When I found out that fellow food blogger, Jennie, just lost her husband a few weeks ago suddenly it hit very close to home.
Why?
Because only two years ago I lost my little brother very, very suddenly. I know the shock and grief that comes with losing a family member all too well and my heart went out to Jennifer and her family. Someone described it to me once as “a very exclusive club you never ever want to belong to”. Yep, that’s it. Nothing in life can prepare you for such a tragedy and you just pray the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else.
Aside from praying for Jennie’s family (she has two young daughters under the age of 10), we can also help her financially, which I know is a huge need right now. I can’t even imagine the horror of losing a husband, but also dealing with bills and new expenses that are suddenly all on your back? It’s just not right. And I know as a community, we can help. We must help.
A special fund to help support Jennie’s family financially has now been set up on Paypal through Bloggers without Borders.
Life is so, so short, my friends. Let’s do all we can to help someone that needs us now.
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
I lost my father three years ago and it was absolutely one of the worst experiences I could ever imagine. I would never wish that on anyone.
What a wonderful community the blogosphere is to do so many caring things. This, the rallying support behind Susan….it all gives me hope in mankind.
Its been just over one year since I lost my father at the very young age of 60. I truly love how supportive the blogging community is.
I saw the link to Jennie’s blog on Joy the Baker the other day – and since then all I’ve been able to think about is how devestated I would be if I lost my husband suddenly the way Jennie lost Mikey. I think all we can do is make sure to show the people in our lives how much we love them every minute of every day – you never know what can happen.
That is just awful. I don’t know Jennie but I definitely feel her pain. A coworker I cared about recently passed away from cancer. The same day another coworker’s daughter was hit by a car and she eventually passed away. Being smack dab in the middle of that grief for awhile made me reevaluate what’s important in life. That’s family and friends. I feel so bad for Jennie. I cannot imagine her pain.
not a blogger and I am a broke college student but I donated a few dollars. hopefully every little bit helps. my heart just breaks for her and everyone who has gone through something similar like you
Done. The least we can do. Thanks for posting. I know how awful. Lost 1st husband in an accident–a shock never forget.
I remember reading your blog around 2 years ago, and it was absolutely heart wrenching to know what you were going through. I feel the same way for Jennie– although I don’t even know her <3
This is just another great example of how wonderful the blog community is. Thanks for sharing.
I just found out about Jennie’s husband yesterday. It made me sick. My heart just sank for her and her family. I can’t imagine. He was so young.
I was reading your blog regularly at the time of your brother’s death. I still think of that time in your life as I know you do. To me it seems a lot longer than two years. Thanks for making the appeal for Jennie. We all need to keep her in our thoughts and prayers – and open our pocketbooks when we can.
“When we can”. Well said. There are so many people suffering in the world that it’s hard to know where to give and what you can do. I think it’s important for people to know that if you can’t give money, just sending out prayers and support is helpful. Or if you are near to someone, helping with food or kids can help.
I don’t have a PayPal account but would still love to contribute–is there any other way to do so?
You don’t need a paypal account. It should just give you the option of putting in your Visa/Mastercard regardless of whether you have an account or not. At least I think so!
I lost my brother 11 months ago in an accident and then 7 months later my sister died of pneumonia. It’s a pretty awful club to be a part of, I know exaclty how her heart feels. Anyway I can help is great. Thank you for posting this. Also, I’m so very sorry to hear you lost your brother. Its such a painful loss.
Oh my God. “Exactly how her heart feels”. Your are a strong soul.
Human beings are so resilient.
I’m a member of that club too. Lost my dad very suddenly/unexpectedly when I was 16. He was 47. my sister was 9. It was also a heart condition – an aortic dissection to be exact. Happened in the summer of ’99, on vacation on Cape Cod. So Jenny’s story hits super close to home for me too. I was devastated for her and her girls when it happened, and all of my own personal memories came flooding back. Thank you for this post Jenna. My thoughts & prayers continue to be with Jenny and her family. xo
The paypal link did not work for me. Can Jenna or someone else post the link for me? Thank you.
I cannot even imagine losing a husband. My heart goes out to Jennie in this time. I love this bloggy community.
Did you get that quote from Christina Yang when George’s dad died?
I think that’s a pretty well-known sentiment, actually. I have heard people say it about cancer, losing a child, losing a spouse, having your spouse cheat on you, etc.
no! but that’s amazing. I love that you even KNOW that.
I posted a tribute post a week and a half ago (peanut butter and chocolate) since that’s what Jennie asked us all to do to support her.
And I am so touched the way our community is rallying around her during this horrific time.
My heart aches for her and I pray for her and her family.
Jenna, you are so kind. Thanks for letting us know that there is a way to help. I linked over & read her blog and it really touched me. I can’t imagine. Really reminds me of what is important.
Tears…What a doll.
So sad
My dad committed suicide 4 months ago at the age of 60 so I can imagine how hard it is for her, for you and for everyone else who has lost loved ones suddenly. Thank you Jenna for your compassion!
We lost my dad suddenly when I was 10. He was only 42. My brother was 13, and it was my sister’s 17th birthday. It is an awful club to be a part of. I don’t know how my mom did it… Sending prayers to her, and so glad that you are all so amazing and have given us a way to help through paypal…
Thanks for letting us know this, Jenna. I am not familiar with Jenni’s blog and this is heartbreaking. Also going to post on my blog.
Sending endless prayers her way!!
My heart goes out to Jennie and her family. I couldn’t imagine losing my husband. I read her blog and am totally on board with helping in any way I can.
I was so sad to hear about Mikey. I made #apieformikey and donated the cost of the ingredients I used to the fund for Jennie. I can’t imagine raising two girls after losing a husband so suddenly but I continue to pray for her and her family.
Oh, I am so sorry. Thank you for sharing this post. You have such a huge heart Jenna. I will be thinking of and praying for Jennie and her family.
donated! Hopefully enough can come together to help keep her home.
thanks for bringing this to our attention.
: ‘( every day is special.
I unfortunately am a member of that club… I tragically lost my husband 10 years ago at age 31. I will absolutely donate. I remember the financial disaster I faced as a young widow and it sucks to worry about that on top of everything else. Much love to Jennie.
This is one club which I am apart of but so badly wish I wasn’t! In 2008, my dad suddenly passed away and although a few years have passed, it’s still a something we will probably never get over. Thinking of and praying for Jennie’s family!
The paypal link isn’t working for me. Do you have another one?
Hi,
I am so thankful that you posted this, because to this day, I am struggling with the loss of a loved one. I have not lost a family member or a husband, so I cannot imagine the pain you are dealing with, but what I did lose is the person I have most loved in my life. I am pretty incoherent and delirious right now because it still has not processed with me that I have lost this person, but I do know that I will never be the same. Emptiness is all I feel. I am so sorry to bring this heaviness to your comments. Do you feel like your whole world is crashing around you? Do you wish you could die in place of our loves? I do. I don’t know what to do. I am such a happy, optimistic person all the time, but right now, I don’t feel like myself. I have never felt like this. I am so sad. My heart is not just broken; it is shattered. I am devastated. I will never be the same.
It’s like the yoga mantra, “If you can, you must.” As with so much, it applies both on and off the mat. Thank you for doing what you must, because you can.
The link doesn’t seem to be working, and I would like to donate. Please advise, Jenna.
Thank you,
Molly
@ Molly and Ashley, Did you try the third link that is associated with Bloggers without Borders? It works.
Jenna, thank you so much for this post. I admittedly was not familiar with Jennie’s blog…and just read through her past few entries in tears. I have lost several loved ones in my lifetime – but the pain of losing the love of your life is unfathomable to me. I’m praying for her. And I’m absolutely donating to the fund.
Jenna,
I have been reading your blog for a little less than a year now and absolutely love it. You are truly inspirational and motivating. I love your writing and your cooking! I am even more inspired by you as I too share a family loss like yours. I lost my sister in a rock climbing accident several years ago, and this post really hits home. I wish you and your friend Jennie the best.
-Jeanne (Richmond, VA)
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