Tuesday, June 8, 2010
A few people have been asking me, so I must sadly confirm that blogger Sister Wolf’s oldest son Max passed away on Sunday. Her brief statement is here. Those of you who have been following her blog closely know that he endured many surgeries after an accident last year. Some of her posts about that are here. Sister Wolf is with family and friends and says Max’s friends in particular are being very helpful. That’s all the information I can share right now. I’ve told her that if we can assist her in any way she should let me know.
UPDATED: Sister Wolf says that once she gets online it’s no trouble to read email, so feel free to contact her. She also says that she doesn’t require any specific assistance at this point; funeral arrangements are taken care of. I’ll update this space again if I hear anything different.
UPDATED: Bloggers Deja Pseu and Alicia were able to visit Sister Wolf yesterday. Sister said she is finding great comfort in the messages she’s received from all of you. Alicia noted that the family is very well-stocked with food — in fact, there’s no space left in the fridge — so it’s best not to send anything else.
UPDATED: Max is being buried on Thursday. Sister Wolf has plenty of food and plenty of flowers (thanks to those who inquired about sending both those things), but her heart is breaking because she has no Max. For all of those who want to do something for her, send her a few comforting words if you haven’t already. California bloggers who are able to visit her should feel free to ask her if she can use some company.
UPDATED FRIDAY, JUNE 11: Max was buried yesterday. Sister Wolf asked me to pass this along: “We had a simple Jewish funeral, pine box and no embalming. His best friend sobbed, his fiance said she would fall in love with him all over again even if she knew their time together would be so short, his younger brother was eloquent and poised, people threw guitar picks into his grave, the cantor wept, it will take me forever to let him go.”
Listen to Max’s music here.
Oh that is soooo sad. I adore her. Let me know if there’s anything we can do!
Twitter: ShoeDaydreams
says:
Our thoughts are with her and our hearts go out to her. I’m so sorry, Sister Wolf.
Twitter: juliaohso
says:
Oh my, so sad indeed
My condolences 
Just heartbreaking. Her love for her family is palpable in her writing. Sister Wolf, there’s a virtual world of mothers sending you love and sympathy.
Twitter: dejapseu
says:
Our hearts go out to Sister Wolf.
That is tragic I dont know the whole story but for anyone to loose a child must be the worst thing imaginabl, as a mother of two boys my heart goes out to her xx
Hi Wendy, I’ve just met Sister Wolf, but she and her family and the spirit of her boy are all in my prayers. Sending good vibes. js
Oh, how sad. I’m so sorry to hear this.
This is so heartbreaking. My thoughts are with Sister Wolf and her family. Like the commenter said above, if there’s anything to do, let us know!
Twitter: BonBonRoseGirls
says:
What a tragedy. My prayers will be with her and her family.
Thank you Wendy, I’ve just done the same for tomorrow as also asked. And loved your earlier post but was too sad (ref above) to comment how lovely you looked and I guessed which year on the basis you look younger now!
this is terrible. i am so sorry for the pain that family must be in.
Oh no…… I don’t even know what to say.
Oh no – this is the first I’ve heard of this! My thoughts are with her – she’s such a fantastic strong-willed person that she doesn’t deserve this.
I’m glad to hear that she is surrounded with support, this is good to know. I wish if there would be a way to show her our support. We can overwhelm her personal inbox, or we can organize something online. Somebody needs to volunteer an article and comment section to this cause. We can continue here as well, Wendy?
It would mean to a lot of us to be updated, anybody who is able to meet Sister Wolf, please, give her her a hug in my name and let her know that she’s not alone.
In a lack of better words, my heart goes to Sister Wolf and her family.
Twitter: WendyBrandes
says:
You are more than welcome to use this space, and when she is up to it, I’ll make sure she sees it. I will post any more information she wants to share as well.
I’m going back over there soon. I’ll send your hug on for you.
Twitter: damibe
says:
I am so shocked and sorry, and will do anything I possibly can to express condolences or help.
What dust said. I almost emailed her, but feel bad about filling the in-boxes of people i don’t know with messages during hard times. IT seems to make it all about me. When it should be all about what i can do for them. In this case, i am sure nothing will cure the grief, but if i can do something to make to make the mourning more tolerable I would love to do so. When i am angry and sad and totally overwhelmed, Sister Wolf’s blog makes me laugh, out loud some times. She is a wonderful writer, a fabulous wit, and i get the creepy feeling we might be friends in real life if I knew her. (and of course if i could spell and use proper grammar) She has helped me and i would like to help her back. Even if it is only remembering my apostrophes.
Twitter: WendyBrandes
says:
If/when I find out that we can do something constructive for her, I will definitely let everyone know here. In the meantime, I’ll send her this link and I’m sure she will appreciate everyone’s thoughts. When she resumes blogging, everyone will have another opportunity to say something. In the meantime, I agree with you and Dust that it is better to avoid flooding her with emails that she may not have the time or desire to read.
Twitter: etoilee8
says:
My heart breaks every time I think about this. All day today. It’s not fair when anyone loses a child.
I’m glad to read a post about this so that everyone knows what’s going on. I heard about this tragedy very soon after it occurred, and was unsure how to proceed. I sent a condolence e-mail to Joanne, and that’s where I stopped, because I really didn’t know what she needed. I’m sure she’ll be experiencing an outpouring of blogging support and love.
I send my best wishes to her and her family during this very difficult time.
It is so very desperately sad. Count me in if there is anything I can do beyond some words of consolation.
My heart goes out to her and her family. She’ll be in my thoughts.
I’m she sure she will find a way to cope with this unnecessary tragedy, but things are never going to be the same. Life is so fragile and obviously totally out of our control. This sounds like the rock bottom of it, nothing worse can happen. How does one heal? Forgiven, but not forgotten, they say, does it work both ways?
Max is not going to live this life. Such a pity, so not fair.
I was hasty earlier today and send her an e-mail and blabbed utter nonsense, I admit, so I thought it’s better to warn you good people on time.
Oh, this makes my heart so sad. I don’t know what to say.
I confess I too was hasty and sent an e-mail to Sister Wolf when I read her post, I was so overwhelmed by sadness for her and her family.
My heart goes out to you Sister Wolf, your family and your friends.
You are in my thoughts.
Twitter: WendyBrandes
says:
I just was in touch with her again and she’s up for emails. If she gets overwhelmed, we’ll deal with that then.
this is indeed a tragedy, thanks for letting sister wolf should know that we all care about her, especially in these times. my heart goes out to her.
Oh God, how heartbreaking.
She is in my thoughts…
This is overwhelmingly sad. I just love Sister Wolf’s blog and it tears me up to see her have to go through this. I’m ready to help out in whatever way possible; for now she is in my thoughts. My deepest sympathies to her and her family.
Thank you so much Wendy for communicating her desires during this tragic time. I can’t believe her beautiful boy is gone, all my thoughts and prayers are going out to her and her family.
Yes, thanks for the updates Wendy.
Amazing how you read someone’s thoughts on a blog everyday and they get into your soul.I feel so terrible for Sister Wolf….
So sad for her loss—-what a terrible tragedy….my heart goes out to her.
This is just so sad.
I never actually knew Sister Wolf, but she helped me form a bond with my (now) 12 year old Granddaughter. I consider her my friend. I never knew Max but I went back to something she’d posted. A candle was lit and I listened.
http://maxwolf.org/
My heart and its light goes out to her and her family and friends/ any/everyone affected by this. /hugs
This is so shockingly awful, I just ache for Sister Wolf and her family. I don’t know what to say, Max was so talented he will be sadly missed.
my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family at this awful time.
So terribly shocked and saddened by this news. My thoughts are with sister wolf and her family.
Oh god that is so awful. I don’t know Sister Wolf’s blog or the story but my heart goes out to her. To lose a child is such a terrible thing that no parent ever dreams they would have to go through. Sending love x
i don’t know sister wolf nor have i ever read her blog, but the loss of a loved one is a heart-rending experience, especially after such a long period of transition, for lack of a better word. i hope that she is able to grieve but still enjoy the warmth that her son leaves behind. if there’s anything us outsiders can do, please let us/me know.
warmest regards.
Twitter: maddytweetz
says:
My condolences to Sister Wolf and her family.
My heart is broken for her.
Anything we can do, please tell us. Anything…
Queen Marie
xxx
My dear Sister Wolf,
I’m so sorry. We love you and send you warmest and caring vibes of strength and love. I went in and lit a candle for you and your family yesterday.
xxxxxxx
Twitter: knhannah
says:
there are no adequate words to express this loss; Sister Wolf, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones now. Your love for your family is one of the many things that brings me back to your blog again and again. Will wander down the street at lunch time to light a candle and ward off the darkness.
Thanks Wendy for organising this space.
Dear Sister Wolf – I have been reading your blog for months and years and this year was so heartbroken at so much injustice and tragedy that has hit your family. When you wrote us about Max, I felt as if I had lost a true friend – I have been mourning all week; I lit a cluster of candles for him and his travels and to wish something, anything for you, to help ease what you must be going through. Thank you for the glimpses I had of Max, this fine, fine man from a fine, fine mother – thank you for sharing him with all of us, out here in the ether and know that there are people grieving for him around the world.
This is one of those times I am at lose for what to say. Nothing can bring Sister Wolf son back and saying how sorry one is to hear the news seems very “usual” since you just join a chorus.
I send good vibes her way and hope that some sunshine can peek through the sorrow of her son’s passing and let her know he is doing fine where he is now.
Fuck! Just… oh my god.
My heart goes out to you SW.
Twitter: stylishthought
says:
That is such sad and unfortunate news and I wish her family nothing but the best to get through such a difficult time.
You are a caring person and good friend, Wendy B.
SW, I sent you an email. I am so very, very sorry.
Thank you, Wendy, for updates.
Twitter: juliaohso
says:
This is so tragic
May he rest in peace.
W: Thank you for this update.