Last year, 2011, I wrote a post for the first International Widows day and I have added to that post for today’s post!

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If you read just one blog of mine, this would be in the stack of ones that I hope you would read and that you would follow through with and share with others.

June 23

has been slated as the “official”

International Widows Day

recognized around the world by the United Nations!

How nice is this to be here during this time in society where there is recognition for a part of the population that is over looked, rejected, looked down up, etc.

Not wonderful that we have to lose our beloveds but nice that there is a day of recognition for those who are suffering this loss and all the secondary losses that go with losing your beloved.

Granted our losses are all unique and our journeys are different, widows in other areas of the world such as Africa, India, etc have different hardships than those in North America, Europe, etc.

But It is our time as widows and widowers to share with the world our stories and plight, reguardless of where we are.

TODAY IS OUR DAY!

“We must recognize the important contribution of widows, and we must ensure that they enjoy the rights and social protections they deserve. Death is inevitable, but we can reduce the suffering that widows endure by raising their status and helping them in their hour of need….” Widow Chick

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Several facebook “events” have been created within the widowed community to symbolize this date, as are various widowed organizations and online communities are doing things for this date as well.

One of the events is called “Thank a Widow Today In Honor of International Widows Day”.

You don’t have to do anything huge or special, just a simple hug, little note, or let them know in some way that you love them, care about them, are thinking about them and that they are not alone.

If you feel led to help them in some way or want to serve them. Remember to be detailed or specific in your actions.

(For example if they are recently widowed and you would like to bring them a meal, ask them if it is ok for you to bring them a meal. Don’t say “let me know what I can do”, or “let me know if I can do anything.”)

Be specific in how you would like to serve and love them.

I have a few ideas/ suggestions …

if you are a widow/er you could

Encourage a fellow widow who inspires you in some way. Doesn’t have to be anything profound. Or a widowed friend that you are thankful for their friendship.
And then you could encourage someone who is at a different point in this journey than you are. Maybe someone who was recently widowed or someone who has been widowed for many years.

So pick ATLEAST two people to encourage and love on today. But of course you can choose more than 2 people. I know I am.

For those of you who are my non widowed readers, take time to encourage, support, and love on a widow today.

As Christians (for my fellow Christ follower readers) we are called to do this everyday, (for the lost, poor, broken, widowed, orphaned, needy, fatherless, believers, non believers) sadly that is not always the case, and does not happen like it is supposed to.

We are the hands and feet of Christ. We are the example. We are the light in this dark world. Walk beside this person/ people. Make it a point today to LOVE AS CHRIST LOVES and let someone know that they are not forgotten and are very much loved not only by you, but most importantly, that Christ loves them too.

This year Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation launched their “You Are Not Alone” campaign to help widowed people know that there is community amongst us and that we are not alone. For more info please visit here and read Michele’s words about the campaign!

From my own experience, I know how amazing Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation is and how they help so many widowed people know that they are not alone. I would not be here with out the love, support, encouragement and hope from those at SSLF!

Thank you to all my widowed friends for your love, support, encouragement and validation these last 27 months. Thank you for validating my loss and seeing me as an equal. Thank you for sharing this journey with me, I would not be here without you.

Thank you to my family, non widowed friends, pastor and counselor for all your love, support, kindness, encouragement, for remembering and for being there for me the last 27 months. Thank you for all the ways you help to keep Greg’s memory alive and your support of our wonderful love.

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Follow through and Love on a widow/ er today.

You can read the United Nations Document at the following link …

http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A%2FRES%2F65%2F189

And you can read about how this day came about at the following link …

www.theloombafoundation.org/about/issues

All material copyright @ Greggies Widow