Billy Bob Thornton I've Never Been the Same Since My Brother Died Oprah's Master Class

[melissageiger]

My mother was killed in a robbery the day after the Superbowl '92'
She was 49 and I had just turned 20.. I will never get over it. And I still cry when I think about it. She was loved by all who knew her. 💔

[leeturiano]

This video, means the absolute world to me. I'm 54 years old as I write this on July 3rd, 2023. I lost my brother, who was 9 years younger than me, on February 12, 2021, suddenly. I raised him since he was 11 after losing both parents early. He was my best friend, my go to guy, and we had our own language. Essentially, my world. We finished each other's sentences, won hockey championships together and had Marvel/ Fast and Furious "Brother's Days" at the theatres when the big flicks came out. And I lost that connection, and have been cut in half and adrift ever since. I'm still here, and I forge on and honor him daily, but the joy is missing. The world has lost it's color, and the very air is not the same. When I saw this video, it was the very first time I ever heard or saw someone take the feeling and explanation from my head, and say it where I could see it myself. It was like I said it myself.

I apologize for this long-winded post- who wants to hear it, I know- but I want to say how this struck such a chord in me, and showed that I wasn't alone feeling this exact way. I also want to say I'm sorry, and I wish love and strength to anyone else who has lost that same connection, and also want to say that despite the unbelievable pain, do not give up on this life. We owe it to them to fight on for them, and owe it to those still here that care about us to try and rebuild who we once were.

God bless you all....and I love and miss you, Jason. I'm working on it....

[alexandercordova]

I lost my brother almost 5 years ago and my life and families lives haven’t been anything close to the same since… the 50% happy 50% sad at any time line really hit

[adavidbujanda]

My sister died from cancer 8years ago, I've never heard anyone else explain it this way, this is exactly how I feel all the time.

[lifewithjimmy]

My baby girl passed away at 2 yrs old of a brain tumor. Then my parents passed away . Billy Bob you described my grief 100%. 😢thank you.

[gena]

Thank you! Stop telling people they will get over it. Some of us never want to get over. But i am content knowing that life is different now. Not better or worse, just different, a piece is gone, that will never be filled. Its impossible to fill and thats ok. Feel, accept and move on.

[alisonmorton]

I just lost my mom 2 months ago. A friend sent me this and how Billy describes loss is exactly what I’m feeling. Sending my condolences to commenters who’ve lost someone they loved

[theresastirling]

My, God, Billy. I lost my son almost 3 years ago. I sent this to my adult children. Your words hit all our chords like no other....

[melissastrickland]

Thank you so much for this Mr. Thornton. I've lost 2 younger brothers. This coming March 18th 2025 it will be 20 years since my 29 year old little brother, my best friend, (I'm only 3 years older but) my own little baby, my giant body building competitor/personal protector, always ready to come and save me even when I didn't need saving- was taken from us riding his Texas Chopper he just bought and was struck by an F-150 when she swung out across the double yellow lines. I have an intensely vivid memory of most days of my life, listening to this video reminded me of when they lowered my brother's casket after the funeral. We were all walking down the hill and suddenly I stopped an thought I'm gonna jump in there with him. I turned around and took a step an stopped because as I looked where the casket was low enough I couldn't see it, something deep inside me said, "I'm already in there." I love you Darren James Bradley, FOREVER.

[sjmcgin]

My son passed away 10 years ago. These words are the best expressed sentiments of what it is like to have a brother, sister, son, daughter or spouse die. Thank you, Billy Bob Thornton!! Your words mean the world to me!

[lisa]

I lost my brother in 1969, he was only 15 years old and I was 14 at the time. He was my hero and my soul mate. Billy Bob is right, you never get over it, I haven’t in 54 years. And I am still over 50% melancholy most of the time. I like to watch this video every so often to remind myself that this is the normal for some of us.

[dillonlynch]

My sister was murdered 3 years ago. I feel like we have fallen apart. I miss my sister. I feel like when it comes to her I’ll never be happy. My other half is gone. But I’m blessed her kids are here and when I am with them the hurt goes away. She meant the world to me. Thank you for this advice.

[rockinreebz]

I was 13 when I lost my mom to terminal cancer.
Been almost 17 years, never ever EVER gets easier.
I'm a month shy of being 30 years old.
So many milestones, ups, downs, good times and bad.
I'll never get over it.

You are validated for feeling the loss.
But don't stop. Never forget them, but keep going loves, forever.

[luvmymunchkins]

I lost my sister to ovarian cancer in April 2022, at the age of 49. She's 23 months older than me. We Were always close. I can probably count on one hand how many times we fought growing up. I miss her so, so much. This makes so much sense to me. Thank you Billy Bob. ❤

[kristinuhrig]

He expresses this better than anyone I have encountered this far after losing my husband of 30 years. I went to grief classes. I went to my church. I went on vacation with our five children once I had all the new responsibilities and finances figured out. It's been five years, and the melancholy just doesn't go away. One person described it as having a profound love with no place to put it. But I think Billy describes it better. At any given time I have 50% happy and 50% sad, and this pervasive melancholy isn't a reflection of a lack of faith, or a lack of confidence in heaven through Jesus Christ. My love for my husband wasn't an idol that I can't live without. It is simply my way of continuing to honor him and the love we shared, and the impact he had on my life. I feel like my right arm as been amputated. And while I am learning how to live with one arm, I'm never going to be the same "care free" person that I was before.

[t.g.]

Lost my little brother, my best friend 3/18/23,
BBT is right on it 50/50 exactly how it is, miss you Frankie so much.

[spacerick]

The not trusting happiness bit hits too close to home. When my younger brother left this world - I had just gotten a new job. Hung out with this girl I had been seeing over 3 or so weeks for a whole weekend. The world was looking up so much - I felt so fucking good. My last great week ended October 20th, 2019 at sometime between 1 and 2 in the morning. I slept through all the calls because I had been drinking happily with my roommates celebrating a good time. I had work the next day so I was out for the count until my alarm. Saw the 30+ missed calls. flood of texts. Called my Mom back right away. Asked if I was sitting. I thought maybe another one of our family dogs had died as we had lost one just a couple weeks before.

I still struggle to fully appreciate when I'm genuinely happy. Afraid to express it, even to myself. Like if I am visibly happy, the universe will punish me again.

[longblacktrain]

I know I haven't been the same in 16 years since I lost my Brother.

[derekwhipkey]

I lost my brother in 2009 he killed himself on his birthday. I found him and tried to revive him. It's been almost 15 yrs since he died. And everything billy Bob just said is so true.

[thejudge]

I just lost my older brother at 39 last month and I feel like I’m never gonna get passed this….. I keep watching this video