The Two Things I Want For My Birthday
If you know me even a little, you know that I am distinctly bad at asking for pretty much anything. However, there’s one day a year when I feel kind of ok about asking for something, and that’s the anniversary of my birth. Hey, that’s tomorrow! So, without much further adieu, thing 1 and thing 2.
The make-good
On September 4, 2011, a much beloved man, Trey Pennington, took his own life. Trey was a well-known person in the online world, but what got my attention was that everyone I respected and liked adored him. I don’t think I ever heard anyone say anything bad about Trey, and in these parts, that’s pretty spectacular.
Unfortunately, for all he gave to the online world, the hours and days after Trey’s death were, in many ways, a showcase of the worst facets of social media. Trey’s friends and family were trolled. People wrote blog posts, put together all sorts of things, all just to use the tragedy and Trey’s name to get attention for themselves.
For a year, I’ve been trying to figure out how this wrong could be undone – how Trey’s memory could be honored, how his friends and family might feel that the world of social media is not a bad place after all. As it happens, there is a way, and this is where favor 1 comes in.
Trey left behind 6 children. I didn’t know Trey personally (most unfortunately) but from the posts I read, and in listening to people talk about him, I know his children were the light of his life. Well, his children need help. There is a fund to help Trey’s children, and the best birthday present I could get would be to see the number in that fund climb climb climb. Every little bit helps. It seems like the perfect way to try to add a silver lining to what otherwise is a most tragic situation. It’s quick. It’s easy. I donated tonight. Will you click here and either donate or spread the word?
The Pressure Play
The second thing I ask is a more complicated tale. It is the story of Colin Bower and his 2 sons. Colin’s sons were kidnapped by his wife and taken to Egypt, and he has not been able to get them back for three years now. Please take a second to “like” Colin’s page on Facebook and keep track of what we can do to help. Few things are more painful than seeing Colin’s messages to his sons that he can only hope they see or hear about. It’s high time those boys got home.
So, that’s it. Those are the 2 things I want for my birthday. I want to help the children of a lost father and I want to help the father of missing children. I think we can make both of those things happen, and that would be one heck of a way to start my newest year of life.
If you have any questions, let me know. And thank you!!!
Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityhunter12/596426024/ via Creative Commons
22 Comments
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Not too much to ask for. You are so unselfish and loving. I’m going to check out the fund and the page since you ask for so little. Otherwise, have a beautiful birthday. You deserve it.
@amberrisme Aw. Thanks lady 🙂
Margie, you are a very special human being.
elaine_fogel
@elainecohenfogel Well thanks lady. I appreciate that.
Happy Birthday..I hope you get all you wished for and much more. Blessings to you for having such a compasionate heart.
@MyRivendell Thanks. I appreciate it 🙂
Happy birthday Margie! What a beautiful way to celebrate by spreading kindness like this, I wish for these wishes to come true for you and also for whatever else may make you happy! Have a fantastic day!
@Milaspage Thanks Mila. I hope it does some good!
Happy Birthday @margieclayman . I asked you to remind me about this fundraiser but hadn’t anticipated an entire post! 🙂 Hope you enjoy a fabulous birthday celebration today. xoxo
@allenmireles Well, I cheated. This post was already up 🙂 Thanks Allen 🙂
What a beautiful duet of birthday wishes. I hope you also do something for yourself today, Margie, and have a fantastic day. Wishing you the best.
Love, Geoff
@geoffliving Thanks sir 🙂
Oh @margieclayman …… so selfless. I was thinking of Trey recently, and am glad you posted this link here. Thank you for reminding us to think outside our own needs.
@OneJillian Thanks Jillian 🙂
Happy Birthday Margie. I joined Colin’s FB page. I hope that wherever his ex-spouse is that she can at least send him some information about how his children are.
@lucilla feliciano at the very least. It’s heartbreaking. Thank you!
Happy, happy birthday Margie: your heart is the size of a house. Cheers! Kaarina
@KDillabough Ooh, thank you 🙂
Lovely. Is there a place to contribute to Trey’s children’s fund?
@sharongreenthal Hi Sharon – yes, where “here” is underlined at the bottom of that paragraph should take you to the link.
If you can’t find it let me know!
@margieclayman Ok now I’m wide awake and can see the link. Donation made. Happy Birthday, my friend!
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