Is not only for soldiers in combat - it happens in everyday life too.

You will ALWAYS regret that you didn't see someone one last time, or that at some point you didn't make amends for some argument, or even that you dont feel anything in particular about someone's death.

When someone close to you dies, it's time to take stock of yourself and decide that if it were YOU, is there anything about your life that needs attention?

I just lost a fellow officer, and I didn't think I'd take it as hard as I did - but it was pretty messy when I broke down.

After a few days remember that the person you're trying to honor would probably want you to laugh, remember them fondly and renew your relationships with those who are important to you - it's what I would want people to do.

Be with your mom, take care of things without asking her what she needs done. Clean the kitchen, wash and fill her car with gas. Honor the gift he gave you in his will, and decide how he meant you to receive it. It's clear that even if he had other people in his former life to leave these things to, he chose YOU to leave them to, he must have thought you were a decent person - and he must have loved your mom very much.

Cry, drink, get hung over - tell stories about him to anybody who will listen - ask your mom to tell you things, don't just stew - TALK!

I feel for you man, I really do...