Big hugs to you too and your poor mother. I lost my parents in my teens and losing ny siblings has. Been so hard. Bless you all.

@brutusthebear -- I'm so sorry to hear about your brothers and one at 18? Wow. Yes, your poor mother and you. I lost my brothers at 48 and 59 to cancer. So when I got cancer the first time, you can see why I didn't want to tell my poor mother. Luckily, I survived. My cancer is back, but after Mom went to Heaven so she didn't have to hear that news.

@menkcizmar -- So sorry you lost your husband of 50 years. That's rough after having him by your side for so long. I'm long divorced after only 5 years of a less than ideal marriage. It makes me happy to hear about those of you that have had a long, loving, supportive relationship -- the way it should be. I'm always amazed when friends share the nice, thoughtful things their husbands do for them. I'm happy you shared so many wonderful years together.

@britnoor -- I'm so sorry you've lost your birth family. Losing both your parents in your teens must have been so difficult. In addition to losing my brothers young, my dad died in a car accident when he was 50. Mom made it to 84, but passed away 5 years ago after falling and breaking her leg. So at 59, I became the sole survivor of my birth family. It's a lot to process and sometimes just seems surreal and creates a unique kind of loneliness. Holidays without them are especially rough. I miss those times of laughing and reminiscing about our childhood every holiday. If you share those memories with others, it's often a 'you had to be there' result. But we find a way to carry on and enjoy life as they would want us to do.

Hugs to all of you.