I can't remember if I said this the other day to OP, but don't be afraid or too proud to seek professional help if your depression does not lift.

But to people who are already prone to depression or not in great shape to begin with, the death of a loved one can certainly push them over the edge and into a deep dark place, that sometimes you need help getting out of.

I was concerned at first that would happen to me, but I"m feel better the last couple of days, although some tear today watching PR at the theater.

FunkiestOne said:

I can't remember if I said this the other day to OP, but don't be afraid or too proud to seek professional help if your depression does not lift.

But to people who are already prone to depression or not in great shape to begin with, the death of a loved one can certainly push them over the edge and into a deep dark place, that sometimes you need help getting out of.

I was concerned at first that would happen to me, but I"m feel better the last couple of days, although some tear today watching PR at the theater.

Thanks. Definitely gonna be talking to a therapist when I get home.

AnonymousFan said:

In some ways this is harder than going through the loss of a family or close friend. We don't have any ritual to go through to close things off and right now we are hanging on to the news and views of the sensationalist media. It was a sudden death which is a trauma for us as observers. Cry and laugh as you need to and be kind to yourself Anonymous Fan. If you need help, ask for it.

MissMarySharon said:

Exetergirl said:

In some ways this is harder than going through the loss of a family or close friend. We don't have any ritual to go through to close things off and right now we are hanging on to the news and views of the sensationalist media. It was a sudden death which is a trauma for us as observers. Cry and laugh as you need to and be kind to yourself Anonymous Fan. If you need help, ask for it.

I agree--this is part of what I was trying to say in my earlier post. We don't have a ritual to participate in while the emotions go on.

I, too, kept hoping it was a dream or a fake story. My daughter heard the news at the gym, and she came home to tell me. She walked in the door, saw me crying and knew that I knew. My whole family and all my friends knew how much I loved him and his music, since I first heard him back in the 1980's.

I was comforted in seeing the outpouring of love from the music community, worldwide. It was good to know that he touched and influenced so many, over his brief lifetime.

[Edited 4/24/16 18:36pm]

Like so many of you, I too am hurt.

If I dwell on it too much, it will sound as though I am selfish. I am mad that Prince has been taken away from me... from us. I am mad that he provided me with so much of "who I am" - I've really felt that since I was 10 in 1980, as listening to his words helped me get through life! As I struggled in my teens with my sexuality - conforming to the rules of society - finding love (it didn't matter with whom) - being free - and questioning God (remember the notion that "God is love"?)... it seemed like Prince was my friend, my big brother, a shoulder when I needed it, a voice I would listen to. This relationship never ended - and now I am 45. I've gone to every close concert I could, bought everything I could get my hands on (legally and bootleg), watched every televised appearance as it happened, and learned every word to all the songs. It seemed like this just wouldn't end!


I too have lost it - thinking I cannot get over this tragedy. Just then, I stopped my thought on the last sentence I wrote. I wanted to write, "I cannot get over this tragedy that happened to me." But reading what you all have written, seeing the news as it is revealed, getting mad at so many things that are completely out of my control, seeing the tributes from all around the world, seeing and hearing other artists pay their respects (Clapton, Wonder, Springstein, Gaga, Timberlake, etc.), seeing family at the memorial... I realize this situation has affected everyone. I didn't think I could get over it... and still wonder if I ever will. But I know I won't. I won't because he is too much of who I am... every fiber of my being nods to a particular lyric, a song, a video, a moment (including that time Prince acknowledged ME in the front row at the Denver Pepsi Center at the 'Musicology' tour -- THANK YOU NPG MUSIC CLUB!). It has taken time, a lot of thinking, NO SLEEP, and constant memories... but I am slowly realizing he will never leave me. Who knows, I am likely to get a Prince tattoo soon so as that he will physically be with me all the time... but in spirit, he will live on THROUGH ME!


I encourage you all to think that way: Let Prince live on through you!

How?

NEVER forget his greatness. Don't stop listening to his voice, his word, his message. Take whatever you can get out of it and apply it! If that means giving spare change the next time you see a homeless person because you remember "Money Don't Matter 2Night" - do it! If you feel like dancing because you "know about the quake" - by all means, let loose! There are countless examples you can add; in fact, live your life making those examples a reality!


WE are so fortunate to say, "We were there!" We went to his concerts; got as close to him as we could; bought his merchandise the FIRST time it was available; blasted his music while driving; wore the tee shirts, had the bumper stickers (mine was "I'm listening to Prince just to piss you off!"); saw him do the splits; saw the 4 movies in the theater; knew the trivia (yes ET, I DO KNOW he wrote the Bangles' "Manic Monday"!); danced to him during the prom; played him during sex; put him on a mixtape for our friends; we watched him introduce us to new music and musicians; we saw him receive accolades he deserved (some were a longer wait than others) like awards, icon awards, Hall of Fame, seeing his name appear at the top of the charts over and over again, getting standing ovations every time he came out on stage in front of his peers; and playing the Superbowl as the best Half-Time Show EVER!


BE INSPIRED by Prince. He simply loved music. Like Prince, seek out other forms of music, expose yourself to rhythms and sounds... see if you can find influence from Prince or if you can link these things to what Prince might have incorporated. Learn to play musical instruments. Write some poetry. Sing. Buy music and go to concerts; encourage children and other artsist to play. Whatever you do, DO YOU. Why? Because Prince did! Don't be afraid to stand out, be different, or take risks! Remember, this notion came from a man who at one time wore nothing but a trenchcoat and heels onstage! You'll have to agree that Prince was the best at whatever he did. Whatever you do in your life -- try to be the best you can at it; who knows, you might actually be the best (maybe).

It is perhaps cliche to use the slogan, "What Would Jesus Do?" as it applies to Prince, but - really - why not do as Prince would do? He "lived for love," encouraged us to "punch a higher floor when da elevator tried to break us down," and reminded us "it's only mountains." Again, countless examples of applicable lyrics to many of life's situations.

We may not have him in our lives, despite wanting him "forever in our life," but he is indeed a part of all of our lives. He touched us too deeply to be removed this easily. You can say there won't be any more new music, won't see his eyes, won't watch him dance, sing, or play in the sunshine any more; you can even reduce his body to ash... NO!!! YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO TAKE HIM AWAY FROM US!


Seek the Truth -- don't believe the rumors and hearsay you are being hit with yesterday, today, or even the days to come. You already know the truth; he left us all of the answers and he has all along. If you were touched by Prince, in any way, he did his job. He has earned his respect... his rest... his peace... his foreverafter. We must let go. And oh it hurts.... I am crying as I type this... it is unbearable! You know what they say about The Beautiful Ones...


Just as he brought us together as fans, he unites us in our sorrow. Just as we heard what he was saying when we played his records, the message is still there if we just find 'em and play them again... even if it takes a few days, weeks, months, years (whenever you are willing and able)... he will still be there, as he will stand all time.


Don't lose yourself in this time of sorrow. No, there will NEVER be another Prince. But we can choose to say "YES!" and remind ourselves, and the world, THAT HE WAS!

He was the consumate performer, the best friend, the inspiration - aspiration - motivation, the entertainer, the poet, the musician, the singer, the dance, the actor, the philanthropist, the student... and the teacher. He was indeed ... HERE... and we are left behind to never forget and go on living, applying what he taught us!

I wish you all hugs and kisses, shoulders to lean on, pillows to cry in, drinks to down, and healing in whatever way you can receive them. Perhaps this is "The Dawn" that Prince wished for us after all of these years? The important part is that he wanted us to LIVE to see The Dawn. Continue to live your life as a tribute to him... never forgetting what he means to you.

sorry miss clicked

[Edited 4/24/16 18:53pm]

I also don't know about the rest of you, but I have never 'greived' a musican, band, celebrity, etc. Sure, Was I disapoionted when MJ Died for example..sure..But not like this. This is WAY different, Down for days, and I think I get upset for him, not becausehe was alone. I don't know if he would actually mind that.

Moreso, if he was not organized, dressed right, etc. You know he was a perfectionist and those kinds of things would bother him I believe. It also bothers me because I had seen some of the pics you guys spoke of, abd I had similar thoughts but I just said to myself, "well he burns the candle at both ends, and he;s not sleeping like usual." I just wonder what he would say to us if he knew he was really not going to be around the next day. Unless, of course, he did know and someday we will get some message.

Just conflicted about the whole thing and it is very painful. Yet a ton of gratitude for having lived 'with' Prince real time, as things happened. I am glad I was in my teens when her first came on the scene. Our lives so much more enriched musically than those say born in the 80s and onwards.

[Edited 4/24/16 19:02pm]

I'm devistated. I'm in tears while typing this.

Glad to know I'm not alone. I would never have thought that I'd feel this way after a celebrity I didn't know--died. But it feels different. Like a part of me died. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and it will have been a bad dream. Or I'm living in an alternate universe. It wasn't supposed to happen this way. Damn it, why? Fucking sucks.

I will always love Prince.

I would religiously play his music at work, so much that everyone knew who I was playing... every night. To me, his music was my habit, and part of my daily life.

You know that feeling when you're by yourself, listening... there's that one song you love when hits that certain note, the one with true compassion, you can tell that Prince is singing with heart, and that the song you're listening to was made with love.

When Prince hits that one note in the song, and the feelings in your gut change, the hair on your arms stand up, and your eyes well up with a tear, and you can't help but cry out loud in his honor, because you know that his love is now traveling through you. That's his way of sending his love to YOU!

As many have stated on here, I feel like I have lost a family member. This is hard, real hard. We will all make it through, but I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for what you've done here on the org. Reading through these forums truly helps me. I hope it continues to help others too.

passione said:

Not too much to add, only to reiterate I keep hoping it's a dream I will wake up from... seriously. As I have never had great family links Prince was family to me.. lost without him.

I still can't grasp it

morningsong said:

passione said:

Not too much to add, only to reiterate I keep hoping it's a dream I will wake up from... seriously. As I have never had great family links Prince was family to me.. lost without him.

Me too. Even to the point of entertaining the thought he is faking it all and he's on a beach in Fuji. I know that's not true but I've wished it. I now know how Elvis fans must have felt.

I always looked forward to him being 70 years old, showing up unannounced at (insert hot new artist's) show, grabbing their guitar, blistering it for 3-4 minutes, throwing it into the crowd, and pimp-walking out of the venue with 10-20 of that artist's groupies chasing him. Seeing how things came to be, I like to think that he's back to where he started; with his parents, but being welcomed by his now-adult son. His musical journey began with him behind a piano, and it climaxed with him, behind a piano. As an admirer from afar, the sadness still very much exists, but I can't help but feel a weird sense of motivation and inspiration as these days continue to pass. To do what? I don't have a clue yet. But it's definitely positive energy. I can only hope that it works its way through every person he's touched along the way. After all, this is what he would've wanted, right?

still it's just so unreal.. so hard to understand....

We will never get over this, but I know we will learn to have fun again! And we will accidentally find fun again. And you know, we can keep that humor and that energy, that trickster playfullness in our hearts and help plant it's seed in our friends and family, ... our world! I vow to keep his spirit in all my endeavors and relationships, and deep within myself. Even if I grieve now.

ufoclub said:

We will never get over this, but I know we will learn to have fun again! And we will accidentally find fun again. And you know, we can keep that humor and that energy, that trickster playfullness in our hearts and help plant it's seed in our friends and family, ... our world! I vow to keep his spirit in all my endeavors and relationships, and deep within myself. Even if I grieve now.

I´m in a very similar situation and have had the same thoughts. A good way to keep the memories and his spirit alive is to put it into practice in our future and our actions and relations.

Your post cheered me up a bit.

Still feeling down though...and I think this blues will last for a long time.

renfield said: