Has Anyone Else Lost Multiple Family Members in a Short Period of Time?

I think it's more common than we realize. Back in the late 1990's, I lost my Father and both my Grandparent's (My other "set" died when I was young or before I was born, So I don't remember them) in about a 5 year period. My Mother died unexpectedly when I was earl in my pregnancy. So I lost many of my close family before I could share my beautiful D. It's very sad. But I believe in looking forward. And I'm very lucky to have my H and D.

this remindes me of the story of Job from the bible. i am sorry for your many losses. it makes us appericiate life and living it a little more though.

I actually lost 24 people in my life in an 18 month time period. Thankfully none were kids. They youngest was 25. There were no "accidents." They were all medical. a couple heart attack/stroke, 2 swine flu, the rest cancer. It was a VERY rough time. There were several family members. And then there were some close friends. My friends parents that I grew up with. When it was happening I could not help but think for a moment that it was me. Of course I know that it is not true. I figured the older I get the more people I know and therefore I will know more people that die. A few months ago in the weeks before Christmas My grandma passed away, and then her husbands brother 5 days later. We were at my grandma's funeral when my husband got a call that his grandma had passed away. Two weeks later my grandpa lost his sister. He is not the last surviving of his brothers and sisters. He was #13 of 14. So it was difficult again. On top of that a week after her funeral my grandpa had a mini heart attack.

It is never easy. I do have a firm belief in the after life so that is comforting. I have to take it one day at a time and if I have to cry I have to cry. It is just how it is. Fortunately for me in many of the deaths my friends and family were ill. Terminally. not that that is good per say but we knew it was coming. we could visit and spend time with them. At this point in my life if one of my family members is ill I immediately go asap. I will never regret going to them. But I may regret not going. Good luck to you.

I lost both my grandma's in only three months.

I was 19 when it happened. It seemed so surreal at the time that I truly do not remember the feeling of loss.

To make the time hard, my dad went in for a five way bi-pass surgery literally weeks after loosing his mother. So I was scared shitless....Having Thanksgiving dinner with my family at the Hospital because of my dad.

You will go on. You need to find what you are to learn from this heartache. That is why we have it. To learn. Once you see it you will feel so much better knowing.

God be with you while your broken heart mends. But I promise you they do mend.

Wow. I'm sorry. That's a lot of loss.
I hope you can take lots of comfort in the fact that you loved them very much, they loved you and you were lucky to have had them in your life and experience their positive impact on your life.
All the best.

I've not been through multiple losses like that, but I'll pray for you and your family. I'm glad your faith is helping you through this difficult time. As long as you hold onto your faith and the inner peace and joy that He brings, the loss and the sorrow will all work for your good and you will be blessed. We are supposed to mourn the loss of loved ones. It is possible to be happy for them knowing they are in Heaven, while also feeling sad and missing their presence here on Earth. Sorry for your losses.

My only uncle died in Aug 99, both my grandparents died in 2000, grams in April, gramps in Aug (he just gave up after losing his wife). It was devastating as I was 8 mo preg with my first child when my uncle died and she was 7 and 11 mo old when both my grandparents died. Around that same time, we had FIFTEEN extended family members die. People I didn't really know, but my mom did, basically the older generations. It was very difficult. My grandparents basically raised me and I lost them way too soon. It does get easier with time and you just have to work thru it. I'm sorry for your losses.

In July of 2009 we got a phone call that my SIL in Atlanta would not make it through the night. My FIL was recovering from hip replacement surgery. My MIL was in rehab after a bad fall. They live in Central FL. DH and I are in N. FL we had to race down there to get them and then to Atlanta. She died before we got there.
In November my papa died after his dialysis treatments failed. In December my MIL passed away in her sleep very unexpectedly.
In 2010 almost a year after my papa died my granny passed away. In 2011 I had an ectopic pregnancy at about 10 weeks.
Yeah, I'm a little tired of death and am just trying to keep my faith from unravelling at this point.

Oh Mama, I'm so sorry for all of your recent losses! I do know what it's like & it can be totally overwhelming & cause a helpless feeling like you said. 4 years ago we lost my grandmother, followed 9 weeks later by my uncle, followed 11 weeks later by my grandfather, all on my mom's side. Prayers, rest, family time & lots of water were the only things that helped me. (((TJ)))

I am sorry TJ.
My family is extremely small, we haven't had many lots but my grandmother die when I was around 14. She was the only grandparents I have and I was her joy too.
I keep the few memories I have of her as a treasure as I am sure you keep yours.
When we lost some one we love so much heaven is something helps to deal with the pain, as well as knowing that they are not suffering anymore and luckily had a full fill live.
Also know that this loved ones want you to be happy and in peace.
At the end time is the best medicine but your memories will never die.
Wish you feel better and that your kids can know through your memories how grate these people were.

In the last 2 years, we have lost many family members. Feb, 15th, 2010, we lost my father in law, then Oct. 13, 2010, we lost my husbands grandma, & Oct. 18,2010- we lost our son. June 15, 2011, we lost a Aunt, then July 15, 2011. I lost my mom. Soon, my mother in law will be passing.

These last 2 years have been the worst, especially with losing my son.
I tell myself daily that my son was getting Heaven ready for my mom, as they were close.
I struggle all the time with missing my son. But, have to be strong for my other 2 children. Life is never the same, But, you do find out what is important to you, when you lose loved ones.
Listening to music helps me to relax, and at Holidays, i put flowers in a vase to represent our loved ones that are gone, and light candles for them.

I lost both of my grandparents 3 months apart. It was so hard and I was still grieving over my grandma that it was hard to grieve for my pops. I was still so numb. It was really hard for me to stay strong for my Dad and be there for him when I was struggling so much, but I did it when I was with him... then I would come home and take a hot bath and just sit in there and cry as long as I needed to.

my husband lost his grandma then the next day his aunt passed away unexpectedly.

Its so hard when they go so close ( for us anyways) we weren't fully able to grieve for each person. I went to grief counseling and it helped so much! They were able to help me with the different stages when they come up and help me get over the guilt for never really grieving for my pops at the time.

It will help sticking to your faith ( it helped me alot) and don't be afraid to reach out for some outside help if you need to. Some times people need more help than we are able to do on our own and the help is there for that reason.

Time doesn't always heal it all the way but it does help to make it better. Just think of all of the angles looking over your family right now! Just remember they are always only a thought away.