On Oct 4 a friend (code name “Paul”) and I were at a viewing for our 25 year old friend who passed from falling while hiking. “Paul” and I both have boys born this year (5-6 months old). After attending the viewing, we both noted how sad it was to watch the father and mother in such a terrible situation. The worst for any parent, and somehow slightly more understandable now that we are parents ourselves.

That night his son passed away silently in his sleep - Not even 12 hours since we talked at the viewing about how surreal losing a child would be. Their baby simply stopped breathing. We’re all still in some level of shock.

Hug your little ones and appreciate the time you get with them. You never know when your life can go the other direction.

That is utterly tragic.

Please be good to "Paul", and do not expect him to "get over it" anytime soon. It doesn't work like that in my experience.

If he and family are ready for it, perhaps mentioning The Compassionate Friends -- along with its link I've posted elsewhere in this page -- might be gratefully received?

My local chapter is wonderful, and has kept my wife and I as sane as we are after losing our (only) son.

May peace be unto "Paul".

Thanks. I know my friends will never get over it. My wife had a sister that passed at 6 months old from a heart issue and my MiL said exactly that (“they’ll never forget its always with you every hour of every day”).

If you don’t mind my asking what part of the world are you in?