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| Dillon Maxwell, age 3 |
When my husband Zack disappeared on May 29th, 2013, Gigi immediately encouraged her blog readers to donate money to Texas Equusearch, the nonprofit volunteer team that organized search parties for Zack. On June 4th Zack's vehicle and body were found in a rural area north of Cincinnati. He had taken his own life...and with his life, he has taken a part of my life...and a part of our three young sons' lives. After the news broke, my best friend from college set up a family fund for our children. Gigi immediately encouraged blog readers to donate to our family fund. Amazingly, Gigi and you, our amazing blog readers from all over the world, donated more than $2200 to the fund.
I can't thank you enough. To put in in tangible terms: The money that you, as blog readers, raised is enough to send our 3 year old son Dillon to preschool this coming year. Dillon probably won't remember his dad. That breaks my heart a thousand times over. But he will know the kindness of people whom I never met in person, because I will tell him when he is old enough about how you donated your kindness and money to help my family during this tragedy.
I will be grateful to you forever.
Jeannie, it's wonderful to see an udpate from you. I keep typing and erasing and typing and erasing. I have a few things I'd like to say, but I'll keep them in my heart for now. Maybe we'll talk about them in-person someday. What I need to reiterate for sure is the loving care that J Crew Aficionadas showed by commenting, reblogging, tweeting, facebooking resulting in our contribution. Thank you, thank you, community!
ReplyDeleteMore ((hugs)) to you & your boys. I think of you very often.
Jeannie - Gigi is indeed an angel and gave us all a purpose, as we all felt so helpless.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is thinking of you and sending much love and hope your way. Preschool will be wonderful for Dillon!
Much love to you and the boys as you continue your healing journey!
Ditto everything WMM said. Dillon--what a sweetheart! Love to you and your sweet little boys.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see a little update from you Jeannie, as I think of you and your family so often, and continue to keep you all in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteWhat would we all do without gigi? She is the best. Really happy to see an update from you Jeannie... like everyone else I have been thinking about you often. Dillon is so sweet! I am really glad we could help you in a tangible way.
ReplyDeleteSo great to see you. I learned about you through Gigi's blog. You are a very strong person. Those boys are beautiful. God bless. I'm sure every day is a blessing and a challenge! Much love to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update, Jeannie. My heart goes out to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWishing Dillon a wonderful preschool experience!
ReplyDeleteContinuing to hold you and your family in my heart and prayers.
I love both Gigi and your blog and while many of us were thinking about how we could help, Gigi provided a way. While individually it may not been much, in total it will send your adorable son to preschool. As a corporate mom, I admire you. It is not easy to do on a day to day basis and with the year you have been faced with I don't think I could have exhibited your grace. I just wish only good things for you and your family in the future.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you Jeannie and wishing I could do more. Lots of love and hugs from CA
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful o get an update from you, Jeannie. I think of you and your gorgeous boys often. I keep you close to my heart and ask for strength and healing so each day gets a little easier. Sending a lot of good thoughts your way!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see an update on your blog! Even thought until recently I never commented on your blog, you were always one of my go to blogs because you were always so funny, incredibly real and you have a killer sense of style! I can't thank Gigi enough for providing a venue to send you some support during this time. Wishing Dillion a wonderful first year at preschool and wishing you strength, healing and happiness.
ReplyDelete{{Hugs.}} Jeannie, thank you for updating your blog. Still sending you and all of your loved ones many prayers, whenever I can.
ReplyDeleteGigi is pretty incredible, agreed. Amazing how friends don't just have to be right there, next to you. They can be there holding out their hand from far away, and yet you can still feel their presence.
Sending well wishes your way. God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteSuch a generous lovely presence all around. It's so heartwarming when people (Thank you, Gigi!) step up and help and encourage and recruit others to help. The internet has helped make the world a more intimate and friendly place. Such good news that the money will help in such an amazing way for your sweet kid. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see an update from you. As others have said better than I can, your love for your family and your kindness always came through! It truly does in this post as well. How great to see that you will use this money to send your adorable son to pre-school. Please know that there are many "internet friends" who are keeping your family in their thoughts. And thanks to Gigi who exhibts the same kindness that you do!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that Gigi was able to set up this fund so that we could help. We couldn't find the words to help your family heal, but we all know how to spend money and that is what we did. I have thought about you and your boys and checked your blog every day so thanks so much for the update! So glad that these funds could be used for Dillon. I have missed your encouraging comments, beautiful outfits and your smiling face and am praying for you and your family each day.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to see an update from you, Jeannie. Still keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting an update, as you and your family have been in my thoughts. I continue to admire your strength and fortitude during what I'm sure is an unbelievably difficult time. It's wonderful that Gigi's notification and the long-distance support of so many can produce something so positive for your family. Wishing you the best.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update, Jeannie. Your courage, faith and strength are inspiring. I was glad Gigi found a way we could help. Sending heartfelt love your way.
ReplyDeleteYour post brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for taking the time to write a very meaningful thank you acknowledgement. Dillon is certain to remember his Dad and cherish his memory. You should know that you will always have many virtual shoulders to lean on and that Gigi's fund is a concrete reminder that you are supported both literally and emotionally. Much love to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteJeannie, it warns my heart to see an update from you. I clearly remember seeing the post that Gigi posted on Facebook about your husband being missing and my heart sank. I recognized his picture right away because you had posted pictures of your family on your blog, which I read often but hardly ever commented on. I was so grateful that Gigi sent out the 911, and kept us informed. It was so hard feeling so helpless, but I prayed hard for you and your family, and didn't think twice about donating to the fund. I only wish I could have done more. We have an amazing community here that I am so proud to be a part of, and to know we made a difference for Dillion - simply amazing. Continued prayers and hugs for you and your family. I am forever in awe of your grace and strength. To Gigi - Thank You, you simply rock.
ReplyDeleteJeannie, so glad you continue to post. I also hope you continue to feel, that in addition to your family and "IRL" friends, a whole virtual community is here for you, even in the most "alone" times. A big "Rock on!" to the incomparable Gigi and many JCAs and your CC readers, for their shared kindness, spirit and generosity. Continued thoughts and best wishes for you and the three boys. Pre-school is a wonderful milestone and that smile is a wow! Another one who is glad we could do some small, tangible thing to support you. Take care of them - and you.
ReplyDeleteJeannie, much love and support from New Canaan, CT!
ReplyDeleteJeannie, I'm very happy to see an update from you :)
ReplyDeleteBig hugs to you and your boys, there I think very often.
Love, Andrea
Sending lots of love to you and the boys. xoxo
ReplyDeleteJeannie, it is so good to read an update from you. You have been in my thoughts, and your courage and strength is truly inspiring. I am thrilled that the fund will help your son. Hugs and plenty of support to you!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeannie:
ReplyDeleteI have no words by the shock of learning about your husband's tragic death. I am complete disbelief because the last post I read from you was when you posted pictures of the two of you at the Kentucky Derby. I have been so swamped with my everyday life that I had not been visiting your blog and others for a while. Words cannot express my deepest of sympathies. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. My heart goes out to you and your beautiful boys. xoxo
You are amazing Jeannie. Gigi is a very, very nice person indeed.
ReplyDeleteJeannie,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to let you know that I, and my family, have kept you and your family in our hearts and minds since I first read Gigi's post. Your ability to smile, your focus on the happiness of your children, and your grace and strength in bearing an unbearable load leave me without words. Please know that throughout this journey, there are fellow JCAs thinking of you every day, and sending you and your family love.
You're so very strong. God bless you and your boys. Your son looks so much like you!
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