One year ago, I had a dream. I certainly see myself as a dreamer. This dream was to create a connection point for widows that was approachable, friendly and trustworthy to mentor widows starting with my own home town of Orlando, FL and eventually extending my reach all over the world.
But with all dreams, there are so many unanswered and curious questions to resolve before the reality of that dream is realized.
This is why I spent over a year creating Modern Widows Club Magazine. An online resource where we could all connect, read articles from other inspirational men and women who have lost a spouse and yet, found a way to move forward while reaching back.
That's why we are a widows mentoring organization. Mentoring is the answer to connect us all. Mentors are friends who care deeply enough to not turn away from what they know and instead reach back with who they are today.
Actually, to be forthcoming, I had several dreams. Not just the conscious dreaming we do when we'd rather be doing something else. I had subconscious dreams in my sleep of making a global impact on improving other widows day to day living. After all, I had actually survived and thrived after 13 yrs along this widowed journey. I knew the power of God Boxes (my MacBook Pro) and my mini God Box (my iPhone). I knew there was a way to reach you.
And as hard as I tried to walk into a new life as a single woman, a solo parent and a lone entrepreneur, there was one thing that was missing.
And as hard as I tried to walk into a new life as a single woman, a solo parent and a lone entrepreneur, there was one thing that was missing.
That one thing is YOU!
Like every widow whose life has been torn to pieces, feeling the foundation crumble below you and being left confused at what you believe in anymore.....I just wanted to become somewhat
normal again.
To me, I was the wrong person to launch a dream like this. I didn't have the time, money, know how or even desire at first. I was just trying to make sound decisions, keep all my glass balls in the air and hoping for the best. But other widows would find me and ask to have coffee, lunch, dinner, phone call and I kept saying yes.
I guess I should of suspected as much after sitting on Oprah's sofa.
But that's not why I did this.
I did this because it found me. When someone would call me (or more than likely handed off from someone who didn't know what to do with their widowed friend) I'd sit and encourage them by consciously showing up, caring to listen and remember along with them. I used the only thing I really have....myself. It really is that simple. Like Rick Warren says 'When people are in deep pain and need a friend - show up and shut up!'
'Normal' in the dictionary means to be in accordance to a norm, a standard or regular pattern. As you know, being widowed is far from that. It's actually the direct opposite, the synonym to normal. One of the synonyms I discovered was the word 'unnatural'.
Now there is a word I can relate to! Being widowed feels unnatural doesn't it? It's a variance with what feels normal or what I expected my life to be. It feels like a violation of natural law.
But what is very natural is to love. To care and love another is what brought me to you. I've known a broken heart, I've known fear, I've known loss and I've known helplessness. But I'm here to tell you, you will again know love. You will again see love in action all around you. It will be in very simple things or enormous moments of grace.
Half the battle is tuning your eyes to see what is natural to you in this unnatural experience. To allow this natural desire to love something and be loved back to come to you in a new form other than the person you lost and loved.
Love is big people.
Someone needs you.
Watch this video and hear as I share this on Growing Bolder TV.
After I filmed this video, I soon started to have dreams about
Modern Widows Club.
It was really this simple.
Now, we have an online magazine, 4 National Chapters and 1 International Chapter. We are growing and it's because widows are speaking up, reaching out, doing something and reaching back.
It's a beautiful thing.
Will you join us? I hope so.
Together we can live James 1:27 and bring joy and compassion to widows by simply caring
and being kind.
On June 23, we will celebrate 2013 International Widow's Day along with UN Women and The Noomba Foundation. We would love for everyone to mark it on their calendars to 'Social Media' our magazine to the world. Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Blogs, Tumblr, Waywire, Magazines, Groups, Social Circles, Companies, Grief Organizations, Pinterest and beyond.
~ You can help by being our very own PR and Marketing Team ~
Even if only one widow finds us and is filled with hope, it's well worth it ~ Don't you think?
With heartfelt love,
Carolyn Moor
MWC Founder
Subscribe here today and find your place.
Come on over to my home (Every 3rd Thursday)
Orlando, FL June 20
or
Meet me:
Tallahassee, FL June 10-11
Phoenix, AZ July 3-5
Sedona, AZ July 5-8
Estes Park, CO July 17
Denver, CO July 18-19
Seattle, WA July 20-22
Las Vegas, NV July 22-24
Write: info@modernwidowsclub.com
I am a dreamer too!! The hard part is to share those dreams with others for fear of failure. Most dreams remain silent and unrealized. Way to go Carolyn!! You shared your dream, put your hand to the plow...and look...a reality!! It is my dream to be part of your dream. I am a widow with a story to tell and a new life to find! I thank God I found you!
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