Thursday, January 20, 2011

Widows Resource: Should We Have A 'Memorial Wall?'

I'd love some feedback from you. I'm wondering if it might be nice to have our own "Memorial Wall."

I'm picturing a tab at the top of this site where people could capture the day life changed forever: write down their loved one's name, the date, and maybe a sentence or two. Something like that, but I'm not sure--I'd really appreciate your opinion!

I think I'd organize it by date; that would be a good prompter to pray for that widow and her family on that day, don't you think? 

Here's a sample format. You'd send me the following information:
Date of passing (day/month/year)
Your first name
Your spouse's name and cause of death
If you had kids, their names and ages at time of death
Optional: A sentence or two that you'd like to say

I want enough information to give a mental snapshot, but only 'just enough' info.
I want to protect your identity:
  • You'll know who you are, and your friends and family can find your listing.
  • Others will see your listing and find comfort in what they have in common with you, yet you'll retain your privacy.
Using Tom and I as "guinea pigs," and thanks so much to Megan and Cathi for this test run--even more would help start this up so send in your info if you'd like to give it a try. Although I'd sure like some tasteful graphics, here's basically how it'd look on the page, in order by month and day:

The Day Life Changed Forever
JANUARY
1/15/2011 * Lucy Anne * husband age 51 - from end-stage MS * sons Luke 23, Jake 20
FEBRUARY
2/13/2009 * Bridgett * Kent - brain cancer * Joshua (7), Ethan (5) and Nolan (4) * 2 Cor. 1:9 & 1 Thes. 4:13-14
2/15/2000 * Ferree * Bruce-brain anyuerism * Brooke,19; Lisa,16; Brad, 14 * We'll love you forever. (grateful God sent Tom, remarried in 2002).
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
6/10/2010 * Rebecca * Scott - brain cancer * Olivia(5) and Lily (1)
JULY
7/12/2009 * Megan * Matt - drowned * Jacob, turned 18 the next day.
AUGUST
8/30/2008 * Cathi * Earl - heart attack at 55 years of age * Michael, 33; Matthew (deceased at age 13); and Melissa, 27 (since deceased 10/28/2008 in a car accident); * Earl and Melissa were absolutely the nicest people I have ever known. *
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
11/08/2010 * Stephanie * Greg - oral cancer * Luke, 7; Dylan, 17 * My love, my life, my everything.
11/10/2010 * Ruth * Jake - Pancreatic Cancer * Steve, adult; Granddaughter Kai, 5; I am thankful for 38 years,being married to my best friend.
DECEMBER
12/18/2000 * Tom * Marilyn - ovarian cancer * Aaron, 10. 

Please send in your opinions and ideas, likes and dislikes. Send in your info and I'll add it right in to this post so we can get an idea of how it'd look with more listings before I decide to actually build it, OK? Thanks so much for any help you can offer me on this.
ferree

18 comments:

  1. This would be a good idea,I think.We each have that memory wall in our hearts.
    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the idea and the opportunity to pray for others. If you decide to do this, my information follows.

    My information~
    8-30-2008
    Cathi
    Earl - heart attack at 55 years of age
    Michael 33, Matthew (deceased at age 13), and Melissa 27 (since deceased 10-28-2008 in a car accident)
    Earl and Melissa were absolutely the nicest people I have ever known.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 7/12/2009. Megan. Matt - drowned. Jacob, turned 18 the next day.

    ReplyDelete
  4. 8/11/2010
    Stephanie
    Greg - oral cancer
    Luke 7, Dylan17
    My love, my life, my everything.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a great idea, Ferree!
    Here's my information:
    2/13/09
    Bridgett
    Kent - brain cancer
    Joshua (7), Ethan (5) and Nolan (4)
    2 Cor. 1:9 & 1 Thes. 4:13-14

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is obviously a need. I, too, claim I Thessalonians 4:13-14, soon and very soon.
    Cathi

    ReplyDelete
  7. Please add me, too.
    June 10, 2010
    Rebecca
    Scott - brain cancer
    Olivia(5) and Lily (1)

    Thanks Ferree!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just found your site. My husband passed into his eternal home January 15, 2011 from end-stage MS, age 51, sons Luke 23, Jake 20
    Lucy Anne

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Lucy Anne, I'll be praying for you. I'm so sorry for your loss, but I think it's good you've found this site. Searching through the resources here will be helpful, and be sure to let me know if you have any questions. I can't always get back to you right away because I work outside the home, but I will reply. If you're on Facebook, you're welcome to friend me and there are a couple resources there too. May you know the Lord is holding you close. fbh

    ReplyDelete
  10. 09/26/07 Carol; Tim-43 years old, blood clot lodged in lungs; Nathaniel (2 1/2), Kathryn (10 months); Romans 8:28, I'm closer now to my savior Jesus Christ than ever in my life. God blessed me 3 years later with Chris, and a 2nd chance at life~

    ReplyDelete
  11. The Memorial Wall is up today. Just go to the top of the blog, right under the header. If you want to add your info to it, you can either use the comment box here, or email me at WCPlace@gmail.com
    Either way, I'll post it to the Wall from now on, so be sure to check there. Also, I'm open to suggestions and improvements, so please let me know any ideas you have. Love to all.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Alan Cardiac Arrest January 20, 2011. My Love I Miss You. You Are With Jesus Now and i Want To Tell You So Much That If I Had to Do It All Over Again, i Would be A Better Wife & Friend. I Love You & I Always Will. You Loved Me Like No Other Man Could & Will Again. You Made Me See That We Are Able to Love Because Jesus Loved Us First.

    ReplyDelete
  13. 3/12/13
    Dan- 50 years old; heart attack
    Elizabeth (16)
    I'll love you forever and always <3

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dear Amy, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's such a shock and heartbreak. I've added your listing to the Memorial Wall tab here at Widows Christian Place, and here's the link: http://www.widowschristianplace.com/p/memorial-wall.html
    Love to you and your daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  15. 6/1/2009 Paul - age 52; lymphoma
    LeAnne (22), Monica (19), Shelby (13)
    I lost both my best friend & pastor

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear "Unknown" please send me your first name, too, and I'll be able to add this to our Memorial Wall. I'm so sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  17. My sweet husband, Tony, died Tuesday, November 2, 2010 on a blazingly beautiful autumn day from sepsis resulting in cardio-pulmonary collapse just 13 days after his 63rd birthday and 29.8 years of marriage.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Sheila, I've added your sweet tribute to the Memorial Wall page and you may easily find it any time by clicking the Memorial Wall tab at the top of the home page. Click here, too, and scroll down to the November listings. God bless you. http://www.widowschristianplace.com/

    ReplyDelete

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