Yesterday, I posted about the tragic death of Kirsten Smithson, taking her own life at the age of 21. I was overwhelmed and humbled by the response to that post. Through the power of social media, more than 16,000 people read it, truly a moving testament to the memory of an extraordinary young woman. I was also touched by the many comments posted, beautiful and tender tributes to Kirsten from friends, teachers, family members...and even those who did not know her, but felt compelled to share their sympathy.
So many people have asked how they can help, what small gesture can they make to let this grief-stricken family know that they are not alone. Hearing these voices, my wife Kate was inspired to open a Meal Train to support the family over the coming year. Below is the note Kate posted on her Facebook page yesterday. I could not improve upon her beautiful words, so I share them here in their entirety:
When a family is stuck by tragedy people gather around for support; but after awhile, perhaps a few days or weeks, people drift back to their lives and the family is left to deal with their grief. Grief is unavoidable, but showing that people still care is important. I have started a meal train for Terri Smith, Drew and Alex Smithson. I have the most wonderful friends and so many, who don't know this family, have already asked if there's something they can do. Well,we can provide food and love...especially during the coming months. If you are interested, you can bring meals to me on Wednesdays or I will pick them up and deliver them. Please go to: https://mealtrain.com/89moqn to sign up. I will be setting up a fund for those who would rather donate for groceries, that others can cook, or restaurant gift cards in the next couple of days. I will let you know when the account has been set up. It will all be handled by Meal Train. You need do nothing now except sign up, but in the next couple of weeks we will start the train. I want to call this endeavor "The Friends We Don't Know". Please feel free to share this with others who may wish to contribute their culinary skills. Much love and thank you. Kate
This isn't about the food as much as it is about the power of community to help with the healing process. I loved that Kate entitled this effort "The Friends We Don't Know" because it will indeed be the love of strangers that will sustain this project over the coming weeks and months.
Please do whatever you can to support the Food Train for a very special family.
Again, here is the link to Food Train.
Thank you.
So many people have asked how they can help, what small gesture can they make to let this grief-stricken family know that they are not alone. Hearing these voices, my wife Kate was inspired to open a Meal Train to support the family over the coming year. Below is the note Kate posted on her Facebook page yesterday. I could not improve upon her beautiful words, so I share them here in their entirety:
When a family is stuck by tragedy people gather around for support; but after awhile, perhaps a few days or weeks, people drift back to their lives and the family is left to deal with their grief. Grief is unavoidable, but showing that people still care is important. I have started a meal train for Terri Smith, Drew and Alex Smithson. I have the most wonderful friends and so many, who don't know this family, have already asked if there's something they can do. Well,we can provide food and love...especially during the coming months. If you are interested, you can bring meals to me on Wednesdays or I will pick them up and deliver them. Please go to: https://mealtrain.com/89moqn to sign up. I will be setting up a fund for those who would rather donate for groceries, that others can cook, or restaurant gift cards in the next couple of days. I will let you know when the account has been set up. It will all be handled by Meal Train. You need do nothing now except sign up, but in the next couple of weeks we will start the train. I want to call this endeavor "The Friends We Don't Know". Please feel free to share this with others who may wish to contribute their culinary skills. Much love and thank you. Kate
This isn't about the food as much as it is about the power of community to help with the healing process. I loved that Kate entitled this effort "The Friends We Don't Know" because it will indeed be the love of strangers that will sustain this project over the coming weeks and months.
Please do whatever you can to support the Food Train for a very special family.
Again, here is the link to Food Train.
Thank you.
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