#1
At 2pm my Dad calls my phone, which is unusual since he knows I'm working. I answer it.
He is speaking quietly and very calmly. He says, "Son, I love you very much. I have some terrible news. Jared passed away this morning." Jared's wife was calling me from his phone to say she found him dead.
I couldn't process what he was saying. I said, "That's not funny. Jared, his wife and me and my wife were supposed to meet up next weekend for dinner."
Jared had sleep apnea surgery that same week. He had taken a painkiller and benadryl together. It stopped his heart.
He died 2 days before his 40th birthday.
We were friends since grade school. We did everything together, he was my brother. He was the best man at my wedding earlier that year. I had just shared my son's heartbeat with him via a text message 2 days before. Jared was so excited to be his crazy uncle.
I miss him every single day.
#2
#3
ETA: Holy c**p, I'm so sorry so many of us are in the same boat. ☹
Here's to hoping there's a light at the end of this tunnel.
Regardless of the reason, losing a best friend can be devastating. That person was likely part of your life for a while. Someone you shared your innermost thoughts, fears and secrets with. You might have laughed and cried together. And suddenly, they're gone.
Therapists say the brain interprets loss as emotional trauma. There are physical symptoms that come with it. You might not want to eat. Your memory, sleep, and general brain function could be affected. The trauma could last months, or even years.
#5
I learned the hard way that most friends just can't deal with that. Almost all of my friends today never knew me as a walking person.
#6
Edit: Just realized it has been 16 years to the exact day. No wonder why I'm not sleeping...
There are various symptoms of grief that go with the loss of a bestie. You might experience confusion, anger, guilt, sadness, shock, denial and even physical pains before you find yourself accepting the situation. It's important to note that acceptance doesn't mean you no longer grieve the loss, or miss your friend. It means you've decided to move on with your life and cope.
#7
#8
It's been 5 years now 🤷♂️.
#9
She was 5 days younger than me. We always said we'd do a double 21st. She only made it to 19
Miss you, Tracey.
“Prioritizing self-care, revisiting positive memories, and leaning on your support network can help you navigate this challenging period,” reads one therapy website. It's not unusual for friendships to end. Friends will come and go throughout our lives. But when a friend becomes like family, it's a different story altogether. So it goes without saying that some friendships will take longer to get over than others.
#10
or bad because she would make it about herself.
#11
#12
"After losing a friend, allow yourself to grieve as you would for a family member," adds the site. "While some may not view the loss of friendship as equivalent to more accepted forms of grief, your experience is valid. Permitting yourself time and space to heal is essential.”
#13
I learned my lesson in just how little I was valued in that friendship.
#14
#15
Sometimes you might think you've healed and moved on, only to be triggered by something that breaks your heart all over again. Birthdays, holidays, or even places could cause sadness. You should try plan ahead for those circumstances if you can. So that you're better able to manage your emotions.
If you ever feel like you can't cope, it's best to seek professional help from a therapist. Have you ever gone through a bad break-up with a bestie? What did you do to help you cope? Let us know in the comments.
#16
#17
I haven’t seen or heard from him in nearly a year and have no idea how to contact him. He should have never kept secrets from her, but he should have never married her in the first place. I wish there was something I could do.
#18
Anyway, he didn’t show up at school the next day. Around mid day they announced his death due to a traffic accident on his way to school.
I’m not sure he was my best friend though he was a very good friend, but I’m pretty sure I was his best friend. Good guy, lousy ending. RIP RC.
#19
Best Man at my wedding when we were 28.
Day after the wedding he never spoke to me again.
No explanation. Calls and texts went unanswered.
He would avoid being at any social event I would be at, which was a few because we had the same circle of friends.
Tried for two years to keep that friendship alive.
#20
