best-selling author and widowers CS Lewis said in the opening line of his
Lewis said in the opening line of his
Lewis said in the opening line of his brilliant book a grief observed nobody
brilliant book a grief observed nobody
brilliant book a grief observed nobody ever told me that grief felt so much
ever told me that grief felt so much
ever told me that grief felt so much like fear it’s a powerful statement fear
like fear it’s a powerful statement fear
like fear it’s a powerful statement fear but fear of what the fear of losing
but fear of what the fear of losing
but fear of what the fear of losing yourself the fear of growing old alone
yourself the fear of growing old alone
yourself the fear of growing old alone the fear that this intense pain will
the fear that this intense pain will
the fear that this intense pain will never stop the fear of forgetting the
never stop the fear of forgetting the
never stop the fear of forgetting the sound of his voice or his laugh or that
sound of his voice or his laugh or that
sound of his voice or his laugh or that others will forget him that his life
others will forget him that his life
others will forget him that his life won’t have mattered Greece makes you
won’t have mattered Greece makes you
won’t have mattered Greece makes you feel isolated alone terrified and
feel isolated alone terrified and
feel isolated alone terrified and damaged and scared of absolutely
damaged and scared of absolutely
damaged and scared of absolutely everything on October 27th 2006 at the
everything on October 27th 2006 at the
everything on October 27th 2006 at the age of 35
age of 35
age of 35 I married my very best friend Don
I married my very best friend Don
I married my very best friend Don Shepard four years and nine months later
Shepard four years and nine months later
Shepard four years and nine months later my healthy active beautiful husband left
my healthy active beautiful husband left
my healthy active beautiful husband left for work one morning and never came home
for work one morning and never came home
for work one morning and never came home they found him collapsed on the floor a
they found him collapsed on the floor a
they found him collapsed on the floor a massive heart attack no symptoms no
massive heart attack no symptoms no
massive heart attack no symptoms no warnings no goodbyes just here one
warnings no goodbyes just here one
warnings no goodbyes just here one minute and then BOOM
minute and then BOOM
minute and then BOOM gone in the past five years or so since
gone in the past five years or so since
gone in the past five years or so since my husband’s death I’ve become friends
my husband’s death I’ve become friends
my husband’s death I’ve become friends with and met a lot of other widowed
with and met a lot of other widowed
with and met a lot of other widowed people a few months ago a dear widower
people a few months ago a dear widower
people a few months ago a dear widower friend of mine gave me a challenge he
friend of mine gave me a challenge he
friend of mine gave me a challenge he said Kelly I want you to change the
said Kelly I want you to change the
said Kelly I want you to change the world that all I said to him I will get
world that all I said to him I will get
world that all I said to him I will get on that right after my morning cup of
on that right after my morning cup of
on that right after my morning cup of coffee but when I stop to think about
coffee but when I stop to think about
coffee but when I stop to think about that concept a favorite phrase of mine
that concept a favorite phrase of mine
that concept a favorite phrase of mine came to mind change your mind and change
came to mind change your mind and change
came to mind change your mind and change the world in other words the way that
the world in other words the way that
the world in other words the way that people see your perceive an idea has to
people see your perceive an idea has to
people see your perceive an idea has to change in order for everything
change in order for everything
change in order for everything surrounding that idea to also change so
surrounding that idea to also change so
surrounding that idea to also change so I’m going to speak the truth today about
I’m going to speak the truth today about
I’m going to speak the truth today about Greece and then wait for that truth to
Greece and then wait for that truth to
Greece and then wait for that truth to then become contagious any widowed
then become contagious any widowed
then become contagious any widowed person or any person who has lost
person or any person who has lost
person or any person who has lost someone they love to death will tell you
someone they love to death will tell you
someone they love to death will tell you about the well intention but sometimes
about the well intention but sometimes
about the well intention but sometimes insensitive comments coming from those
insensitive comments coming from those
insensitive comments coming from those on the outside it
on the outside it
on the outside it God’s plan everything happens for a
God’s plan everything happens for a
God’s plan everything happens for a reason there are many more but these are
reason there are many more but these are
reason there are many more but these are some of the greatest hits now the
some of the greatest hits now the
some of the greatest hits now the justification for these comments is
justification for these comments is
justification for these comments is always the same they don’t know what to
always the same they don’t know what to
always the same they don’t know what to say I feel like it’s time we change the
say I feel like it’s time we change the
say I feel like it’s time we change the conversation from they don’t know what
conversation from they don’t know what
conversation from they don’t know what to say – well then let’s teach them like
to say – well then let’s teach them like
to say – well then let’s teach them like the great Maya Angelou once said when
the great Maya Angelou once said when
the great Maya Angelou once said when you know better you do better so let’s
you know better you do better so let’s
you know better you do better so let’s focus on the most insensitive comment of
focus on the most insensitive comment of
focus on the most insensitive comment of all time and the one that I feel is the
all time and the one that I feel is the
all time and the one that I feel is the most harmful you need to move on get
most harmful you need to move on get
most harmful you need to move on get over it get on with your life let me say
over it get on with your life let me say
over it get on with your life let me say this as simply as I can when it comes to
this as simply as I can when it comes to
this as simply as I can when it comes to the death of someone that you love there
the death of someone that you love there
the death of someone that you love there is no such thing as moving on it’s a lie
is no such thing as moving on it’s a lie
is no such thing as moving on it’s a lie it’s a made-up concept created by people
it’s a made-up concept created by people
it’s a made-up concept created by people who are too uncomfortable with death and
who are too uncomfortable with death and
who are too uncomfortable with death and sadness and grief but here’s the thing
sadness and grief but here’s the thing
sadness and grief but here’s the thing it’s not their fault they are only
it’s not their fault they are only
it’s not their fault they are only repeating what has become familiar to
repeating what has become familiar to
repeating what has become familiar to them throughout the years what’s been
them throughout the years what’s been
them throughout the years what’s been taught to them by society over and over
taught to them by society over and over
taught to them by society over and over again you need to move on is a phrase
again you need to move on is a phrase
again you need to move on is a phrase born out of centuries of ignorance and
born out of centuries of ignorance and
born out of centuries of ignorance and fear because grief feels a hell of a lot
fear because grief feels a hell of a lot
fear because grief feels a hell of a lot like fear now the move on mentality
like fear now the move on mentality
like fear now the move on mentality starts very early it’s constant and it
starts very early it’s constant and it
starts very early it’s constant and it doesn’t really ever end within minutes
doesn’t really ever end within minutes
doesn’t really ever end within minutes of my husband’s sudden death I was
of my husband’s sudden death I was
of my husband’s sudden death I was attacked with questions will you be
attacked with questions will you be
attacked with questions will you be donating his organs today would you like
donating his organs today would you like
donating his organs today would you like cremation or casket with that you know
cremation or casket with that you know
cremation or casket with that you know when he can somebody come by your
when he can somebody come by your
when he can somebody come by your apartment and pick up some of his items
apartment and pick up some of his items
apartment and pick up some of his items now at the time I was told by people
now at the time I was told by people
now at the time I was told by people that these decisions were for my benefit
that these decisions were for my benefit
that these decisions were for my benefit that it would help me to let go to put
that it would help me to let go to put
that it would help me to let go to put all this behind me at my husband’s
all this behind me at my husband’s
all this behind me at my husband’s funeral
funeral
funeral a total stranger came up to me stood
a total stranger came up to me stood
a total stranger came up to me stood right by his casket and said to me today
right by his casket and said to me today
right by his casket and said to me today you grieve tomorrow you get out there
you grieve tomorrow you get out there
you grieve tomorrow you get out there and find a new man
and find a new man
and find a new man really tomorrow that seems a little soon
really tomorrow that seems a little soon
really tomorrow that seems a little soon a widower friend of mine was offered
a widower friend of mine was offered
a widower friend of mine was offered this proposition from a relative of his
this proposition from a relative of his
this proposition from a relative of his for every picture you take down of you
for every picture you take down of you
for every picture you take down of you and your wife from your bed stand I’ll
and your wife from your bed stand I’ll
and your wife from your bed stand I’ll give you fifty bucks a widow goes to the
give you fifty bucks a widow goes to the
give you fifty bucks a widow goes to the cemetery all the time to visit her
cemetery all the time to visit her
cemetery all the time to visit her husband and she keeps the lawn chair in
husband and she keeps the lawn chair in
husband and she keeps the lawn chair in the back of her car so she can sit with
the back of her car so she can sit with
the back of her car so she can sit with him at his gravesite one day she goes
him at his gravesite one day she goes
him at his gravesite one day she goes out to her car and notices her chair is
out to her car and notices her chair is
out to her car and notices her chair is gone her friends thinking that they are
gone her friends thinking that they are
gone her friends thinking that they are helping said we took your chair we don’t
helping said we took your chair we don’t
helping said we took your chair we don’t think you should go there anymore it’s
think you should go there anymore it’s
think you should go there anymore it’s not healthy another friend was told by
not healthy another friend was told by
not healthy another friend was told by her priest after her brother died in a
her priest after her brother died in a
her priest after her brother died in a skiing accident stop talking about him
skiing accident stop talking about him
skiing accident stop talking about him you need to let him rest in peace
you need to let him rest in peace
you need to let him rest in peace another friend father two sons when he
another friend father two sons when he
another friend father two sons when he filled out a school field trip form as
filled out a school field trip form as
filled out a school field trip form as such he was told by the school principal
such he was told by the school principal
such he was told by the school principal your other child has died so you only
your other child has died so you only
your other child has died so you only have one son now these heart-wrenching
have one son now these heart-wrenching
have one son now these heart-wrenching stories are real people and this is the
stories are real people and this is the
stories are real people and this is the kind of treatment that they face every
kind of treatment that they face every
kind of treatment that they face every single day taking away someone’s
single day taking away someone’s
single day taking away someone’s connection to someone they love who has
connection to someone they love who has
connection to someone they love who has died what purpose does that serve what
died what purpose does that serve what
died what purpose does that serve what kind of message are we sending that the
kind of message are we sending that the
kind of message are we sending that the people we love are replaceable that the
people we love are replaceable that the
people we love are replaceable that the love you have for your daughter your
love you have for your daughter your
love you have for your daughter your mother your brother your best friend has
mother your brother your best friend has
mother your brother your best friend has an expiration date that their life
an expiration date that their life
an expiration date that their life didn’t really matter when someone you
didn’t really matter when someone you
didn’t really matter when someone you love dies and you are told over and over
love dies and you are told over and over
love dies and you are told over and over again to move on something inside of you
again to move on something inside of you
again to move on something inside of you breaks and when that happens you don’t
breaks and when that happens you don’t
breaks and when that happens you don’t really feel much like living anymore you
really feel much like living anymore you
really feel much like living anymore you figure hey why should I stick around
figure hey why should I stick around
figure hey why should I stick around when I’m not allowed to continue to love
when I’m not allowed to continue to love
when I’m not allowed to continue to love my person that I miss so you start
my person that I miss so you start
my person that I miss so you start isolating you keep to yourself your
isolating you keep to yourself your
isolating you keep to yourself your world becomes smaller and smaller you
world becomes smaller and smaller you
world becomes smaller and smaller you disappear
disappear
disappear my friend who was offered money to get
my friend who was offered money to get
my friend who was offered money to get rid of pictures of him and his wife he
rid of pictures of him and his wife he
rid of pictures of him and his wife he no longer talks about his wife anymore
no longer talks about his wife anymore
no longer talks about his wife anymore with anyone he says it’s just not worth
with anyone he says it’s just not worth
with anyone he says it’s just not worth it he’s tired of being silenced the
it he’s tired of being silenced the
it he’s tired of being silenced the widow who had her launch
widow who had her launch
widow who had her launch taken away she still goes to the
taken away she still goes to the
taken away she still goes to the cemetery but now she does it in secret
cemetery but now she does it in secret
cemetery but now she does it in secret she tells nobody because she’s tired of
she tells nobody because she’s tired of
she tells nobody because she’s tired of being judged for loving her husband who
being judged for loving her husband who
being judged for loving her husband who died the woman who was told by her
died the woman who was told by her
died the woman who was told by her priest to stop talking about her brother
priest to stop talking about her brother
priest to stop talking about her brother she did she also stopped going to church
she did she also stopped going to church
she did she also stopped going to church and she and her faith has suffered
and she and her faith has suffered
and she and her faith has suffered greatly because of it the father that
greatly because of it the father that
greatly because of it the father that was told you only have one son now was
was told you only have one son now was
was told you only have one son now was recently asked by his six-year-old boy
recently asked by his six-year-old boy
recently asked by his six-year-old boy daddy if I die like mice like my brother
daddy if I die like mice like my brother
daddy if I die like mice like my brother did does that mean I’m not your son
did does that mean I’m not your son
did does that mean I’m not your son anymore this is not the way to honor
anymore this is not the way to honor
anymore this is not the way to honor love to honor those that we love who
love to honor those that we love who
love to honor those that we love who have died you can’t move on from love
have died you can’t move on from love
have died you can’t move on from love love is the only thing that never dies
love is the only thing that never dies
love is the only thing that never dies so if there’s no such thing as moving on
so if there’s no such thing as moving on
so if there’s no such thing as moving on then what is it that I’m proposing what
then what is it that I’m proposing what
then what is it that I’m proposing what is the message that we need to make
is the message that we need to make
is the message that we need to make contagious in the hearts and minds of
contagious in the hearts and minds of
contagious in the hearts and minds of people the message that will change
people the message that will change
people the message that will change people’s minds and in turn change the
people’s minds and in turn change the
people’s minds and in turn change the world well here’s the truth love grows
world well here’s the truth love grows
world well here’s the truth love grows more love all good things are born out
more love all good things are born out
more love all good things are born out of love so what if instead of saying to
of love so what if instead of saying to
of love so what if instead of saying to someone hey stop talking about your
someone hey stop talking about your
someone hey stop talking about your brother we said tell me more about your
brother we said tell me more about your
brother we said tell me more about your brother who died what if instead of
brother who died what if instead of
brother who died what if instead of trying to fix people
trying to fix people
trying to fix people we sat with them inside of their pain
we sat with them inside of their pain
we sat with them inside of their pain and we let them tell us what comes next
and we let them tell us what comes next
and we let them tell us what comes next what if we got rid of the phrase move on
what if we got rid of the phrase move on
what if we got rid of the phrase move on and instead began to move with and move
and instead began to move with and move
and instead began to move with and move through our losses imagine what could
through our losses imagine what could
through our losses imagine what could happen take a look this is Ethan at his
happen take a look this is Ethan at his
happen take a look this is Ethan at his 20 week ultrasound he was diagnosed with
20 week ultrasound he was diagnosed with
20 week ultrasound he was diagnosed with developing CHD or congenital heart
developing CHD or congenital heart
developing CHD or congenital heart disease he wasn’t supposed to make it to
disease he wasn’t supposed to make it to
disease he wasn’t supposed to make it to birth instead Ethan lived seven short
birth instead Ethan lived seven short
birth instead Ethan lived seven short years of life and in that time he went
years of life and in that time he went
years of life and in that time he went under some of the most innovative
under some of the most innovative
under some of the most innovative cardiac surgeries known to date when he
cardiac surgeries known to date when he
cardiac surgeries known to date when he even died his parents Jessica
even died his parents Jessica
even died his parents Jessica Eric took their forever love for him and
Eric took their forever love for him and
Eric took their forever love for him and with it created hope the Ethan M
with it created hope the Ethan M
with it created hope the Ethan M Lindberg foundation offers grants
Lindberg foundation offers grants
Lindberg foundation offers grants housing support and even music therapy
housing support and even music therapy
housing support and even music therapy to families living with CH D because
to families living with CH D because
to families living with CH D because they did not move on or get over their
they did not move on or get over their
they did not move on or get over their son his life is now a legacy and
son his life is now a legacy and
son his life is now a legacy and countless of families and people are
countless of families and people are
countless of families and people are affected by his life going forward
affected by his life going forward
affected by his life going forward forever this is Philip Hernandez Philip
forever this is Philip Hernandez Philip
forever this is Philip Hernandez Philip was a wonderful husband father and a
was a wonderful husband father and a
was a wonderful husband father and a great man his life ended instantly when
great man his life ended instantly when
great man his life ended instantly when he was hit by a car while out cycling
he was hit by a car while out cycling
he was hit by a car while out cycling that’s Michelle Phil’s wife she had no
that’s Michelle Phil’s wife she had no
that’s Michelle Phil’s wife she had no plans on becoming a widow at the age of
plans on becoming a widow at the age of
plans on becoming a widow at the age of 35 after Phil sudden death Michelle
35 after Phil sudden death Michelle
35 after Phil sudden death Michelle didn’t know what to do and she couldn’t
didn’t know what to do and she couldn’t
didn’t know what to do and she couldn’t find the support in the community that
find the support in the community that
find the support in the community that she so desperately needed so she built
she so desperately needed so she built
she so desperately needed so she built it Michelle created soaring spirits
it Michelle created soaring spirits
it Michelle created soaring spirits International a nonprofit that connects
International a nonprofit that connects
International a nonprofit that connects widowed people worldwide their most
widowed people worldwide their most
widowed people worldwide their most popular program Camp Widow is a
popular program Camp Widow is a
popular program Camp Widow is a three-day event offering workshops
three-day event offering workshops
three-day event offering workshops presentations and social gatherings for
presentations and social gatherings for
presentations and social gatherings for widowed men and women of all ages if
widowed men and women of all ages if
widowed men and women of all ages if Michelle had listened to the countless
Michelle had listened to the countless
Michelle had listened to the countless people who told her to let go of her
people who told her to let go of her
people who told her to let go of her love for Phil and to get over it her
love for Phil and to get over it her
love for Phil and to get over it her life would have continued down the road
life would have continued down the road
life would have continued down the road of isolation and loneliness instead her
of isolation and loneliness instead her
of isolation and loneliness instead her foundation has served over 3 million
foundation has served over 3 million
foundation has served over 3 million widowed people worldwide and Counting
widowed people worldwide and Counting
widowed people worldwide and Counting all because she made the choice to live
all because she made the choice to live
all because she made the choice to live and share Phil’s life forward on the
and share Phil’s life forward on the
and share Phil’s life forward on the right there that’s Michael Michael is
right there that’s Michael Michael is
right there that’s Michael Michael is Michelle’s husband today
Michelle’s husband today
Michelle’s husband today he knows that just because Michelle
he knows that just because Michelle
he knows that just because Michelle found love with him does not mean that
found love with him does not mean that
found love with him does not mean that she is over loving Phil nor does it mean
she is over loving Phil nor does it mean
she is over loving Phil nor does it mean that the pain of losing phil has
that the pain of losing phil has
that the pain of losing phil has magically disappeared he knows that the
magically disappeared he knows that the
magically disappeared he knows that the heart expands and that Michelle’s love
heart expands and that Michelle’s love
heart expands and that Michelle’s love for Phil is part of what makes her the
for Phil is part of what makes her the
for Phil is part of what makes her the great woman that he loves today not only
great woman that he loves today not only
great woman that he loves today not only does Michaels support this
does Michaels support this
does Michaels support this he’s a part of it Michael is the camp
he’s a part of it Michael is the camp
he’s a part of it Michael is the camp widow photographer meet Shelby Shelby
widow photographer meet Shelby Shelby
widow photographer meet Shelby Shelby was only 7 years old when her mom Megan
was only 7 years old when her mom Megan
was only 7 years old when her mom Megan died from cystic fibrosis Mike
died from cystic fibrosis Mike
died from cystic fibrosis Mike Shelby’s dad Mike met Sara at Camp Widow
Shelby’s dad Mike met Sara at Camp Widow
Shelby’s dad Mike met Sara at Camp Widow in Tampa Florida
in Tampa Florida
in Tampa Florida Sara was there because her fiance Drew
Sara was there because her fiance Drew
Sara was there because her fiance Drew died in a helicopter crash
died in a helicopter crash
died in a helicopter crash Drew’s parents have made the choice to
Drew’s parents have made the choice to
Drew’s parents have made the choice to continue to love Sara as an extension of
continue to love Sara as an extension of
continue to love Sara as an extension of their love for their son Megan’s parents
their love for their son Megan’s parents
their love for their son Megan’s parents have chosen to do the same by continuing
have chosen to do the same by continuing
have chosen to do the same by continuing to love Mike and Shelby now Shelby knows
to love Mike and Shelby now Shelby knows
to love Mike and Shelby now Shelby knows that Sara is not her mother but she is a
that Sara is not her mother but she is a
that Sara is not her mother but she is a mother figure and the two have formed a
mother figure and the two have formed a
mother figure and the two have formed a really special bond you see Sara was
really special bond you see Sara was
really special bond you see Sara was just about Shelby’s age when she lost
just about Shelby’s age when she lost
just about Shelby’s age when she lost her own mother so every time the two are
her own mother so every time the two are
her own mother so every time the two are around each other their hearts heal just
around each other their hearts heal just
around each other their hearts heal just a little bit more back to this picture
a little bit more back to this picture
a little bit more back to this picture on the left under the Christmas tree
on the left under the Christmas tree
on the left under the Christmas tree it’s about two weeks before Christmas
it’s about two weeks before Christmas
it’s about two weeks before Christmas there’s a knock at the door this giant
there’s a knock at the door this giant
there’s a knock at the door this giant box arrives inside it present after
box arrives inside it present after
box arrives inside it present after present after present from Drew’s entire
present after present from Drew’s entire
present after present from Drew’s entire family his grandparents his parents his
family his grandparents his parents his
family his grandparents his parents his aunts and uncles all of them for Shelby
aunts and uncles all of them for Shelby
aunts and uncles all of them for Shelby for Mike and for Sara this nine year old
for Mike and for Sara this nine year old
for Mike and for Sara this nine year old little girl who had not enough time on
little girl who had not enough time on
little girl who had not enough time on this earth with her own mother
this earth with her own mother
this earth with her own mother now giddy with joy as she opens multiple
now giddy with joy as she opens multiple
now giddy with joy as she opens multiple gifts from Drew’s family a man she has
gifts from Drew’s family a man she has
gifts from Drew’s family a man she has never even met but whose life and death
never even met but whose life and death
never even met but whose life and death is now exploding into an avalanche of
is now exploding into an avalanche of
is now exploding into an avalanche of love right on her living room floor if
love right on her living room floor if
love right on her living room floor if even one person in this scenario made a
even one person in this scenario made a
even one person in this scenario made a different choice this beautiful picture
different choice this beautiful picture
different choice this beautiful picture would not exist and all of these people
would not exist and all of these people
would not exist and all of these people would be living much smaller lives
would be living much smaller lives
would be living much smaller lives instead all of their lives grew bigger
instead all of their lives grew bigger
instead all of their lives grew bigger and wider more love the love that Mike
and wider more love the love that Mike
and wider more love the love that Mike and Sara have for each other does not
and Sara have for each other does not
and Sara have for each other does not diminish or delete the love that Sara
diminish or delete the love that Sara
diminish or delete the love that Sara will always have for Drew and that Mike
will always have for Drew and that Mike
will always have for Drew and that Mike will always have for Megan in fact it
will always have for Megan in fact it
will always have for Megan in fact it applies it it honors it love grows love
applies it it honors it love grows love
applies it it honors it love grows love and what about me what have I done with
and what about me what have I done with
and what about me what have I done with the forever love that I’ll always have
the forever love that I’ll always have
the forever love that I’ll always have for my husband on well I’m happy to tell
for my husband on well I’m happy to tell
for my husband on well I’m happy to tell you I am a speaker at Camp Widow where
you I am a speaker at Camp Widow where
you I am a speaker at Camp Widow where I’ve been giving my comedic presentation
I’ve been giving my comedic presentation
I’ve been giving my comedic presentation about life and loss since 2013 I started
about life and loss since 2013 I started
about life and loss since 2013 I started a campaign called pay it forward for Don
a campaign called pay it forward for Don
a campaign called pay it forward for Don Shepard day where I ask people anywhere
Shepard day where I ask people anywhere
Shepard day where I ask people anywhere and everywhere to do acts of kindness in
and everywhere to do acts of kindness in
and everywhere to do acts of kindness in his honor and then they get published in
his honor and then they get published in
his honor and then they get published in my blog now over the years hundreds and
my blog now over the years hundreds and
my blog now over the years hundreds and hundreds of people have taken part in
hundreds of people have taken part in
hundreds of people have taken part in these acts of kindness and many of them
these acts of kindness and many of them
these acts of kindness and many of them don’t even know me nor do they know my
don’t even know me nor do they know my
don’t even know me nor do they know my husband I’m writing a book about our
husband I’m writing a book about our
husband I’m writing a book about our forever love story and about my story
forever love story and about my story
forever love story and about my story after and I’m standing here with all of
after and I’m standing here with all of
after and I’m standing here with all of you today giving this very personal and
you today giving this very personal and
you today giving this very personal and important message into the universe my
important message into the universe my
important message into the universe my husband’s heart may have stopped beating
husband’s heart may have stopped beating
husband’s heart may have stopped beating on July 13th 2011 but he lives on every
on July 13th 2011 but he lives on every
on July 13th 2011 but he lives on every single day because it’s my mission to
single day because it’s my mission to
single day because it’s my mission to make damn sure of it great things can
make damn sure of it great things can
make damn sure of it great things can happen when we continue to tell the
happen when we continue to tell the
happen when we continue to tell the stories of those we have lost who have
stories of those we have lost who have
stories of those we have lost who have died and it doesn’t have to be on this
died and it doesn’t have to be on this
died and it doesn’t have to be on this grand of a scale each of us can be the
grand of a scale each of us can be the
grand of a scale each of us can be the person that changes the message for
person that changes the message for
person that changes the message for someone else about grief love and loss
someone else about grief love and loss
someone else about grief love and loss that is how change happens
that is how change happens
that is how change happens one person one mind at a time every
one person one mind at a time every
one person one mind at a time every single one of us in this room and
single one of us in this room and
single one of us in this room and everyone watching this online and me
everyone watching this online and me
everyone watching this online and me guess what we’re all gonna die not right
guess what we’re all gonna die not right
guess what we’re all gonna die not right now so don’t keep don’t panic hopefully
now so don’t keep don’t panic hopefully
now so don’t keep don’t panic hopefully it’s not right now but we are we’re all
it’s not right now but we are we’re all
it’s not right now but we are we’re all gonna die at some point we have no
gonna die at some point we have no
gonna die at some point we have no choice about that we have no choice
choice about that we have no choice
choice about that we have no choice about that but guess what we do have a
about that but guess what we do have a
about that but guess what we do have a choice about how we talk about those who
choice about how we talk about those who
choice about how we talk about those who have died the language we use so let me
have died the language we use so let me
have died the language we use so let me ask you this when you die do you want to
ask you this when you die do you want to
ask you this when you die do you want to be forgotten do you want people to tell
be forgotten do you want people to tell
be forgotten do you want people to tell your loved ones hey get over it get over
your loved ones hey get over it get over
your loved ones hey get over it get over her get over him move on stop talking
her get over him move on stop talking
her get over him move on stop talking about that or do you want the people who
about that or do you want the people who
about that or do you want the people who love you
love you
love you to use that love to create a life for
to use that love to create a life for
to use that love to create a life for themselves filled with joy and purpose
themselves filled with joy and purpose
themselves filled with joy and purpose and meaning isn’t that what you deserve
and meaning isn’t that what you deserve
and meaning isn’t that what you deserve isn’t that what we all deserve the
question that is asked in the closing
question that is asked in the closing song of lin-manuel Miranda’s hit
song of lin-manuel Miranda’s hit
song of lin-manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway brilliant musical Hamilton is
Broadway brilliant musical Hamilton is
Broadway brilliant musical Hamilton is this when my time is up have I done
this when my time is up have I done
this when my time is up have I done enough will they tell my story will they
enough will they tell my story will they
enough will they tell my story will they tell your story who tells your story my
tell your story who tells your story my
tell your story who tells your story my wish for everyone here today for each
wish for everyone here today for each
wish for everyone here today for each one of us is that when our time is up
one of us is that when our time is up
one of us is that when our time is up the people who love us never move on the
the people who love us never move on the
the people who love us never move on the people who love us they tell our story
people who love us they tell our story
people who love us they tell our story because here’s the truth if we move on
because here’s the truth if we move on
because here’s the truth if we move on and let go of and get rid of the people
and let go of and get rid of the people
and let go of and get rid of the people that we love who have died if we do that
that we love who have died if we do that
that we love who have died if we do that then guess what they really are gone
then guess what they really are gone
then guess what they really are gone they’re gone they’re just gone forever
they’re gone they’re just gone forever
they’re gone they’re just gone forever but if we tell each other’s stories and
but if we tell each other’s stories and
but if we tell each other’s stories and if we use that love to create more love
if we use that love to create more love
if we use that love to create more love and to multiply each others worlds if we
and to multiply each others worlds if we
and to multiply each others worlds if we can do that then nobody ever really dies
can do that then nobody ever really dies
can do that then nobody ever really dies not truly thank you so much
”
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