RAF_Louvert extended absence from forum

Hi Folks;

I suspect a few of you have noticed that RAF_Louvert has been conspicuously absent from the forum for some time.
I for one greatly missed his contributions here and so took it upon myself to ask if things were ok on his end.

Lou responded back to me indicating that he and his immediate family's are doing fine, but that he just recently lost his brother due to an unexpected health issue.
He indicated that he has been feeling gutted and lacking drive, not to mention having to deal with his brothers personal affairs after the fact. I expressed my condolences and relief that he is in fine health, and indicated that many are probably wondering about him.
He gave me permission to announce the reason for his absence, and indicated that he hopes to be back contributing in the near future.

In reflection, we all know how much Lou contributes to the forum and WOFF, and I know we all express our appreciation, but that is why it is noticed when he fails to contribute for a period of time.

If you read this Lou, on behalf of the community we wish you only fond memories of your brother and the times you had together., so here is a virtual toast to you and yours and best wishes!!

Well said Robert.

Thanks for updating us Robert. Losing a close family member and dealing with the aftermath is very tough, and I know we all wish Lou the best. I hope to see him back when things settle down a bit. He is a big part of the WOFF community and a class act a around.

Lou, you and your family have my deepest condolences on the sudden loss of your brother. Having lost two cousins at a young age, myself, I know how devastating something like this can be. There must be a thousand-and-one things that you have to do or that are on your mind right now, but please know that you are in all of our thoughts and prayers.

Lou, my profound sympathies. I know loosing a family member is extremely tough. Hang in there.

Lou, accept my deepest sympathy. I have a sister 12 years younger, so I'll most definitely go first. Can't imagine what it'll feel like for her.
Robert, you are right I have been wondering where Lou is. I've assumed busy with work. Thanks for letting us know.

Thanks Robert. To Lou very sad to hear of your loss and all I can say, as one of many who have been through similar situations, is keep going.

Lou, I know words don't help much, but we are all thinking of you
Ted

Lou, my deepest condolences for you and your families loss. May you find peace soon and be left only with the best of memories, my friend.

I know you can pull through this Lou like the hero you are known to me.

All the best prayers,
OldHat.

Deepest condolences Lou.

My heart goes out to you and yours during a most challenging and empty time.
We may not know you well, but we grieve with you. Again, deeply saddened to hear of your brothers passing.
Wish you well during this time.
With heavy heart,
Jenks

Dear Lou, I am sorry for your loss. Family first. May you find the strength needed to cope and the time to recharge the old batteries. So many thanks to you for all you have meant to the WOFF forum over the years. Be blessed, best wishes, Jim

My deepest sympathies for your loss Lou. My family sends prayers and nothing but the best to you and yours in your time of sorrow. I in some ways know how you feel as my best friend who is like my brother is suffering with a disease similar to ALS. I can only hope you see the good in your brother's life and celebrate that. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOURS.
John

My condolences go to you and your family, Lou. If you love you will grieve, that's just given. Just take your time. We will enjoy your return.

Sorry to hear about your loss, Lou. All the best to you and your family!

Thank you, Robert, for reaching out, and Lou, very sorry for your loss. Return with a peaceful heart, when you can.

Sorry to hear about your loss, Lou.

Lou, heartbreaking news. I hope you and your family are coping well. It's a process, a tough one, but somehow we manage. My deepest sympathies go out to you and I'll look forward to seeing you back in happier times.

Robert, thanks so much for connecting and sharing the sad news.



George

Lou: My condolences and best wishes for U and yours.

Sorry to hear of your troubles Lou....wishing you all the best.

Jeff

Hi Lou,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
I for one, miss you here at the forum, both for the fantastic work you've done for us all, and your brilliant sense of humour.
Bring them both back soon.

Our thoughts are with you.

Lou,
Life intrudes on our passions. Yet our passions are the roots of our lives. They are inextricably intertwined. We are just constantly forced to recognize and organize the importance of one over the other. The order in which they must be organized is rarely our choice...

Rick

Lou,
Thoughts and prayers to you and yours in this time of sorrow.

Lou

Sincerest condolences on your loss. Best to you and your family.

Lou, so sorry for the loss. No words could ever express or explain the pain of loss. I hope you are well, and wish you the deepest condolences during this time.

Take care, we'll leave the light on for ya... just don't stay away too long.... you're important to us... come back when things feel better.

James
'OvS'

Sorry to read of your bad news, Lou. Hope to see you back here as soon as life and your loss allow.

Dej

Sorry to hear about your loss, Lou.
This forum without you is kinda empty.
I wish you all the best.

Lou, so very very sorry for your loss my friend. I echo James' sentiments - there's nothing one can say to express the pain of loss. Just know that we are here for you, and we will be waiting for you when you feel ready to come back. You are incredibly important to us here.

Very sorry to hear this Lou, my prayers go with you. I sure hope you are back to your usual gregarious self and relieved of the weight of grief soon. When you get ready, we're all here to talk it out.

Don't usually bother with this forum..but want to send my condolances to Lou...and hope he finds his way again soon

S!

.

I want to sincerely thank you all for your kind thoughts and heartfelt concerns. This is a rough one for me. My brother Scott was two years my younger and we spent every day together as kids, going to school, heading out on our childhood adventures, sharing our dreams and secrets. Our interests were nearly identical and I will miss him dearly. Apart from my mother there is not another person living who I have known longer. I hope to get back into the swing of things here again in the not-too-distant future but right now my plate is just too full. Added to a busy work schedule, I and my youngest brother Wayne have been making numerous eight-hour round trips up to Scott's home to secure his personal belongings and to do an inventory of the estate. He left no will or instructions as to what to do with his many, many, many things so we are now entering into a long probate process. Suffice to say my days are very full. Thank God for Jane, my wife, who has volunteered to act as personal administrator of Scott's estate, taking on the lion's share of that task. She's a saint.

Thank you again to everyone for your support and kindness, it means more than you will ever know. Live life to the fullest my friends, it can end in the blink of an eye.

Lou

.

Your last sentence is so true Lou, and very pertinent advice. Stay safe and keep well!

My prayers are out to you Lou it is hard to lose one so close. Your last line is so true. Keep hanging in there we are thinking about you.

Lou, wonderful to hear from you.

Please know how much you are missed here, and that we're all with you and family. It's a process, like crossing a dark, cold river with a tangle of brush underfoot beneath the surface. There is nothing to do but stay resolute and push on. The sun's out and it's warm on the far bank.

Prayers to you and your family Lou

.

My sincere thanks again to all of you for your kind posts and emails. I am "over the hump" and moving on, with so many wonderful memories of my brother that visit me every day. I shall miss him dearly but as has been told and retold by folks much better with words than I, those who have loved and been loved are never really gone. Take each day as the gift it truly is my friends and carry as many of the good memories with you as you possibly can.

.

Lou

Raine said it so well in his post here, but I would like to add that your friends, good memories and better times await you on the far side of that stream and you are so close you can reach out and grab our hands. You have been so missed.

So glad to see your post here!

.

Thanks Robert, and I agree completely and Raine was one of the folks I had at the forefront when I spoke of those being better with words. That imagery of the sun and warmth on the far bank --- pure poetry.

.

A belated welcome back, Lou. Everyone here missed your wise counsel and your rapier-like wit! Oh, and the Tullamore! Can't forget the Tullamore (and other assorted adult beverages).

I hope, at least in some sense, that reading some of the adventures of Carrick, Robert, Raine, Mayfair, and Fullofit (and many others), was a bit of comfort to you during this difficult time. If not, you have a lot of catching-up to do!

Welcome back Lou I cannot know what you must feel, but you have made your way through the darkness, and now see your brother can never be truly taken from you as long as you carry him within your spirit. About you not being good with words, I oratorically deny that! I have read to many of your fine stories and sincere feelings to other members in times of sorrow. I have read many of fine comments that you have written over the years here. So do not sell yourself short when it comes to expressing feeling with the written word, because you sir are a master. Your talents are in many fields, but I have always enjoyed your writings as much as anything else you have done. I wish you nothing but clear skies and a good tailwinds for the duration.
John

I shall firmly resist a lifetime's tendency toward verbosity (almost) and just say... WELCOME BACK.