Beautiful, devastating and so real: this captures brotherly love in every way

By now you’ve surely heard the devastating news that Australia’s champion surfer Mick Fanning (yes, the one that punched the shark) has lost his eldest brother to a drug overdose this week.

The 34-year-old surfer has valiantly pushed through two finals heats since finding out, the media zooming in on his heartbroken face, trying to capture the tears he has tried to hide.

The surfer took to Instagram to express his feelings, posting this beautiful message:

I am so grateful for the incredible love and well wishes that have come my way since learning of my eldest brother’s passing this morning. Like all my big brothers, Peter will always be a hero to me. I have so many great memories of the good times we have all spent together and they will be with me forever. We recently caught up and he told me how proud he was of me and how much he loves watching me compete. Today was one of the most challenging days of my life but I knew I could find the strength to take part in the final event of the season because that’s what Pete would want. I also want to give special thanks to my other brothers – my friends on tour – for their support, I couldn’t have got through today without them. I would ask for some privacy on this matter while we come to terms with this devastating loss. Big thanks from our entire family. Tell the special people in your life you love them and give them a hug.

A photo posted by Mick Fanning (@mfanno) on Dec 16, 2015 at 8:40pm PST

At this time of year, there are so many of us who have a loved-one-sized hole in our hearts, remembering the people we lost and miss every day. We can experience a huge melting pot of emotions, from fond memories to heartbreak.

Nothing we’ve seen quite captures the beautiful side of loss as well as this recent ad for the scotch whiskey, Johnny Walker. Timelessly shot with beautiful scenery, it is both devastating and heart-warming at the same time.

Who are you remembering this Christmas?