After weeks of fluctuating between screams for help and
lapses into unresponsiveness, Riley went to sleep peacefully and never regained
consciousness. The Immortal Alcoholic’s reign of immortality has come to a
close.
Rest in Peace
RILEY
The Immortal Alcoholic
8/19/1939 – 9/27/2017
Born in Clinton, Iowa
Died in Newport News,
Virginia
I won't forget the good times even though I can't forget the bad times.
I mourned the death of the man I married many years ago. Today just makes it official. -- Linda
42 comments:
Bet he’s doing some fancy talking trying to get past those pearly gates.
Rest easy, Linda. It’s over now.
God bless you.
My condolences to you. But we both know that they're gone long before the day they die. You'll find a peace like you've never before known...don't let anyone make you feel it's wrong.
Sending love, light and healing energy your way.
I'm sure you'll grieve just because hes been your life for so long. But the gates have opened for you to have a beautiful life and a sign of relief ..you deserve it...much love
Four years ago I faced the day you faced today. A new journey is beginning for you. It is a lengthy journey as you reflect and process all you have been through and move forward. Be gentle with yourself and take all the time you need to discover your new normal. Just know that hopeful thoughts and prayers are sent your way.
RIP RILEY. Linda, God bless you. The terror is finally over! May the rest of your life be filled with love.
My condolences Linda. I will continue prayers for healing and peace.
Linda, please find comfort in knowing you did your very best.
Wishing you peace. Thank you for sharing. ❤️
My condolences to you. I left my Immortal Alcoholic nearly 12 months ago & completely cut any ties to him. The transformation that occurred in me when I did was incredible. I started to remember the things that I originally strived for in life, & all of my personal passions came flooding back. I wish you all the best in your new, exciting journey, & admire your strength & courage to stick around until the ugly end. Love & strength to you.x
My condolences. My alcoholic husband died 2 months ago. I was sad but relieved. It's likeep a weight has lifted. The constant fear of "what next? " has gone. You did your best and you did the right thing. Now it's your turn xx
So sorry on the one hand and so relieved your nightmare is over. Take one day at a time to grieve, deal with the aftermath and plan your future. There is peace for you now.
I'm so glad you finally were given the help you needed to let him go on his way. I know you've been mourning the loss of the man Riley was for a long time. Don't forget that his death will bring challenges in facing a new identity, one that doesn't include wife or caretaker and manager of Riley. It's like being fired from a 24/7 job. Be kind to yourself and don't make any big decisions right now. Grieving itself is work, hard work, so rest and relax as you can.
I am so glad his reign is over for you .PLEASE keep posting . So we may see your journey of recover after this part of you life journey closes and a new one unfolds.
Your journey with Riley has been long and hard but your blog has helped many others in a similar position.
Thinking of you as you enter a new phase of life. You were incredibly patient and selfless to take care of him all that time. Your strength is amazing. Thank you so very much for sharing with us via your blog - it has made such a difference to know that we are not alone and to know what the future may hold for those of us living this life. Rest In Peace Riley and peace be with you Linda.
Thanks for all you did. Okiver
I pray for peace for you and your family. May your continued journey bring you love, joy, and peace that passes all understanding.
You were a wonderful wife...bless you both...
You are both finally free at last.
I am so sorry Linda. xxx
Just wanted to add, I couldn't cry when my alcoholic died and haven't been able to for the last seven years since. I think you are right when you say you mourned the man many years ago. We lost our husbands years before when they chose alcohol. The actual death is just the final conclusion.
Linda, I'm sorry for all your pain. I've been going through so much with my alcholic husband & there have been days where I wonder how I'm going to get through them. Reading your blog has helped me get through so much. I wish you comfort & peace now, Nancy
Linda, I'm so sorry for all your pain. My husband is a severe alcholic & there have been days when I didn't think I could get through them. Reading your blog has helped me get through them. I wish you comfort & peace, Nancy
So sorry for your loss, xx
Sorry for your loss x
Peace be with you.
Peace be with you.
I started coming here about a year ago.
I see this today... no words. Thank you for your work. All my love.
A mere mortal, after all. May he find his peace.
Thanks for sharing your journey with him.
It's something I will think about ... a lot.
Sincere condolences to you and your family.
A mere mortal, after all. May he find his peace
and may you find your life again.
Thanks for sharing your journey with him.
It's something I will think about ... a lot.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family. I divorced my alcoholic husband after 23 years of marriage. We all tried to help him, family and friends. Two 2 months after he moved out, we hadn't heard from him in 8 days, so I checked on him and I found him dead. There was relief his suffering was over. He was only 52. Now we rebuild our lives, myself and our 19 year old daughter. I read your blog during those difficult days and your words gave me strength. I helped him even though we were divorced, because for me, it was what I had to do. I hope you find your new life purpose and be good to yourself. You deserve it.
Thank God. I hope you find peace, too.
Congratulations. You certainly deserve a vacation, and hope that you are able to take one. Do whatever you feel like doing! Make some plans that you know you'll be able to keep! The beach is nice this time of year...
I found this site the week following my estranged alcoholic husband's death, which was just a month before yours passed on. I was with him the final week of his life, which was a blessing, since we had spent the last two years apart. I had finally detached, only to reattach in the end. His death has been one of the hardest things I've ever experienced... but I feel strangely relieved. I feel awful saying that sometimes, but I know you understand.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Sorry for your loss
You have helped me realize I have to cut down and quit
Thank you and I am sorry
Dear Linda,
I started to write that I am sorry for your loss, but what I really want to say is thank you SO much for writing this blog and providing a guide for me as I struggled through my husband's alcoholism. He died on March 22 this year and was just 45 years old. We were together 20 years and he was dead to me and our children the year before he was actually gone. Scores of terrible memories and yet some good too.
Your blog gave me the information and support I needed as I tried to be support him and my family. You got me through....so thank you and God Bless you.
Wow. He died on my birthday. My MIL is a late-stage alcoholic, and my partner and I rescued her from the clutches of death last year. During that time I was reading your blog a lot. She went to detox and a nursing home and was really doing well for a time. She's at it again, drinking 35 glasses of wine a day, sleeping all day.
Linda, I haven't kept up on the blig as much lately, and went back to near where I may have left off recently. After reading last night and wondering if Riley actually passed, I grabbed my phone to find out. My sincerest condolences, I have been there. My father passed away 2 1/2 years ago, some things are still very fresh in my mind, Anger being one of them. I never could quite get the message that "you can't reason with an alcoholic", I was constantly trying to reason with him. As I send condolences, I hope that you are doing more for yourself these days and have some fond memories of Riley, likely mixed in with the not so fond. You are an amazing inspiration and I wish you so many Blessings. Keep at it, you have been life changing for more of us then you know.
I got alittle ahead of myself on my post just a moment ago. What I meant to say was that I hope you have some fond memories of Riley (even if they are mixed in with the bad) in your mind. You are so wonderful Linda, wishing you Peace and Blessings. RIP Riley
Good bye, Riley. I hope he finds the peace he didn't have while drinking and suffering. My sincere condolences.
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