I'm so sorry about your brother. This is a wonderful tribute, not only to him, but to your love for him.

Losing a brother at any time is hard but when he is only 47, with so much life left it is even harder.

My dh's brother died at the age of 44 and even after 13 years it is still hard for my dh to talk about him.

I hope you heal ... AND remember that your brother is always watching over you.

Cylithria Dubois said...

My heart feels for you, your family and the loss you must be sensing right now. ((((Tony)))

This is a beautiful tribute Tony, written by a beautiful man, for a beautiful man! Thank you for sharing it.

Joe said...

Sorry about your brother Charles, looking at that picture of him on the bike tells me that he enjoyed life with the freedom of the wind. May his spirit always be with you ...Joe

MG said...

I'm sure you've already done a lot of weeping by now, and you'll do more. Years from now something will occur - a smell, a funny one-liner, a t-shirt, a familiar sound - and you'll think of Charles and weep again.

You'll probably receive poems. Nothing Gold Can Stay, by Robert Frost or the one about not weeping at my grave, for I am not there. I got those too, when my loves ones passed away. They are beautiful, moving poems, but if you're anything like me, they might also annoy you and/or make you weep more simply because poems don't make it any less painful.

Charles is no longer in pain. Wherever he is now, he is free of his shackles and if nothing else that should bring comfort. I know you loved him a great deal and you will miss him terribly. I'm so sorry that you'll have to deal with everything surrounding this profound loss.

(((HUGS FOR TONY)))

Anonymous said...

Just passing through. Sorry about your brother. Looks like the kinda guy one would have like to have known.

Alison said...

I'd like to express to you whichever words are the equivalent of a hug.

Eric said...

Such a loving tribute to a brother.

I wish you the best during this difficult time.

Doug The Una said...

I guess I hadn't been by in a while. I'm sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with you and your family. I'm sure Charlie appreciates your words and even more what's behind them.

Jim said...

I don't know you or your brother, or anyone else posting on this blog. But I stumbled across this blog about a month ago and I love it. That was a beautiful post and though you don't know me my heart is with you and your family and your deceased brother. I believe that death is just the next great adventure and I hope he's smiling ... wherever the other side is. May peace be with you all.

Carol Davidson said...

Tony, I haven't visited in a while, so I just read about Charles' passing. This is a beautiful memorial. As always, my best to you, and thank you, and Charles, so much for your honesty, bravery, and genuineness in the face of so much that was awful.

Tara Tainton said...

That is a beautiful picture and very, very true words, from all of us. :)

cmhl said...

i'm sorry that you lost your brother. beautiful post.

Anonymous said...

Hi Tony,

I've been thinking about you and hope you are doing well. Is that ember still lit? Merry Christmas and may God bless and keep you and yours.

Cylithria Dubois said...

Hi Tony, been thinking of you and know this time of year is hard after losing a loved one. I just wanted to wish you and yours a Happy Holiday

-blessed holy socks, the non-perishable-zealot said...

Hey, dude, just know he's at peace now. He left this life as a martyr. That's the way I look at it. That's a martyr's death. No doubt about it. Take a lookit my novel, too, when you go to KoldKadavr's page. I love him, as a brother. Be at peace. God bless.

Cylithria Dubois said...

Thoughts of you Charlie and your brother Tony ran through my mind this morning. I just wanted to let you both know... :)

Bonez said...

Thank you, Cylithria(tm). I think of Charles every day and sometimes all day. How kind of you to think of him and for letting us know.

Anonymous said...

May Charles RIP...

Its difficult to fill the void left by the loved ones..

-Anish

Bonez said...

Thank you, Anish. I have found that the void cannot be filled and probably should not be filled. There is a place in my heart and life that belonged to Charles and Charles alone. Nothing else can fit in that space and I honor him and his memory by the very fact that his passing has left a void in me. I still dream of Charles often and think of him daily. I guess these are the ways he "visits" me...

Honney said...

hi...i admire you. you're such a great brother to Charles. he's so lucky to have you.

my condolences to you and your family...(i know it's really late).

hope you can visit my blog when you have the time. i would be delighted to hear from you. can link you up?

god bless, Tony!!!

www.honneymarie.blogspot.com

Jollyjo said...

Tony...what a great tribute...

As we surf the Net daily, I think we tend to get caught up in a world sometimes very far from reality...Charles, this blog and what you are dealing with is the real deal!

I am glad I came here today...

Bonez said...

Thank you, Adrian. Yes, Charles was the "real deal" and a very down to earth man who loved nothing more than to be outdoors celbrating life. I have been dreaming of Charles the last three nights. Each time a different dream but I always remember when I wake up. Isn't it weird how our mourning takes on different aspects as it progresses?

Anonymous said...

So sorry to read of your loss. How painful that must have been.

Anonymous said...

hi.i admire you

Bonez said...

Thank you for visiting Bad Monkey No Banana, Computerevo. I don't know why you would admire me but I do appreciate your kind words. Thank you!

Dr Zibbs said...

He looks like a happy guy there.

Bonez said...

Dr. Zibbs ~ Thank you for visiting and paying your respects to Charles. Yes, he looks like a very "happy guy" and that's the way most remember him. Charles was always a very giving man who looked for the best life naturally gives... even in the worst of times and circumstances. He is greatly missed by many who still love him dearly. I am positive he is very happy where he is now...

Anonymous said...

hello... hapi blogging... have a nice day! just visiting here....

Anonymous said...

It was certainly interesting for me to read the post. Thanx for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to this matter. I would like to read more on that blog soon.

Best wishes