Gransnet forums

Chat

Have you ever dropped something in shock after hearing bad news

(43 Posts)
OldJoints Mon 27-Jan-20 16:08:25

This is usually something that happens in a movie but last night it happened to me for real.

I was reading my book while watching the TV. When the news broke about Kobe Bryant. Now I've never heard of him so it didn't really hit me that much. Then they announced that his daughter was on board and my heart just sank. The book fell straight out of my hand and landed on my lap. How devastating for his wife and 3 other children. Can't even imagine what they're going through right now. I learnt this morning there was 7 others on board with them. May they all rest in peace.

The other time was when Princess Diana died. I think everyone remembers where they were on that day. I was just waking up and got up to make myself a cup of tea. I turned on the radio and was getting a mug out when I heard "Diana is dead, Princess of Wales killed during a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in France" I just went numb and the mug slipped from my fingers and shattered at my feet. Tears started to roll down my cheeks. Straight away I went to turn on the TV. Can't remember how long I was sitting in front of it. Must of been 3 hours or more. Didn't even feel like eating I was so devastated.

Sorry if this is a bit depressing for a Monday but I'm just intrigued to know. The brain fascinates me and sometimes life hits you so hard it forgets to function. Remember to treasure every moment you have with your loved ones. OJ.

Madmaggie Wed 29-Jan-20 10:57:38

I can remember being told by by a work colleague that my boss had died. He was a super boss and a great family man. I knew he'd been unwell on and off for a while & I had nagged him to go to the doctor. By the time he did it was too late & he died as a result of throat cancer but he'd kept the diagnosis from us. Its never happened since but I can remember letting out a sound that was a laugh - yet I was utterly sad & shocked. I was mortified. I've been told since that its not uncommon & its grief. I could only think of his lovely wife & how proud he was of his son planning to enter the air force.

lucywinter Wed 29-Jan-20 11:07:13

Not quite the same thing but I did actually wet myself when an electric wall socket went BANG! and my hand went black.

inishowen Wed 29-Jan-20 12:16:32

For me it was the Twin Towers. We were driving to Galway for a short break after seeing our son off. He was on his way to Australia via America. We heard Steve Wright say a plane had crashed into the first tower and at first thought it was an accident but more and more news came in as we drove. When we got to our hotel in Galway the receptionist could hardly function. Everyone was standing around a television. For the next three days we had no contact with our son. He had no mobile phone at the time. His flight was cancelled but eventually he was put on another which avoided America. We were distraught until we heard he was safe. That time in Galway will stay with me. There was a pall of shock everywhere we went. A silence in the pubs.

moggie57 Wed 29-Jan-20 12:33:13

I get upset at young children dying or animals.i usually sit down and pray about that situation

ReadyMeals Wed 29-Jan-20 13:06:57

I've not dropped anything from shock as I think my muscles tighten and grip harder rather than the other way around. The time I drop things is if I try to pick something up too soon after waking in the morning. My hands just don't seem to have any grip early on in the day.

Rosina Wed 29-Jan-20 13:43:30

A very close friend was ill in hospital but we were hopeful of a good outcome; I glanced at my mobile while talking to my OH and saw a message from his wife to say he had died during the night. It was completely involuntary but I flung the phone across the room - my arm jerked away from my body as if I was trying to 'get rid' of what I had just read.

Summerfly Wed 29-Jan-20 14:37:46

I can’t remember being shocked over a celebrity dying but I awoke one morning to find my beautiful baby daughter had died during the night. I’d got up and made her a bottle (Unfortunately I couldn’t breast feed) When I found her I dropped the bottle in shock and I fell on the floor. I just seemed unable to move or walk. It was a cot death. That was fifty years ago but it still breaks my heart. In those days there wasn’t any counselling offered. I eventually had two more wonderful children but she has never been forgotten.

KatyK Wed 29-Jan-20 14:44:52

Some very sad stories here. We can certainly have physical reactions to shock.. I was at the hospital supporting my brother and SIL when their 16 year old son died after two years of gruelling treatment for leukemia. When he died his mother had a type of fit. She collapsed with her arms and legs flailing. It was horrendous.

SueDonim Wed 29-Jan-20 14:45:46

Oh, Summerfly. I can’t even begin to imagine that. I’m so sorry, and to all who have lost children especially. It’s just so wrong and against the natural order of things. sad flowers

Lilyflower Wed 29-Jan-20 15:04:05

Last year when I knew my mum didn't have long to live I sat by her bed and had the strangest experience. I felt my whole being was intensified and mum's face was all I could see. When I was told a little later she had slipped away in the early hours I was violently ill for days. It sounds melodramatic but it was all real and true.

Lilyflower Wed 29-Jan-20 15:06:03

And I feel very, very sorry for all the people who have posted on this thread who have had such terrible losses.

grandtanteJE65 Wed 29-Jan-20 15:13:40

I have never dropped anything due to a shock, but I have started shaking all over.

Princess Diana died the day after my parents' Golden Wedding anniversary, which is the only reason I remember when she died. I am amongst the few people who never liked her and thought her highly unsuited to be Princess of Wales.

Lizzytut Wed 29-Jan-20 16:08:30

Summerfly I have empathy for you I too have an Angel daughter when the matron at the hospital told us my Mum started crying and I remember looking at Mum and thinking "what are you crying for" I really hadn't taken it in

Summerfly Wed 29-Jan-20 16:54:01

Lizzytut.
?

SueDoku Wed 29-Jan-20 18:43:03

Years ago, I was at work when the manager of my Mum's care home rang and said baldly, 'Bit of bad news Sue - your Mum's died' (very sudden and unexpected) and I found myself on the floor, having fainted. It was such a shock...
Then, last year, I got a phonecall in the middle of the night from a lifelong friend to say that his son (young and healthy, married with two small children) had collapsed and died - I couldn't utter a word except, 'Oh, oh, oh'. Literally not another word would come out - my brain just felt totally overwhelmed. Very odd sensation

MamaCaz Wed 29-Jan-20 19:00:19

I have certainly never fallen to the floor -yet!

I sometimes think I must be strange, because, I can be reduced to tears on reading or hearing of the death of a stranger, while my reaction to the death of a family member has so far been very measured - when my brother and his then girl friend turned up unexpectedly many years ago to tell me that my grandad had died, I held it together until they had gone, even making them a meal, before crying after they had left.
Perhaps similarly, when my dad died a couple of years ago, I held it together until after his funeral over two weeks later, at which I had no problem talking about him, before losing it (in private).

That said, so far I have been blessed in that none if our family deaths have been untimely. I can't begin to imagine how I would react if suddenly told that a younger family member had suddenly died!

Daisyboots Thu 30-Jan-20 00:12:54

I dropped my phone in shock yesterday morning after my closest friend rang me to tell me that the boy who had been stabbed to death on Monday afternoon in South London was out mutual friend's son. That was such a shock as I had known him since he was a toddler. I still cant believe it today.

I knew about Diana earlier than it was on the news because my husband was working in the press at that time. He rang me to say he didnt know when he would be home because Princess Diana had died and it looked as if they would be doing a new edition of the Sunday papers. I turned the TV and radio on and it was a little while later it was announced.