dealing with death and it's many aspects, rants, raves,

[st.lewis11]

Just read this, Cronos, my thoughts are with you, man.

[Radbird]

Seemed like the best place to post this.

Zach Sobiech, 18-Year-Old 'Clouds' Singer, Leaves The World An Incredible Legacy

Zach Sobiech, the singer and songwriter behind viral YouTube hit "Clouds," passed away on Monday this week.

The 18-year-old battled a rare kind of cancer for most of his teen years after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma when he was 14-years-old. As a way to say good-bye to his friends and family, Zach wrote a song called "Clouds" that he uploaded on YouTube in December. The deeply personal video ended up touching the lives of millions of people on the Internet.

After "Clouds" went viral, the teen even signed with Broadcast Music Inc., a performing rights organization.

Zach's amazing story also caught the attention of Rainn Wilson's YouTube channel, SoulPancake, and they made a short documentary about the teen's journey, "My Last Days: Meet Zach Sobiech."

In the documentary, viewers learn about Zach's diagnosis and the inspiration for "Clouds" through interviews with his family, close friends and his girlfriend, Amy.

"He's shown me it's not all about the grades you get, or how cool you are in high school," Amy says. "It's about doing what makes you happy and no matter when you're going go to, live life to the fullest every day."

[IMADreamer]

I couldn't finish the video. F'n vile cancer.

[IMADreamer]

Today was the one year anniversary of my Grandpa's death. I miss him every day. I really miss talking farming with him. He was a huge influence on my buying my business, gave me lots of advice along the way. He taught me how to hit a baseball, pretty damn well too, and how to play cards.

The last thing he said to me was "don't worry about me, I'll be just fine." As odd as this sounds that was so comforting.

My Grandmother would die exactly one month later. Even though she had advanced Alzheimer I swear she knew and wanted to be with him again.

[lukethedrifter]

Went over and talked to the neighbor a while back. Just to say how sorry we are. It's sort of more difficult because we hadn't really become friends, just waved and said hello and exchanged a few words on a daily basis.
Selfishly (and not), I was glad that she was having what she said was her best day so far. She invited us in, we hugged, then listened to her talk about what happened and how hard its been. About how she came over immediately to our house because she figured I knew CPR but no one was home, about how it seemed like it took forever for the Fire Department to arrive. About how supportive her family and both her and his companies have been. About being worried about hearing sounds at night. Stuff like that.

and now she's having to put her dog, 13 or 14 y/o yellow lab sweetheart named Riley, down today. I feel terrible for her.

[IMADreamer]

Went over and talked to the neighbor a while back. Just to say how sorry we are. It's sort of more difficult because we hadn't really become friends, just waved and said hello and exchanged a few words on a daily basis.
Selfishly (and not), I was glad that she was having what she said was her best day so far. She invited us in, we hugged, then listened to her talk about what happened and how hard its been. About how she came over immediately to our house because she figured I knew CPR but no one was home, about how it seemed like it took forever for the Fire Department to arrive. About how supportive her family and both her and his companies have been. About being worried about hearing sounds at night. Stuff like that.

and now she's having to put her dog, 13 or 14 y/o yellow lab sweetheart named Riley, down today. I feel terrible for her.

That's awful Luke. As stupid as this probably sounds I think about your neighbor sometime and wonder how she's getting along. I know it's dumb, I obviously don't know the lady, never met her, don't even know her name.

I know from my own experience it really doesn't get any better. Everyone said it would over time but it doesn't. The only thing that is better is that I know she isn't coming home now, I know she's gone. I mean I knew it before but sometimes I'd forget. Now I just know.

I've been trying hard to start a new chapter in my life. Maybe start a new business next year, I even went on a couple dates with a girl but I felt nothing for her. Great girl, but I just had no interest. I kind of feel utterly and completely lost right now and I realize Nic was always my compass.

[IMADreamer]

So it's basically been a year. You know everyone says it gets better with time, but it doesn't. It could have happened yesterday based on the way I feel. I guess I have better days, sometimes several in a row, but it's always there right under the surface.

It's getting more and more to be a burden.

[StL Dan]

Thanks for being transparent with us, Dreamer. I trust there is something therapeutic in sharing these things with us. I don't know one darn thing about losing someone intimately special as you have, so all I can do is breathe a prayer for you every time you come to mind or whenever I see your awesome "hemicuda" image while scrolling through GRB.

[IMADreamer]

It does help to post it here. I'm sure everyone is tired of it and me, but when I talk to my friends they all want to get me set up with someone new. That is their answer. I don't want someone new, and I don't think there is an answer. If there is I don't know it.

As for the Cuda, someday I'll show you the whole thing. It's not ready for prime time yet though.

[StL Dan]

Tired of you? Nope.

Ready to see pics of that beasted out Cuda....YES. Hurry up, already.