Day 811 - Another Reason Why I Love SparkPeople

One of the many things I appreciate about SparkPeople is the generousness and kindness that I've found in my fellow Sparkers. Everyone is here to be helpful and supportive, and that made it so easy for me to find some kindred spirits and get the support I needed to be successful.

A recent friend, whom I met last July at a conference for California Community College administrators, sent me a private message on Facebook earlier this week. Her son, only 30 years old, was found dead in his condo that morning. She was distraught and thought she could confide in me. I was so honored that she did, but I wasn't sure that I had the capacity to be much help. I don't have any children of my own, although I think I'm sympathetic enough to be able to imagine how much pain and anxiety a parent feels when that happens.

I did, however, have a SparkFriend who had been through that trauma and survived to tell her story. I am so glad she did! Because I knew her, I thought she might have some words of comfort and support for my other friend.

A couple SparkMail messages, followed by an exchange of emails, and I can't begin to tell you how moved I was to read their notes to each other. I know that they will become new friends in their shared grief, and the support that they can give each other will be immeasurable.

Something in the cosmos told my friend that she needed to let me know what happened so that I could put these two loving spirits together.

It's just another Spark.