Love11

💔 My heart. This isn’t easy but 8 years has been the perfect amount of time. We started Love 11 because of Micah. In our eyes, Love 11 is Micah. Micah passed away and we wanted to use his life insurance money in a way that would honor him and make him proud. Love 11 was able to do both of those things with the help from all of you, our community / Love 11’s supporters. Micah was on this Earth for 8 years. My life was completely changed because of Micah. Over the past 8 years Micah has continued to changed lives through his foundation, Love 11. 702 kids in Spokane were put into sports because of Micah, because of Love 11 and because all of your support/believing in Love 11’s mission. Today we had to ask to “shut down the website, Love11.org” this hurt me. Each step of the dissolution has been hard but this is the step that kinda took my breath away. Love 11 has been a lot of work, its been a lot of heart, it’s been very personal, it’s been hard, it been AMAZING, it’s been beautiful, it’s been connecting, it’s been serving. There have been both good years and bad tears. I will say sending that email to our website host hurt, I didn’t want to press send but I did. We came full circle with Love 11, 8 years. After hitting send, I went over to the website one last time. Love11.org is a placed I’ve reference multiple times over the years, a spot kids have requested our help, a spot to review what has been accomplished, a spot I’m super proud of, and soon it will no longer be. I took these photos as memories. 💚 I had to smile when I scrolled to see 111 DONORS, 💚. Beautiful. Thank you all. Everyone who has helped us keep our chins up from day one, guided us through an adventure we had no clue how to do, to the ones that encouraged us, believed in our mission, seen the hard work, SEEN MICAH in the work, understood Love 11, took the time to learn more, to those that have sponsored, to those who have shared, to those that have rocked the decals, let me say that again because I will MISS IT.. to those that have rocked the decals and Love 11 bracelets. As I wipe away my tears, thank you. 🙏🏻 Seeing these seemingly insignificant items have helped me to see my son, to see Micah in places he can no longer be. It’s really hard not having him here and you guys have helped to make it feel like Micah is not forgotten. This isn’t easy but all good things come to an end, the timing feels more than right and I’m really happy for Love 11’s remaining funds to bless another like minded and worthy charity in Spokane. More on that to come. I just want to be authentic here, as we have always tried to be through the years and above all else I want to thank Micah Daniel Love and thank all of you 💚

A picture is worth a thousand words.

💚💚💚

What can you say to someone who is grieving?

There is really no right answer to this question, although there can be some wrong answers to this question. Sometimes people unintentionally minimize a person's grief, as Annette pointed out this week, by using the phrase "at least..." Although it may be true that some deaths are more shocking or physically traumatic, there is no measure that can be made for the hole left in your heart when you lose someone so dear.

If you're wondering what to say, try phrases like these:

"I'm here for you any time of the day or night."

"I'm here to listen. I won't talk. Share whatever you need to say."

"I would love to hear about your [son/daughter/mother/father/spouse/girlfriend/co-worker etc.]. Can you tell me a little about them?"

Credit: Good Grief Believer