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Farewell, Andrew McNaugton

Thanks to Carrie Butler for creating this awesome virtual balloon!


So, today is the day of Andrew McNaughton's funeral. During a week of sadness, I know for sure I have been lifted by the kindness and generosity you have all shown for Nick Wilford and his family as they slowly begin to prepare and adjust for life without Andrew. (If you'd like to join in with the blogger virtual funeral for Andrew, the details are here)

Aside from when I let you all know how much you raised, this will probably be the last time I post about Andrew until the anthology launch, so I want to take this time to thank you all again for everything. Messages, donations, pictures, ideas on ways to help, and this exceptional outpouring of love and support have overwhelmed me, and I know it has filtered through to Nick. Your messages will be passed on as the family will need all the help they can get once the funeral is over, and they try to find some semblance of normality without Andrew. 

Fellow blogger Michelle Wallace called Andrew "an amazing young man who inspired a writing community." - This is perfect. A perfect description for Nick and Heather's superstar.

So far this morning, your balloons, and flowers, and candles have made me cry - not just with sadness for Andrew's family, but with happiness that you all care enough to release a balloon in the middle of the night, or light a candle and say a prayer, or create a virtual balloon so those who couldn't get access to a real balloon could still join in the celebration of Andrew's life. In a world where people often utter things like, "Nobody cares anymore," you have proved them all wrong. You've proved that, when it counts, people DO care. They love, and they feel and they grieve for people they've never met because we're all connected - not just through the magic of the internet  but through the fact that, when it comes down to it, we could all imagine ourselves in the terrible position of losing someone we love.

This post stands, not only as a tribute to Andrew, but to every single one of you who reads this, who thinks about Andrew today, who has sent a message for Nick, who has donated, who has joined or will join in with Andrew's funeral celebrations, and who has said a prayer, and felt this loss as if it were your own.

I thank you sincerely for everything.

Comments

  1. Clare15 November 2013 at 11:57

    Perfect. I couldn't have said it better. The blogging community is awesome. RIP Andrew. <3

    ReplyDelete
  2. Annalisa Crawford15 November 2013 at 11:57

    A beautiful and well-worded post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Elise Fallson15 November 2013 at 11:58

    <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mark Koopmans15 November 2013 at 12:07

    Hey Kyra,

    In a week filled with numbness and despair, you had the balls to stand up and say, "Follow me, I have an idea in how we can all help."

    For that, and for this post, I say, "THANK YOU."

    ReplyDelete
  5. Christine Rains15 November 2013 at 12:37

    A beautifully written post. Love that virtual balloon too. I'm wearing red today for Andrew.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Suzanne Furness15 November 2013 at 12:40

    Beautiful post and tribute. I have been thinking about all of Andrew's family today and will be lighting a candle later. Rest in peace, Andrew, you will never be forgotten.

    ReplyDelete
  7. PK HREZO15 November 2013 at 13:36

    What a beautiful post, Kyra. It's moving when so many people come together to share the love and support. It's a great reminder that sometimes all we have to do is ask. I think we all forget that sometimes. Thanks for all you've done. I know Nick will be without words for your love and support.
    ((hugs))

    ReplyDelete
  8. Shell Flower15 November 2013 at 14:08

    A lovely tribute to a real life hero. Thanks for all you are doing to help Nick and his family. Sometimes the only solace a family has when losing a child is the outpouring of support that comes out of the community. People do care. The blogging community is there for each other just like our local communities.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous15 November 2013 at 15:07

    It is an honor to be a part of such a caring community. To lament the loss of another...to witness such a gripping show of support spread across the globe...to feel connections that make a massive world smaller somehow...that is the beauty of humanity. I imagine sweet Andrew is looking down upon us with a sense of hope...for his family...for his memory...for us all.

    ReplyDelete
  10. L.G. Keltner15 November 2013 at 16:05

    Thank you for the beautiful post and for everything else you have done over the past week. You are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sheena-kay Graham15 November 2013 at 17:58

    You have done plenty to help Nick and his family Kyra. I salute you. Yes we are connected by more than just blogs and internet. We are connected by the love and community we have with each other. I remember how glad I was to contribute to and purchase a copy of the anthology Nick organized to help get Andrew into that special school. While it is sad he's gone I know he knew he was loved both by family and even people he never got to meet.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Talli Roland15 November 2013 at 18:03

    Hi Kyra, what a wonderful thing you're doing. Can you let me know if you're still taking donations? I've just heard the sad news and I'd like to help, if I can.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jennie Bennett15 November 2013 at 18:15

    I wish I could do so much more. My heat aches for Nick and his family at this time, but the support has been phenomenal. It's truly amazing the support of other writers. We're a huge net of friends all over the globe. Prayers for Nick!

    ReplyDelete
  14. ilima15 November 2013 at 18:42

    Okay this post made me cry. So beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  15. VikLit15 November 2013 at 18:56

    Lovely post. I did not know the funeral was today. I will be thinking of them.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nicki Elson15 November 2013 at 21:17

    A gorgeous tribute, Kyra. I was just able to launch my balloon & sent pics---please let me know if you didn't get them. The balloons just vanished from view a few minutes ago, so I'm sure that must mean Andrew gathered it up in his bundle.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Crystal Collier15 November 2013 at 22:07

    Kyra, thank you for heading this up. All of this has brought my mind back again and again to my special need brother and the amazing, sweet, quirky person he was. It was difficult enough to lose such a brother, and I can't even imagine how it would be to lose a son. Love to Nick and family!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Carrie Butler16 November 2013 at 02:15

    Beautiful tribute, Kyra. Thank you for all of your hard work!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Melissa17 November 2013 at 15:01

    Wonderful post, Kyra. Thanks for taking time out of your busy life to organize everything.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Livia Peterson17 November 2013 at 15:47

    Thank you for organizing the tributes, Kyra. I am glad I could help out. Thoughts and prayers go out to Nick, Heather, and family.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Trisha18 November 2013 at 06:55

    Very well said, Kyra. And you have been amazing in taking on this task along with your co-organisers, and inspiring so many to be a part of it.

    RIP, Andrew.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mark Koopmans18 November 2013 at 09:44

    Hey,

    Just saw the video, via A-Cav's post and wow.... that is an amazing tribute video, Kyra.

    Hugs and thanks again for caring so much...

    ReplyDelete

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