Blog Action Day 2012: The Power of We
October 12, 2012 by Lillie
Each year, thousands of bloggers around the world participate in Blog Action Day—every blogger writing on a single theme. This year’s theme is “The Power of We,” and the official date for Blog Date Action Day is October 15th. My post will be different from what I might have written at a different time in my life and different from most other bloggers.
Instead of approaching the subject from the perspective of giving, I am approaching the topic from the perspective of receiving.
On September 23rd, I became a widow. Instead of being the strong, independent woman I have always been,I am temporarily needy and dependent on others. Family and friends have joined together to make this transition much easier for me. They, my family and friends, are we–using their power to make life easier for someone else–in this case me.
Within a few minutes of Jack’s death, my house was filled with family and friends who came to support me. Our priest arrived shortly after Sunday services ended. The hospice nurse handled all the details with the medical examiner and the funeral home. The next day, four loved ones went with me to make the funeral arrangements. A family member took me to the bank and helped me with business matters. A friend took me shopping for an outfit for the funeral. Other people called to offer help or brought food or ran errands. Family and friends made a beautiful memory board of photos and mementos to display at the visitation and reception after the funeral. Church members prepared a reception where family and friends expressed their condolences and shared memories of Jack’s life. The visitation and funeral were absolutely beautiful, thanks to the funeral home personnel, the church staff, our priest, and the military honor guard.
The support didn’t end with the funeral. My office was in a portable building in the backyard, and it’s getting harder for me to go up and down the steps. Family and friends have spent several days rearranging furniture in the house to clear a room for my office; moving furniture, books, files, and office supplies into the house; and organizing my new office. People are bringing me meals, helping with chores, and calling or visiting regularly.
I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful support system, and all those friends, family members, and church family who make up that support system are making a difficult time much easier.
Most Blog Action Day participants will probably write about the power of organized groups to effect significant change in the world. Those groups and changes are very important and should be recognized. At the same time, let’s not forget about the difference that we can make in the life of an individual who is going through a tough time. I’m very thankful for the difference that my friends and family are making in my life right now.
Wow! What a great idea with Blog Action day! I will see if I can find time to write a post for my own blog before the 15th of October!
Mikkel,
I had the wrong date on my blog calendar! Since there were already a couple of comments on this post, I scheduled a post for the 15th linking to this post. Hope to read your post.
Lillie I came to your blog after couple of months due to some business matters. I started reading the first post about Blog Action Day….oh my God what a sad sad news I got about the death of Jack on 23 Sep. I am really so sad on this.
Please accept my heartiest condolence on the sad demise of Jack. May God rest his soul in peace and give you courage & strength to bear this irreparable loss.
I am really soooo very sad I can’t express it.All my sympathies and prayers are with you.May God Bless you
Ejaz,
Thank you for your condolences. I am compiling a book of memories of Jack. Friends and family are giving me stories.
Lillie My prayers and sincere regards will always be with you. You know yourself that you have to face the life now with courage and confidence. I can only pray for you which I will always.
Thank you for your prayers, Ejaz. I know my life will be very different now.
Lillie,
This is such a beautiful post! You are truly surrounded by amazing people.
Victoria,
I am overwhelmed by the love and support I am receiving.
You are too rich as there are lot sincere friends around you.
Yes, Nawaz, I am very rich in friends and support.
[...] Today is Blog Action Day. Thousands of bloggers around the world are posting on the theme of “The Power of We.” I wrote my post a few days early. You can read it at Blog Action Day 2012: The Power of We. [...]
You’re post today brought me to tears. One for your loss of an amazing man, and two, because of the amazing church, friends and family who have stepped up in a major way to be there for you. It does my heart good to see such compassion and love.
Dominique,
I am so blessed and so grateful for my many blessings.
You’re so blessed with people who truly love you Lillie! Just be strong.
Jane,
I am very blessed and appreciate all the support I’m getting.
Lillie it is very difficult to live without a life partner. There is no alternative of good life partner.Now you have to lead your life with patience and always pray to Almighty.
Maja,
I know I will have a difficult time, but I’m at peace knowing that my husband was at home where he wanted to be and now is in his eternal home.
An innovative shift in attitude, Lillie. But I do understand it might have come naturally to you, taking the recent circumstances into consideration. Most bloggers do talk about major organizations when writing on the power of We. Thank you for involving me and all your other readers in the trouble you had to go through.
Lina,
I think it’s natural that we write about things are most relevant in our lives at the time we are writing.
When the Lord said “I will never leave you or forsake you,” I didn’t realize how that would literally play out in the deaths of my Mom and Gra’ma. People surrounded me with their care and I found them to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
Sally,
So true–the hands and feet of Jesus in the form of family and friends have helped tremendously.
Lillie, so glad you had such a strong amount of support from your family and friends during such a difficult time in your life. They truly are angels for helping you in such a way. God bless you.
Thank you, Dawn. I am blessed indeed.
You are blessed that you are surrounded by loving and caring people. Having the support of the people in your community can really make a difference in dealing with untoward circumstances such as this.
Yes, Elaine, I am very blessed with caring family, friends, and church family.