John had a contagious laugh humor & wisdom beyond his years.
John Michael Kennedy, December 2, 1990 - January 25, 2011...death of a brother...how do I deal with it?
Hi, I'm Lyssa Kennedy...I'm 16 years old & I'd like to share a story about my brother.
On January 25, 2011, my oldest brother, John was taken from me. Before I tell you about how he died, I should tell you a little about his past.
In 2009, John was in a car accident that changed his life and left him paralyzed. He was doing very well in rehab and getting ready to go to Atlanta for a higher end rehab.
He just got a car a few months before he was killed, and was waiting to get handle adjustments so he could drive himself to work instead of relying on others.
My brother was the most independent, inspirational person I've ever had the chance to know. He was my absolute best friend.
On January 25, my life changed. While my brother was wheeling his way home from the bus stop through snow, (sidewalks were left unshoveled by the city) a drunk driver hit him from behind.
My brother died just barely a month after his 20th birthday. It's been almost a year now, and the trial for his killer are finally coming up.
Hopefully, he will be put behind bars for as long as possible. Please pray for me, my family, and his fiancee, who I consider family, that we get a little bit of justice for all the hell we've been through.
Death of Brother Response:
Lyssa, I found a video that I thought may be helpful to you and posted it below.
Your brother was obviously a shining light in this world. He obviously was one of those people who met what we call "tragedy" and his spirit didn't look at it that way.
He decided to keep living in a way that empowered him and others around him.
My encouragement to you is to remember his example. Your brother is gone physically from this world, Lyssa, but he's not gone from you in a spiritual way.
He's with you and I'm willing to say he wants the best for you in this physical "reality". Keep in your heart his example of how when things seem "terrible", there's a lesson to be learned, a path we must choose to take.
How can the strength you obviously saw in John come through you? How can you use this experience to shine a light on others? How can this experience in your young life shape you and your future where you can be to others what your brother was to you?
My heart is with you and your family. I would love to know if the perspective on death brought out in the following video helps you. Pay close attention to what she says around the seven and a half minute mark.
My older brother died on march/3/2011, which also happened to be his 26th birthday. He was in jail six months before that and had just gotten out on the seventeenth of February, so he had only been out for a few weeks.
I saw my brother the night he got out of jail, my sister and I, went with his fiance to go pick him up. We were all so excited. That night we all stayed together.
On the second of march, was the last time I saw my brother. I had went to pick him up to take him to the store with a few friends.
When I got back into the car my brother had been doing pills, I looked at him and my eyes filled with tears as I told him he didn't act like my big brother anymore, he laughed and said "Your putting on a front".
I didn't say anything else, I let it go, not knowing I wouldn't have another chance to really tell him I was for real.
My brother Joshua died the next day of an apparent drug overdose. I really feel as if I'm taking it quite well, but I also feel like I'm holding too much in... I don't know how to deal with this, I don't want to deal with this. I miss him so much, and I just don't know what to do.
A lot has been bothering me since the passing of my brother, I seem to be questioning everything Ive ever been told about heaven and hell... I can't stand not knowing where my brother is, cuz I know hes not here with us anymore. if anyone has any advice please let me know.... thank you... -Jessica
My brother was murderd at the age of 23 and I still find it hard to cope and get over the pain.
It was a couple days before school was about to start and I was about to start school. My dog started to bark and she wouldn't stop. I thought my brother would go get it but I thought he didn't so I went down and he did.
There were two men standing at the door and I stepped out. I asked them what was the matter. They asked for my mom's info. and by then i noticed the badges, they were detectives.
They asked about my dad and mom. I told them everything they wanted to know. Then they went to call my mom's work, but she had left work and was on her way home.
My neighbor came up and tried to call my mom. She pulled into the driveway and they told her to pull up. She got out, they told her, she screamed and dropped to her knees and i bolted out the door.
My neighbor told me. My brother was dead. There was nothing i could do. I felt like it was my fault I could've done something.
It tore me up inside knowing that he was dead. He was like my father to me. How could he be gone? Why him? I didn't understand. My whole world was falling. There was nothing i could do.
What heals the pain? Some say that time. No time teaches you to live with the pain. You will feel the pain forever.
There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about my brother. There is nothing you can do to make the pain go away completely... it will always be there in a way. I remember the good times I had with him. I miss him. RIP WILLIAM GENTRY
My brother was eight when he passed away. May 29th, 2010.
He died due to his lungs collapsing. He was premature by several months. He had the worst case of Cerebral Palsy. He went to school for two years.
He died at our house and the morning we woke up, it was terrible. If it wasn't for my brother i wouldn't be who i am today and want to be when i get older because i'm only 15. I truly believe that God brings someone home when their tasks are done.
How do you accept an older brother's death? I find it very hard. I'm used to having him around. He takes care of me when we were little.
Although we fight a lot, I still love him unconditionally. I miss my brother. I'm not very social so whenever we have gatherings I usually sit beside him.
Though he does not have a high-paying job like I do, I don't belittle him. I treat him like we're equal.
We are like living a double life. We are different at home and outside.
During his funeral, we discovered a lot of new things about him that we never imagined he is doing.
He serves God above others. He's been a soldier of the Lord.
He helps people who are in need. To me, he's just my brother. The one I pick a fight with. The one I play around with. But for others, he's Godly.
I just miss him being around. I just want to accept the fact that he's physically gone. But it HURTS!
