history: I will never forget the day after my 28th birthday. It already was raining and thundering that morning and the news that came after shocked me.  My mom called me the day after my 28 birthday. Not to wish me happy birthday_comma_ but to delivery awful news.  Oh my goodness_comma_ what was the terrible news? She called and told me our brother had been in a terrible accident and that we needed to come to the ER immediately. 
current: I am so sorry, I hope your brother ended up being okay.
next: No he passed away that day. I will never forget the day after my 28 birthday. It was pretty aweful.