Sunday, August 23, 2009

Lovely Liza--Joey's Blogger

Liza, the bringer of love and comfort to our family. Here with her little puppy, Sonny.
Joey and Liza were a decade apart in age, but they were friends. One thing that connected them was their mutual interest in blogging. When he ran into her a week before he went to Heaven, he asked her, "How's my blogger doing?" It couldn't have been more prophetic. When he suddenly went to Heaven, Lisa lovingly set up a blog in his honor. (You can see it HERE .)

Each day she posted something beautiful, sensitive and inspirational about Joey and our family and the loss that had befallen us. Other people in our circle left comments--sometimes 20 or 30 of them each day. We read that blog many times every day, and Joey's friends read it too. It sustained us in our shock and was a salve to our broken hearts.

That's when I learned the power of the comforting word. That blog kept Joey with us and kept us connected with the love and compassion of other people. It really got us through those first fragile few weeks, and on through our first year as people continued to give support. It was a link to our son that kept our hearts beating when we were sure we wouldn't survive the loss of him. It was an incredible gift to us from Liza, one we will never forget.
Later, Liza helped me set up this blog, as my own grieving place. It has been some of the best therapy for me. It's a place to pour out my feelings and to meet other moms suffering in a similar way. I continue to be comforted by others here.
So Liza's generosity and kindness have been life-changing for us. Thank you Liza, for loving us and walking beside us through our tragedy. You're beautiful and we love you, and so appreciate you for being so there for us. You bring new depth to the word "friend".

Ecclesiastes 4:10
10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Liza's other blogs: http://www.lizas-eyeview.com/

http://www.amauiblog.com/



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9 comments:

Liza on Maui said...

Now you made me cry :) ... Thank you for this touching and honoring post Karen. It really is a mutual blessing coming from above. It's a blessing for me to be a friend to Joey, to you and Joe, and to your whole family. It's a blessing being able to minister to all of you in a way I was able to. It's amazing how God can use simple things like Blogging to impact and affect us in a profound way. My family and I love you and your family so much - we are thankful God brought us together.

Karen, you have encourage me in so many ways, time and time again; even now, in your grieving, you still find ways to encourage me. I treasure our friendship, more than I can ever tell...

Love you dear friend.

Liza on Maui said...

Karen, I linked this post up to "Works for Me Wednesday", because blogging worked for us ;)
I thought I'd let you know because that will bring some new mommy blogger readers in your blog. I am glad to see that you are connecting with other bloggers too. It's a very supportive little community, isn't it? :)

Liza on Maui said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Thank you Lisa for all the love, time and energy you put into Joey's Blog. I still read it...
You have been such a blessing to our family and to those who have visited the site.

Thank you again, your are an amazing friend.

Love - Auntie Viv

Elis MacDonald said...

Thank you Liza for your non stopping pouring your heart and time towards people.
Well deserved honor!
Thank you Karen for sharing with us your feelings and thoughts, for allowing us to be part of your deepest moments.

Anonymous said...

True dat! Thank you LIza for caring for our family and helping me through this painful time. I appreciate you and can feel the love you have for us. I was glad I got to see you face to face this week and to meet Sunny. Love you.
Jaime

Anonymous said...

Oh yes! Thank you Liza for bringing Karen to my blogging world too. I'm so blessed to know her.

Blogging works for me as I can pour my heart out and everyone understands--most of the time people are very kind--Karen understands all the time. Thank you Karen!

Anonymous said...

You're awesome Liza...at least I think that's what God would say!
Gary

Gberger said...

What a wonderful friend. Thank you for sharing this blog, so that we can visit and read her posts. Joey was obviously a great inspiration. I wish (again) that I could have met him! XO