Today we got the word that a friend's brother passed. He was only a few years older than K and me, so it was a bit of a shock, even though he had had heart problems. It is just too hard to have people close to your own age die. It reminds too much of one's own mortality--and it isn't a pleasant thought.
Anyway, C called this evening and 'berated' me for not calling and telling her of his death. (She was joking.) I really didn't think of calling as he lived in the same town as The Parents, so I figured she would know about it before me, and told her so. As it turned out, she found out just before she called.
Here is the problem. C was told of his death by one of the first responders that had attended to him. This person not only told C that he had died, ****** said how he had been fine in the ambulance and they were sure he was going to be okay only to have him die at the hospital. Now, I'm not sure just exactly HOW much this person told C--or anyone else, for that matter--but I felt just a bit funny that this person said anything at all. This is the third time that I am aware of this person giving a bit of a detailed account of a first-response situation and I am not at all sure these are the kinds of things that should be told to anyone and everyone who would listen. Am I being a bit paranoid, or is this just not right? Should someone be told about this, or should it just be ignored? This person has been a first responder for a number of years--as has his/her spouse--and I just can't imagine how many stories are told. AND none of these stories are told in an anonymous way AND everyone in that area knows everyone else. What would you do in this situation? All opinions will be appreciated.
What Do You Think?
