Abi's Army of Love

There is a group of people out there who love us. Really love us. I mean there's lots of folks out there supporting us, some who I don't even know. But there's an Army of people who are keeping the kids and I lifted up and smiling just about every week.

Abi's Army of Love started just after Mike passed. I got a card in the mail, from an unknown person (I recognized the handwriting though... and that it came from MASS *cough* Katy Foley! :)) telling me about the Army of Love. Since then we've received gifts for the kids, keep sake items for Mike, flowers and other things. Cards, donations, you name it. And there are people outside the 'official' Army who I think are still a part of the Army :) I head home to NH and an old high school friend gives us tickets to Story Land and a gift certificate to dinner. My son got to go to soccer camp for free this summer thanks to the head soccer coach at UConn. He got a 4 day trip to the cape too! I come home and my lawn is mowed and my kitchen has been cleaned. I have a suite of people who have given their schedules to a central person so that they can all help with kid duty of I need a babysitter for any reason. It's absolutely amazing. And humbling. And awesome. And they are a part of my Army as well.

I can tell you all right now - even if you are reading this and are not an official part of the Army, or maybe you don't even know me or my family. If something like this happens to someone you know - do an act like this. The smallest thing means the world to me and my kids right now. That knowledge that we are loved and cared for and supported continually is incredibly comforting.




But really, this isn't about the 'stuff'. That's all fun, nice and neat - and it means the world to me, believe me. And especially to my kids - the surprises keep coming which makes them have these huge grins that are hard to beat. But really, this is about the love. The support. Knowing that even though time is going on, our friends and family haven't forgotten Michael, or us, or what happened. I think that's the hardest thing about time going on after a tragedy. Everyone's lives start to go back to normal - as they should - and here I am with my head against the wall stuck in April 2014. The world keeps spinning while mine is standing still. Things happen, we all move on. But those of us close to Michael are still left with this void. This hole that cannot be filled. The puzzle piece that is forever gone, making our world incomplete. That will never go away for as long as we live. We may come to not notice it as much, or to feel it as sharply. But it will always be there.  Because they are anonymous, I can't thank them personally. I thank them here, and on Facebook. And I  know who a few of them are, but I don't know who's been sending what, really. And so I can't write thank you's (which actually takes a huge burden off of me, so THANK YOU!!). My guess is that they don't care about the recognition. Their happiness comes from knowing they have put a smile on some grieving faces. The fact that months later our 'Army' is still at full force behind us and thinking of us - well it is absolutely fantastic and reminds me of what life is all about. Taking care of each other.