20k dead in Iran- one was my childhood friend

self

[fourdeuce82d]

Just found out a friend of mine I've known for thirty years, and was the closest thing to a brother I'll ever have, was one of the 20k people killed in the recent earthquake.

He and I grew up in Saudi as oil brats- he was a wonderful, wonderful guy. He and his girlfriend were in Iran on a tourism junket. he always had to go and live on the local economy- i.e. he didn't want to stay at the hilton, he wanted to stay at the sort of places a local truck driver might stay at. That was where he was when the quake hit, and he was buried in the rubble. He and his girlfriend were extricated, but from what I gather he died in the car on the way to a hospital. She's hurt, but will survive.

He was a good man, a good friend, and a good person. I personally am (expletive deleted by moderator) wrecked. I wish it could have been me cause he sure had his (expletive deleted by moderator) together a lot more than I ever did or ever will. His family is in worse shape. This is going to crush his parents. They are going to need all the support they can get.

prayers, thoughts, well wishes appreciated. He was 41 years old.

I just wish I could put a bullet in my head and bring him back in some sort of trade- I'd do it. but I know I can't, so don't worry.

I'm just really, really beat down right now, and I'm dreading the coming days and weeks. I dunno...is God trying to make me feel bad for being a schmuck? Is he saying "I could have taken some of the flostam and jetsam that nobody would really miss, but haha, joke's on you, I'm going to take the guy that's really, really special. You, on the other hand, I'll leave behind to take up space and waste air."

That's some pretty sick humor if you ask me. There is no damn exsuse fror traking him none none. IT is not even remotely fair or just or reasonable and I 'm godamm piswsed off.

[VOA]

That's tough; my condolences.

And anybody who'd want to eat at the truck stop instead of the Hilton is
an OK guy in my book.
Forget the high-dollar sushi, French wine or cooking...
give me the chili-cheeseburger or what ever isserved up at the truck stop...

[Skywalk]

I hate to break this to you, but it wasn't Persians that were dancing in the streets.

You must be thinking of the ARab world, because Iran had some of the largest and most frequent pro-American expressions of solidarity and grief after 9/11. I can't actually recall any large-scale celebrations.

So reserve your hate for others.

[saquin]

Hodar,

When did you see these people dancing in the streets after 9/11? Maybe you're thinking of the Palestinians, but I don't think I saw Iranians dancing in the streets. In fact, just the opposite. I believe there was a large gathering of Iranians showing condolences to the 9/11 victims.

[texasflower]

I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend and the injury to his girlfriend. His family and hers will need lots of support. My prayers are with them and with you.

I am concerned about some of the things you are saying about yourself. You must be a very good person to care so deeply for a friend. Please keep in mind as you are going through your grief process that you are important and well loved by God, just as your friend was.

Please, if you start to feel that you want to hurt yourself, come back on line and let us help you.

[cherry]

THE question about God...why he doesn't intervene in life and save all the good people and punish the bad.....

I can't figure it out either.....I know that God just let's life go on the way its going to go, good or bad, but I still pray at football games, thinking HE will make that field goal go thru the uprights....

[Bogey78O]

My uncle was 41 as well when his heart gave out this Tuesday. He was just sitting down in his chair at his home when he just gasped and died instantly. He was an honest hardworking guy who never sought trouble from anyone.

The wake was tonight. There were over 400 people signed into the guest book.

It just happens and it's not God trying to make a point. It's just God keeping the world spinning and letting what happens happen.

[Skywalk]

I'm sorry for your loss, but you cannot get down on yourself.

You don't know yet what you have to offer, perhaps, but there is value. Your time here isn't finished, but also remember that fleeting is the glory of the world. For you and me life is not promised, tomorrow may never come.

So live while you can, and live well. Remain honorable. Love, love until it pains you. Improve your own life, improve your character and touch those around you similarly.

That's the best way to exist, as we merely tarry here several decades before leaving this Vale of Tears.

[hummingbird]

My condolences and prayers for your family as well, Bogey780.

[WackyKat]

The memory of them dancing in the streets as 3,000 of my fellow Americans were murdered is still pretty fresh in my mind. I neither celebrate, nor mourn; as I find it hard to think of them as human.

Large crowds of Iranians held spontaneous candleights vigils for the victims of Sept 11.

Perhaps it's those who make ignorant and hateful posts on memorial threads who are not quite human

[texasflower]

There were large showings of support for us from many thousands of Iranians. Some were punished by their government for it. We need to separate the people from their government. It was not something that they asked for.

A few days ago here on FR, I read an article about a radio show that featured one of the Israeli government ministers. This radio show was broadcast into Iran. The minister is originally from Iran, so he was speaking to the Iranians in Farsi, their language. Many of the callers asked him if Israel would help them overthrow their government.

Think about that. It took a tremendous amount of courage and desperation for those people to ask things like that over public airwaves.

Most of the Iranians are desperate for freedom. To me it is sad that 20,000 of them could only find it in death.

I will continue to pray for the Iranian people.

[farmfriend]

Counseling might not be a bad idea at this point.

[bootless]

I am so, SO sorry to hear this. Please know that you are in my sincere prayers. And of course, your dear friend and his girlfriend will be in my prayers as well... God bless you.

[cherry]

We have a lady who does cleaning where I work...I always talk to everybody, and I asked her where she was from since she spoke with an accent....

she told me she was from "Persia".....I think she thought if she said Iran she wouldn't be accepted.....lol

[alameda]

I'm so sorry for your great loss and pray peace be with your friend and his family.

[cmsgop]

I'm Very Sorry,Take Care.....

[pbear8]

Everything that you are feeling is normal for the state of shock that anyone experiencing the death of a 'brother' would feel. You have a deep, wrenching pain because someone you love has been taken, you can't think straight and can hardly breathe. Your pain is real and understandable.

Your friend, your 'brother', wants what is best for you, this you will know in time. Spend time talking about him and thinking about the good times with his parents. You are their son now. This is how you will heal the hole in your heart.

Do his memory great honor. Whenever you do an act of kindness, however small for someone else, think that you are doing it for your friend. That is what he wants.

He had a great life, sadly it was short, but he lived more in his 41 years than many others do with more time. Be glad for the years that you had him. Remember him always.

Slowly, by the Grace of God, you will be able a feel OK and go on.

In paradisum deducant te angeli,
in tuo adventu suscipiuant te martyres.
Chorus angelorum te suscipiat,
et com Lazaro quondam paupere
aeternam habeas requiem.

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks that in Your mercy, You have left so many things unanswered for us now, but all will be plain one glorious day. Bind up fourdeuce's broken heart, I pray, for his friend meant so much ... surround the grieving parents and a devastated girlfriend with comfort that transcends human understanding, for You are Creator God, and in Your hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind .. Job 12:10.

Hasten the day when the pain of fourdeuce's grief is lessened. May he return to find comfort in these words:

He Maketh No Mistake ~ A. M. Overton ~ He leadeth me. Psalm 23:2

My Father's way may twist and turn, My heart may throb and ache; But in my soul I'm glad to know He maketh no mistake.

My cherished plans may go astray, My hopes may fade away; But still I'll trust my Lord to lead, For He doth know the way.

Though night be dark and it may seem That day will never break, I'll pin my faith, my all, on Him; He maketh no mistake.

There's so much now I cannot see, My eyesight's far too dim; But come what may, I'll simply trust And leave it all to Him.

For by-and-by the mist will lift, And plain it all He'll make; Through all the way, though dark to me, He made not one mistake.

I've walked where you're walking, fourdeuce, and I've stormed the Gates of Heaven to undo similar tragedies ... He will lead you through and love you every step of the way.

Pegita

[potlatch]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I'll pray for you.

[bootless]

Prayers needed for a Freeper brother.