I’ll Look for You
Losing a brother is like losing part of yourself– part of your childhood, your growing up, your everyday life. You grieve for yourself and for the future without him, but also for those who lost a friend, a teacher, an uncle. My brother Jim died last Monday night of a progressive and fatal lung disease. His decline over the last few weeks was precipitous and heartbreaking. I’m grateful that we shared many intimate and honest moments together, including on his final day. When I told him how much I would miss him, he looked at me and said, “You never know, I might be gone and then be right back with you.” This poem and page came about because of that.
Thank you for your kind thoughts and condolences.
I’ll look for you
In the flock of robins high in the walnut trees,
And in the now dry and curled beech leaves,
In the cold north wind accompanying my walk,
And in the silent spaces across which we talk,
In glistening sun on frosted grass,
And moon shadows glimpsed through evening glass.
I’ll look for you…
Because, who knows,
You might be right here after all,
Beside me.
As you said,
Gone and then right back again.
I’ll look for you.
Drawn In 
Oh Jean… I am so very, very sorry…. It is hard. I know. And we can be hit with deep grief unexpectedly long after . Know I am thinking of you. And…this page and poem are beautiful…
Susanne
Susanne Swing Thompson
http://www.wren-photos.com
404.660.5001
So sorry for your heartbreaking loss, Jean. I have two brothers and none of the three of us is young anymore or as healthy as we once were. My heart breaks
I am sending sincere sympathy in the loss of your brother! It must be so hard to lose a sibling. The drawing and the poem are a beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
A beautiful poem, and painting-so appropriate. My sympathies to you and your family.
So very sorry. My deepest sympathies.
My heartfelt condolences on your loss, Jean. Your beautiful poem is so true. The bond with your brother will never be broken. Margo
Great poem. We will all miss him.. A great guy, Cousin, and friend to many.
Thank you, Dave. Your support is much appreciated.
I’m so sorry to hear this. Warmest condolences. Marina
Jean, I’ve thought of you so often this week as you have this sad heartache of loss. Your art and this poem are beautiful. Thank you for sharing these. Sending you a gentle hug. Mary
Thank you, Mary.
Jean — I’m so sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. I know the pa
Dear Jean,
I am both svery orry for your loss and grateful for the wonderful way your poem and art help me—and others I am sure—view such a loss.
We’ve not met, but I am a friend and art buddy of Sue Curtis, who has taken several of your workshops. I frequently share your Drawn In posts with the students in the watercolor classes I teach.
Warm thoughts, Sally De Fazio
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Oh so deeply sorry for the loss of you brother’s presence. Unless, as he suggests, he’s not gone at all but right here with you as you so beautifully write. With love.
Your poem and painting are so very expressive. Wishing you strength, calm, peace, and joyful memories.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your brother. Death can be so unkind and relentless chasing us down.
I love that poem with all of its meaning and encouragement to look for those you love in everything, for they are not truly gone from us, just hidden. We can find them if we truly look for them.
My condolences
Our deepest sympathy, Jean. Sending love to you and all the family. ❤️❤️❤️Sent from my iPhone
Thank you Ellen. Appreciate it.
Jean,
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. I went to the CAL meeting hoping to see your demo then found out what had happened. Again, words can’t heal what you’re going through but I’ll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
Diane L Campion
Oh my goodness Jean, I’m so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you and your family.
breathless ……..I feel the need to be quiet; hushed in your tremendous loss and sorrow. May nature envelope you with hopeful memories and continuous inspiration to look deep into a world where only the most sincere may discover the seemingly impossible. my deepest condolences, Jean.
Thank you, Barb.
an incredibly powerful share. Hugs
Oh my. For sure he’s
Dearest Jean. I am so very sorry for your loss. Tears rolled down my cheeks reading your lovely piece. May your heart be blessed with beautiful memories. Love, Christina
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you Christina.
So sorry Jean. Having lost two brothers I sympathise deeply, and admire your memorial to your brother. I’m borrowing your comments for comfort.Love,SueSent from my iPad
Love to you, Sue. Thank you.
Jean, I’m so very sorry to hear your news; my condolences to you and your family. How lovely he left you with those beautiful words that might bring you some comfort.
I lost my brother 2 years ago and this has brought tears. It’s beautiful. My heart is with you.
Thank you for reaching out. It helps.
Jean, my heart breaks for you and your family. Your tribute to your brother was so beautiful and raw. Thank you for sharing. Sending al positive energy to you. 💕
Linda
Jean, I
I am so sorry you have lost someone you care about. He sounds like a lovely man. Your tribute to him and to those who knew him is perfect – and the poem and drawing say a great deal more than anything.
Thank you, Jean. We lost our son four years ago but feel his presence always as you will your brother’s…
So sorry you had to experience the loss of your son. I appreciate your words of encouragement.
Oh Jean, I’m so sorry for your loss and the speed with which it took him. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and poignant poem. My sincere condolences to you and all of his loved ones.
Sheila
I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. I know how the loss feels because my brother died two years ago; however, I feel that he is still here. Please accept my sympathy.
Thank you Theresa. I never thought I’d lose a brother so young. I appreciate you reaching out.
I’m so sorry for your loss 💔 Your poem is very moving and really touched me, especially as I lost my own brother 6 months ago. I hope you find your brother in all those places.
Thank you Lesley. I’m sorry for your loss. Take good care.
I’m so sorry for your loss! My condolence to you and your family.
Jean,
You always find such perfect words, even when the pain is your own. My heart is aching for you and your family.
Take care and please know so many of us are thinking of you.
Peggy
Hi Jean:
A well thought out and beautiful tribute to your brother.
Thanks for sharing, sending heartfelt thoughts your direction.
so, so sorry for your loss. His thoughts, and your expression of them, are beautiful…..such a gut wrenching yet also soothing page, Jean. Hopefully soon the memories will overcome the sadness and you can smile with thoughts of your brother.
So, so sorry, Jean. His words, and your poem, are both gut wrenching and soothing at the same time. What a lovely page in tribute! Hopefully each day forward will lead you out of the sadness and into the days when you can smile at fond memories. Take care.
oh Jean! I’m so sorry for your great loss. I lost my own ‘little’ brother over a decade ago (before he even turned 50)….and it still stings. Your words are wise…and welcomed here. Thinking of you….this is so hard.
Roxanne Steed
oh Jean! I’m so sorry for your great loss. I lost my own ‘little’ brother over a decade ago (before he even turned 50)….and it still stings. Your words are wise…and welcomed here. Thinking of you….this is so hard.
Roxanne Steed
Thank you Roxanne. Much appreciated.
Heartfelt condolences to you, I’m sad about your grievous loss…💔
My sincere condolences to you and your family Jean. Beautiful piece and the poem is so touching! Although the leaves may be dried and crinkled, they will bring life again in the Spring soil. May your art bring you solace.
So sorry for your loss. No one knows us like a sibling which is why it feels like we’ve lost a part of ourself. May all the happy memories come to the surface to soothe your grief.
Dear Jean -I
I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a brother is rough. Thank you for sharing your feelings with your artwork and poetry. This lovely tribute to your brother was a healing salve for me. My brother passed in May, and it is still raw. I think I will paint something too. Thank you for your continued inspiration.
My condolences to you, Connie. Thank you for sharing your loss with me.
So sorry for your loss Jean. Keeping your brother and your family
Jean, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your treasured brother. I hope you will find comfort in the many memories, and feel his presence through whispers in the wind and rustling of leaves. Keeping you in my thoughts.
when my daughter died a few years ago I, I was given some great advise from a friend. She said to talk about her a lot. Use her name in a sentence frequently. That it would help. It has and it has helped me to accept my loss and our family’s loss of someone we love so I much. My condolences. Lovely poem too.
Linda– I’m so sorry that you had to experience the loss of your daughter. The only way through grief is to feel it…and so we walk on, carrying it with us, releasing it as best we can, holding close our memories, and living with gratitude for the gifts we have.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. The poem is beautiful and I think of my parents, loved ones who have passed before me and I encounter them in places we used to share together. Perhaps at the beach or on a boat and I think of them. Sometimes, I say their name and a sentence or two.
They all live on in our hearts.
Dear Jean,
I am very sorry for your loss. The poem has a lovely, moving sentiment–thank you for sharing it. I will think of it when reflecting on the many dear relatives and friends who are no longer with me. Wishing you strength at this difficult time.
Sylvia
Jean, I’m so sorry. I know how hard it is to watch a loved one decline and suffer, having lost my brother-in-law of decades to a quickly progressing neurological disease this year. Your poem is truly beautiful and I find it comforting for my own grief. I’m sending my warmest thoughts to you, Daniel, and all of your family.
Thank you, Beverly. Sending warm thoughts your way.
I am so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.