Posted on 12/26/2003 9:15:09 PM PST by fourdeuce82d
Edited on 12/26/2003 9:58:21 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
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.
You are a good and loyal friend. Your friend is looking down on you and smiling at his brother -- you.
Plenty of time for grief later. Right now, give.
At times like these some reach for their New Testament. I reach instead for a dog-eared poetry book, and for each requiem I find these lines from Laurence Binyon some comfort.
He shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.The New Testament is still there for you, it's not going anywhere soon. I won't presume to suggest that this online community is any substitute for a lost friend, but we feel a little bit of what you feel.
Age shall not weary him, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember him.
As for those who thought this was a good opportunity to air their grievances with the unpopular ayatollahs of the Islamic Republic of Iran: wrong.
Rest in Peace.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
I believe you're thinking of the Palestinians, a people who have never lost an opportunity to do the wrong thing, make the wrong choice, or piss off the wrong people at the wrong time. They were the street dancers and their time is coming. There are some things we will never forget nor forgive.
No, God isn't trying to make you feel bad...He doesn't work that way. The other guy does though, so don't listen to his suggestions.
I had a tragedy in my life several years ago which caused me to question the existence of God. I ended up for a time as a staunch atheist, but God never gave up on me and sent a patient and loving FReeper to give witness to His love and provisions for us. I can now see that the questions and anger I had were all inspired by a very opportunistic Satan...and found fertile ground in my grief.
You will see your friend again. He is not lost, just somewhere else for a while. Your mission now is to live as he would want you to live, and perhaps provide the love and comfort to his family that he can no longer provide. Your care and devotion to his family and yours can be a testament to the bond you and your friend share...even though you are separated for the moment.
I will pray for your strength. Lean on the Lord.
The benefit of a public school education?
A Fordham University Law School graduate was miraculously pulled alive from rubble in the devastating earthquake in Iran that killed her boyfriend. Adele Freedman was in severe condition last night in a Tehran hospital after her tour guide summoned a rescue party to dig her and her boyfriend, Tobb Dell'Oro, out of a collapsed hotel where they were staying.
"That woman [the tour guide] is a hero. I don't know how we could ever thank her," Dell'Oro's sister Tam Dell'Oro told the Daily News last night.
Freedman's story of survival came on a day when rescuers had all but given up hope of finding any more survivors from Friday's predawn monster quake that killed at least 22,000 people and left 100,000 homeless.
Tam Dell'Oro of northern California said her brother and Freedman were vacationing when thequake hit. They had gone to the Iranian city of Bam to visit a 2,000-year-old citadel.
"They phoned us before the earthquake. They told us that they were so happy. That they were having such a wonderful time," said Dell'Oro.
The couple, who both graduated from Cornell University in upstate Ithaca, had traveled the world together, from the South Pole to Cambodia, Thailand and Burma.
After graduating from Fordham, Freedman worked as an associate at the White & Case law firm in Manhattan. She is now a partner in a northern California law firm.
"They loved going and exploring all the reaches of the world. They were a very loving and devoted couple," Dell'Oro said.
She said her family was touched that the couple's tour guide, Farzaneh Khademi, would set aside everything to search for her brother and Freedman.
"As soon as the earthquake happened she gathered up other people and went over to where Tobb and Adele were staying, and they dug them out," she said. "She put Tobb and Adele in her car and she drove through the pandemonium to the closest hospital."
The State Department said last night that Tobb Dell'Oro, 41, is believed to be the only American killed. Tam said her brother, who ran a market research firm in California, and Freedman were "treated like royalty" before and after the quake.
"We are absolutely amazed at how the Persians [Iranians] have opened their arms," Dell'Oro said. "They were not put at the back of the line at the hospital. They were welcomed by the Persians."
Officials fear the final death toll in Bam will top 30,000. Only one man was pulled alive from the rubble yesterday. END According to what we are hearing, Tobb had proposed to Adele that evening, and she had accepted.
Tobb was a wonderful man. I suspect he's a little irritated at me right now for wallowing in my own grief when there are living people who need help. with that in mind, please check out the address below- it's for the national Iranian American council- they are taking donations for the relief effort.
http://www.niacouncil.org/iranquake.asp
I have checked out this group with some folks in the know, and they say it is a reputable organization.
thank all of you so much for your support and compassion.
4.2"
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