I think, normally, that I wouldn't write here about a funeral. They are very personal experiences. But I have to tell you this because you were a key part.
The chap who conducted the service mentioned that Janet was a blogger and that our community had been a comfort to her family; indeed, he had a handful of pages that were printed from the messages of condolence that you left at this blog after I posted a few words. He read a couple - from Annie and Shaz - stories that her family would otherwise not have known, and stories that went a long way to reinforce Janet's memory as a kind and fun woman with a passion for her crafts and life in general.
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| We did what we always do when visiting Janet, had coffee and cake. |
And that, gentle reader, is probably the only and the best reason to blog. We're all in this together and we all want to be friends first.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post Julia, i am glad that it went as well as it could be and that the posts from the community were of some comfort to the family. WOYWW is a community and i have developed friendships because of it and i thank you for that Julia as this was all your idea; my friendship with another WOYWW-er went to an instagram friendship that is now developing into a penpal/snail mail one something that i am so grateful for xx
ReplyDeleteLovely post x
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post Julia. I was really touched that I had a mention at her funeral. Thanks to you we have all made many special friendships that we otherwise would have never had and Janet was one of those. She had a generous, loving heart and will be remembered very fondly by so many thanks to our blogging family.
ReplyDeleteBiggest hugs for representing us at her special farewell.
Annie x
You have a knack of capturing things in words Julia....as was evidenced by the celebrant reading out the whole of your tribute yesterday. Be proud of what what you've achieved.
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Jan xxxx
I do have to agree with Jan, Julia you've created a very special 'community' and re-enforced by Janets family.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post dear Julia, my eyes filled with tears and I also felt that shiver as I read, for I read some of those comments...
ReplyDelete...and yes this blogging is very rich woven into the warp and waft of our lives, and are just a part of what makes us who we are.
Thanks to you , Julia and dear Lunch Landy Jan for representing us too, as WOYWW-ears we are very blessed. Will continue to think of pray for Janet's dear ones, too.
Shaz in oz,x
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Hi Julia, thats a beautiful and touching post. Sat here with tears in my eyes. It's wonderful to know that her family has taken some comfort from how much we loved Janet, and how she touched our lives.Wonderful to know they took some comfort from our remembrances of Janets kindnesses to us.I'm sure that probably every one of us, the day we made our first tentative post to WOYWW, had any idea of what a warm and loving community we were joining. How much it would become a solid part of our lives, and how many friendships we would make because of it.The support you are all giving me right now is beyond words. I know you feel that you are just a part of WOYWW, Julia, but to all of us, you are way more than that, you brought us all together, and for that you have my deepest thanks.Shaz xxxxx
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post that has got the tears flowing. WOYWW has become so much more than blogging. Friendships have grown. And while, like me, some of us only post now and again we are all welcomed and feel part of it no matter how many posts we post. Janet was a lovely lady I am so glad I got to meet her a nubmer of times. Thank you Julia for posting this. Take care Zo xx
ReplyDeleteHow lovely xx
ReplyDeleteNo words.... Just love.
ReplyDeleteIt was just a tiny seed that you planted Julia but it has grown into something very special indeed. So glad you and Jan were able to represent all of us and thanks for your lovely post. x Jo
ReplyDeleteI only found you early this year and already feel part of the Deskers. I am sure Jan's family will get comfort from all the people who felt a connection to her.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Sue
What a beautiful post, Julia; thanks for sharing. My hubby just doesn't get the whole 'Blogland' thing but I'm so glad for the existence of my world wide network of buddies. Hugs, Jo x
ReplyDeleteLovely post Julia. Hugs Cindy x
ReplyDeleteJulia I am so glad you posted this. I may not have known Janet but know her from the expressions of love and joy shared with her friends here in this community.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely of you to share this. My husband or even close friends her don't get this Blog stuff at all! I will share this with him.thank you.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post Julia and how wonderful that a few words/comments sent via cyberspace have provided the family with some comfort. You should be very proud of the community you started.
ReplyDeleteToni xx
Thank you for your words Julia. I sit here with tears in my eyes knowing not only is her life remembered by many, but that blogging had some part in that. WOYWW really is a community and you started it all!
ReplyDeleteI have two lives. One on line and one in the real world. Sometimes I feel more loved and understood by you guys on line than in my real environment. The space you have created through WOYWW is indeed a special one, not to be found anywhere else. Thank you for continuing with it even though it must feel a bit like a noose around your neck at times when you would like to just holiday without the stress of wondering if Mr Linky is behaving himself along with his friend called technology... I am glad you posted about this as I did wonder how it went yesterday. Thank you just doesn't seem enough to say in circumstances like this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this post, and for representing the wider WOYWW community for Janet. I am pleased that her family have been able to take some comfort from the tributes we left. I have made some stronger friendships here (and from my blogging life in general) than I have in the "real" world, and for that,you are to be thanked. xx
ReplyDeleteOh Julia,
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully said!
Thanks Julia, I'm choked reading it. How lovely that Janet's family found such comfort form the tributes from WOYWWers. They, and you, are a very special bunch of people. I'll never forget Janet and all she did.
ReplyDeleteI'll always remember seeing the joy that a little boy (Adam 6, who was going through chemo) received when he realised he could keep the nautical quilt in the kit bag he had grabbed in delight. His mother, who was expecting her 7th child, told him off for grabbing it and was soon in tears when she found out he could have it. It was one of the ones Janet had made.
Jo x
Thanks Julia, I'm choked reading it. How lovely that Janet's family found such comfort form the tributes from WOYWWers. They, and you, are a very special bunch of people. I'll never forget Janet and all she did.
ReplyDeleteI'll always remember seeing the joy that a little boy (Adam 6, who was going through chemo) received when he realised he could keep the nautical quilt in the kit bag he had grabbed in delight. His mother, who was expecting her 7th child, told him off for grabbing it and was soon in tears when she found out he could have it. It was one of the ones Janet had made.
Jo x
Beautifully said Julia.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Di xx
Such a moving post. It's truly wonderful that this small and caring community has grown into something much, much larger over time. And some say blogging has died. Janet knew better and so now does her family. You probably have no idea what you did for that family. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! this is an awesome group of people!
ReplyDeleteSo awesome and touching. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDelete