Update on Grace-Related Events, Monday, May 23, 2011

Latest update: Monday, May 23, 2011, 10:00 AM

10:00 AM - There hasn't been much to report since Grace's memorial service here in Jackson, until now.

Now things are starting to get rolling on two fronts: First, putting together the memorial service for Grace in Fort Lauderdale, and second, putting together a compilation of anecdotes involving Grace, from those who knew and loved her.

Here's an extract of an email I just sent out to everyone for whom I had an email address, who knew Grace.

Hello, Everyone,

I'm sending this out to everyone in my address book who knew Grace, and requesting that you also please send it on to people you know who also knew her, so we can be sure as many people get this as possible.

IN THIS EMAIL: I'll tell you all we know so far about the memorial service for Grace in Fort Lauderdale, and I'm requesting you send me some anecdotes about her.

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE:
As of now, the memorial service for Grace is set for Saturday, June 25, 2011, at 3PM in Sunset Presbyterian Church on Davie Blvd in Fort Lauderdale.

I'm relying on each of you to notify everyone who knew Grace about this service, so they can make their own decisions about whether they can attend. Please don't assume someone knows about it - let them know again anyway, especially if you think they don't have email, or don't use computers. It would be better for someone to get several notifications and reminders rather than take the chance that they don't hear about it, right?

Grace's friend Marie Leonhard in Fort Lauderdale will be setting up the arrangements for the service, including coordinating the order of the service, making sure the church is booked for the event, and setting up the visitation beforehand and the assembly/celebration afterwards. Details on this will be posted on the blog (see below for more about that) as soon as they're available.

I NEED YOUR ANECDOTES ABOUT GRACE:
Grace had a major impact on many people's lives. She loved nothing more than to sit with those she loved, friends as well as family, and tell stories of things that had happened, both recently and long ago. Possibly the only thing she loved as much as telling these stories was hearing them.

I know all of you have these stories, involving Grace.

I'm asking each of you to send them to me. Send me anecdotes, things you remember about things that happened when you were with Grace. And definitely YES, please send more than one if you remember more than one.

My intent with these anecdotes is to do three things with them: First, I'd like to post them on the blog, so all who loved her can go there and read them. I'd like to do at least one a day, until I run out of anecdotes. Second, I'd like to compile them into an eBook, which is nothing more than a well laid-out computer file you can double-click on and read it like a book, except on your computer screen. And third, I'd like to make this book, this "Memories Of Grace" book, available as an actual printed book. We can do this through one of the modern publishers (called "Print On Demand" publishing), so it shouldn't be too expensive, even if they only print a few of them.

So please, send me your anecdotes about Grace. Write them as though you were telling them to someone who knows Grace but might not know you well. If possible, put some sort of time reference in it, such as, "One time, when Jan was about ten years old..." or "This happened sometime in the mid-1970's...." just so we readers can get a bit of orientation for the story.

Yes, I want SOMETHING from everyone! Even if it's short. Send me something funny, something nostalgic, something poignant, or even something mundane. Just send it, and share what you remember of Grace with the others who love her.

That's it for now. I look forward to hearing from each of you. And I look forward to seeing all of you who can make it in Fort Lauderdale in late June.

Take care, everyone.

David

 
So there you have it. Please send me your anecdotes soon, so we can include them here on this blog, and put them into the "Memories Of Grace" book.

Once Shelley and I get the book put together, we'll let you know, both here and via email, how you can get a copy if you want it.

That's it for now.

Take care, everyone.

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