Goodbye Drew

I've purchased two G-Shocks in my life, both of them as gifts.  This last one I was most proud of.  I gave it to my brother this Christmas, a custom job that lit up with his initials after dark, and he loved it.  He wore it every single day to work and showed all of his coworkers it's special trick.  Now, its in my care forever.  Drew, my big brother, was 35.  He had a seizure in the middle of the night of February 8, which would happen from time to time as a result of a brain injury sustained 19 years ago in a car accident.  This one was his last.  All the reading I've done promised he didn't feel a thing.

At first I was so scared that he was alone and frightened, that he had nobody to comfort him, but after going to collect his things today I felt better.  I never made a ton of time for my brother, always busy with school and my relationship, and that haunted me these past few days.  But seeing this little watch right by his keys and knowing it was the last thing he put on before he went out to face the world... he always had something with him to remind him that I loved him.  

I kind of forced my love of watches on Drew.  A few Christmases ago, my dad gave both of us Bulova Lunar Pilots.  I'd longed to buy one and Dad figured he'd save me the trouble, but go for a matching set so Drew wouldn't feel left out.  Drew was always a bit afraid of wearing something so nice, despite my assurance, in fact I found the box was still sitting on his dresser, with the extra strap and springbar tool still inside.  The watch though was on his bedside table, always near him. It's with our mom now.  I made the G-Shock for him because I knew he'd like it and genuinely use it, and it turned out to be a much better fit.  While I could never bring him around to the hobby, we found just the right bit of common ground.  I would have never imagined when I was making it that it would be the last thing I gave him.

I know a post like this is a bit of a left turn from the norm, so though words of sympathy are appreciated, it would comfort me even more to hear any stories you have of watches or other things you keep close that help you remember the people you love.  It's funny how much little things like this can mean.

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I’m sorry to hear this. Sending good thoughts your way. 

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deep condolences sir, im sure he's in better place now🙏🏻

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So sorry for your loss. 

When my dad passed away in 2013, I kept the Timex Indiglo that he had been wearing for the last few years of his life. Before I started getting into watches, it just sat in a drawer, but once I started collecting, it's held a special spot in one of my watch boxes. Every night before I head off to bed, I turn on the Indiglo light for a few seconds to keep his memory alive. It's the least expensive, yet most valuable piece in my collection. I hope that your brothers Casio will help you remember him in the same way.

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tempus

So sorry for your loss. 

When my dad passed away in 2013, I kept the Timex Indiglo that he had been wearing for the last few years of his life. Before I started getting into watches, it just sat in a drawer, but once I started collecting, it's held a special spot in one of my watch boxes. Every night before I head off to bed, I turn on the Indiglo light for a few seconds to keep his memory alive. It's the least expensive, yet most valuable piece in my collection. I hope that your brothers Casio will help you remember him in the same way.

That made me smile!  Thank you.  Even today, checking the time at night.. no way I'm going to be able to ever forget him with his freaking initials shining right in my face!

Thanks again for your comment.  I'm glad a piece of your dad gets to stay so close to you.

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This brought tears to my eyes. I am so sorry to hear of your loss, and I actually share your pain, as I lost my own brother Drew in the middle of the pandemic. I had given him a Zeno watch for his birthday a few years prior, and it came back to me after his passing. We were finally able to gather as a family last summer, and I passed it on to his daughter at his memorial. My most sincere condolences to you and your family in this time after his passing.

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Here is a picture of the watch I gave him. I can't locate any pictures of him with it on. 😢

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So sorry for your loss. While sad, it's wonderful you were able to share your passion with your brother. Watches are much more than time telling machines. Thanks for sharing.

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Thoughts and prayers to you and your family my friend. Appreciate you sharing a story so personal.

The only thing I can think of to share is that when my wife and I got married, we set out our favorite books on tables and asked that our friends and family add there well-wishes inside. These were already items we cherished for but with added sentiments inside they’ve taken on added weight and meaning for us.

As an older brother, your story hit home… thank you again for sharing, and reminding me to give him a call more often ♥️

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Matthew, I'm so sorry to hear that.  What an amazing thing you were able to do for your niece!  It really is a strange thing to lose a brother, let alone a Drew.  I really don't think our minds are made to compute life without them.  I hope you've found a bit of peace in this short time since, and thank you so much for sharing your story with me!

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bevelwerks

Thoughts and prayers to you and your family my friend. Appreciate you sharing a story so personal.

The only thing I can think of to share is that when my wife and I got married, we set out our favorite books on tables and asked that our friends and family add there well-wishes inside. These were already items we cherished for but with added sentiments inside they’ve taken on added weight and meaning for us.

As an older brother, your story hit home… thank you again for sharing, and reminding me to give him a call more often ♥️

What a beautiful idea!  I'd love to do the same with my beloved some day soon.  On books, the last thing Drew left me before he passed was a book he made full of everything he knew to guide @coaxial_katie on our first summer away from home.  Wouldn't you know it, we're shooting for Seattle!  My older siblings grew up in the Grays Harbor area, and we moved down to Arizona when I was young, so he enlightened me with everything I'd need to know about coping with the weather, allergies (not a lot down here) food, everything.  I'm sure as a big brother you've gotten to share similar things with your own brother.  Take it from me, even if it doesn't seem like it sometimes, we always listen.  Drew made very few great decisions, but he was still my hero.  Big brothers are always heroes to us younger ones.

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God’s grace and peace be with you. May you look at any watch, seeing the time of day but also acknowledging and appreciating the time you two shared together.  

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So sorry to hear about your brother. It sounds like you were close and got to share some special moments. ❤️

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I'm sorry to hear that, and I am sorry for your loss. I hope the watch can help you remember the good times you've had together. 

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thanks for sharing this story. this highlights how watches mean so much to all of us here. it is beyond form, function and monetary value - it is a tangible repository of emotions, feelings and memories that money cannot buy. 

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Such an emotional story. Sorry for your loss. This remind us that watches can be more a sentimental thing than just a mechanical thing. Some of our watches are more important for us independently of the price because the remind and emotional side of the watch are more important for the majority. And not only for the watch enthusiast.

I lost my grandfather few years ago. He was watchmaker for Longines and Wittnauer and I find a watch he has build himself at the watchmaker school.

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It mean a lot for me... It also good to know that someone else in the family was into watches.

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coaxial_thamuel

Matthew, I'm so sorry to hear that.  What an amazing thing you were able to do for your niece!  It really is a strange thing to lose a brother, let alone a Drew.  I really don't think our minds are made to compute life without them.  I hope you've found a bit of peace in this short time since, and thank you so much for sharing your story with me!

Thank you for the kind words and for sharing your story. I have to admit it has been hard. He was the closest to me, both in age and in outlook, so we were also best friends and had lived together numerous times over the years during the times when we were both single. We shared apartments in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Cleveland, and Tucson over the years. I am only now starting to be able to think of him without breaking down (even now, writing about him, I feel the tears hovering).

You know, it's also a strange coincidence that the watch you gave him was a G Shock, because I bought G Shocks for my father and two other brothers as a memorial of Drew. 😀 I got my dad a GWM500, my brother Chris a GW7900, and my brother James a GAS100. I tried to select the watches for each of them.

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Sorry to hear about your brother but I love the story and memories you shared. 

When my Dad passed I got 2 pocket watches and his old Indiglo Timex. The one pocket watch is a cheap Quartz but this beauty is an Automatic. 

3SOGEHexgh5tmV1SP5ExMOAbbtV0VVgzCMby1wNX.png?h=320&ixlib=php-3.3.1&s=a513d4b529a10d6f787c50a641a65e9b

It actually use to be my Uncle Johns but when he passed away my Aunt gifted it to my dad. I actually treasure the Timex the most as I remember laying in bed with Dad at night and him showing me Indiglo (it was the 80s didn't take much to amaze a kid).

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May his memory be a blessing.

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I apologise for the clichés and I know I can't really help but I want to say I'm sorry for your loss. He'll always live on in your heart and good memories. You're in our thoughts and I'm sure he's at peace.

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thewatchpanther

thanks for sharing this story. this highlights how watches mean so much to all of us here. it is beyond form, function and monetary value - it is a tangible repository of emotions, feelings and memories that money cannot buy. 

Reminders of the time we have... and now he's got all the time he could ever want!

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Robinwatch

Such an emotional story. Sorry for your loss. This remind us that watches can be more a sentimental thing than just a mechanical thing. Some of our watches are more important for us independently of the price because the remind and emotional side of the watch are more important for the majority. And not only for the watch enthusiast.

I lost my grandfather few years ago. He was watchmaker for Longines and Wittnauer and I find a watch he has build himself at the watchmaker school.

Image

It mean a lot for me... It also good to know that someone else in the family was into watches.

What an amazing way to remember him by!!  What an incredible career too.  The love that watch has clearly been shown... that's a special thing.  Thank you for sharing it.

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LumegaudAnar

Thank you for the kind words and for sharing your story. I have to admit it has been hard. He was the closest to me, both in age and in outlook, so we were also best friends and had lived together numerous times over the years during the times when we were both single. We shared apartments in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Cleveland, and Tucson over the years. I am only now starting to be able to think of him without breaking down (even now, writing about him, I feel the tears hovering).

You know, it's also a strange coincidence that the watch you gave him was a G Shock, because I bought G Shocks for my father and two other brothers as a memorial of Drew. 😀 I got my dad a GWM500, my brother Chris a GW7900, and my brother James a GAS100. I tried to select the watches for each of them.

That makes me smile.  We're a strange breed of people, those of us enthralled by this hobby, that you found a way to show your love to your father and siblings in a way that was so permanent and authentic to yourself I'm sure means everything.  I'm so glad your brother was such a present part of your life, not all are as lucky as we have been.

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thatguy306

Sorry to hear about your brother but I love the story and memories you shared. 

When my Dad passed I got 2 pocket watches and his old Indiglo Timex. The one pocket watch is a cheap Quartz but this beauty is an Automatic. 

3SOGEHexgh5tmV1SP5ExMOAbbtV0VVgzCMby1wNX.png?h=320&ixlib=php-3.3.1&s=a513d4b529a10d6f787c50a641a65e9b

It actually use to be my Uncle Johns but when he passed away my Aunt gifted it to my dad. I actually treasure the Timex the most as I remember laying in bed with Dad at night and him showing me Indiglo (it was the 80s didn't take much to amaze a kid).

What a gorgeous Waltham, amazing that it's brought comfort to two generations!  As a kid myself in spirit and age, I empathize.  My own dad was the first to give me a watch, of course a Timex with Indiglo.  Something about Timex, they're always proof that a watch can be a special thing without being a superfluous thing; that the value of being on time has worth all to itself.  The lessons we learn in the most unexpected ways... 

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Scooby

I apologise for the clichés and I know I can't really help but I want to say I'm sorry for your loss. He'll always live on in your heart and good memories. You're in our thoughts and I'm sure he's at peace.

The truth is never a cliché, and I know you mean it truthfully.  Thank you.  It's been so comforting to realize I get to spend the rest of my life side by side with my brother.  In a way we're closer now than we've ever been!

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Sorry for your loss.

That custom G-Shock you gave him was a beautiful gift, and now it will make you remenber your brother with a smile everytime you look at your wrist.