Acts of Simple Kindness for Kids of Widows and Widowers

I was going to write an original blog post to start the new year, but came across a wonderful article by Carol Brody Fleet, Founder of Widows Wear Stilettos, and it is so good, I’m going with that instead!   I hope you find this as helpful as I did.

Karen

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It’s that time of year again.

We are all getting peppered and pelted with those endless ads and commercials designed to help you “start the New Year right” with all of the same old worn-out, been-there-tried-it-gave-it-up resolutions — eat less, work out more, quit this, start that, spend less, save more, get out of debt — but not before you hit the “one-day-only sale” that seems to take place once a week.

Understanding that like me, you may be tired of typical New Year’s resolutions, I am delighted to present to you 10 widowed resolutions for your happy new year. These resolutions are meant to bring you peace, comfort and most of all, ownership of both your Healing Journey and ultimately, your life. Permission to print out and keep in front of you year-round is both granted and strongly suggested:

http://www.garagesalegal.com/pdfs/articles_pdfs/A_419_column__243-ask.pdf

ASK’s 2011 Rummage Sale was one for the books!  We raised a lot of money for families in need and required a street closure permit, 30 tables and an entire 24 foot truck PACKED with rummage sale goodies!

Have you seen our June newsletter?  Here it is!

ASK – June Newsletter

Absolutely heartbreaking story about a 12 year old boy who was bullied for a variety of reasons, including the death of his father when he was 4 years old.  This treatment of our children must stop!

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/01/12002590-happy-kid-kills-himself-over-bullying-at-two-nyc-schools?lite

Here’s an interesting article about children who are caregivers…  The boy in this story is just 13 years old, taking care of his ill mother.  His father died 2 years ago so everything is on his shoulders.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/17/health/cnnheroes-siskowski-youth-caregivers/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

We’ve started planning Pins of Hope 2013!!!  Stay tuned for details over the next few months, but in the interim, please enjoy a peek into Pins of Hope 2012.  We had a great time raising money to help kids of widows and widowers.  We hope to see you next February!

I’ve received such great comments about the video that appears on our “Welcome” page, as well as on our video gallery link to YouTube.  That was created by Jennifer S., a local high school student.  She created the video as part of a project for a high school class and did a phenomenal job with it!   Jennifer’s family are neighbors and friends of ours and they’ve been so supportive of Allen and I since Steve’s death.  Everyone needs neighbors like them!  She is headed to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in the Fall — and from the looks of our video, she’s headed in the right direction!

Welcome to ASK’s new website!

This has been a labor of love, sweat and tears over the last few months but I’m so proud to share it with you!  I hope you’ll find this website easier to navigate and to find the information you need.  We’ve added a lot of helpful information for widows and widowers, and for helping children who have lost a parent.

Have you wanted to ask other widows or widowers, or children who have lost a parent, a question, wondered what they thought or do you have a situation you’re struggling with that another widow/er or child could help you work through?  Then check out our “Ask a Widow” and “Ask a Kid” section — questions and answers will be posted on our blog so that others can benefit too.

Thanks for visiting!

Karen