Old Friends - Good Memories - Sad Realities

How do you prepare to lose someone who has been a main character in your and your families' life since you were in your early 20's? How do you help his mate, his daughter, his son and family who are all counted among your family and best of friends through the days, hours, minutes and seconds to that final moment and after? You don't - if there is one thing I have learned in my many years, there are some things you can not prepare for and the death of a loved one is one of them. I am losing a best friend in the next few weeks. It is inevitable and I steel myself for when the final breath is taken. The emotions are pure and real and you know you need to embrace and feel each one of them. You pray that you will not think of yourself and your own loss but focus on how to help him and his loved ones move forward in the days to follow one step at a time.