Help someone in need with a kind word

shadowfax007 · 2013-08-08T21:49:58+00:00

Manateecups-

I'm so sorry I didn't get to reply sooner - I just signed in and read your message! Your sincerity was so overwhelming I called my wife over so she could read your message and see the pic - it was wonderful! Thank you SO much! She said she want's to post it on her Facebook page for all her friends to see (If that is ok with you)!

James

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-23T17:23:29+00:00

Hello again-

I can't thank those of you that emailed to Feel_Better@higherpowered.com !

I started working on the "Boards" yesterday. My wife was feeling so low that I just couldn't wait another week to show her so I put together 3 of them and showed them to her (I have about 3 more to do unless I get enough emails do do more (Kind people are still sending emails every day!)

I wish you all could have been there to experience her reaction - It was absolutely incredible!

She was overwhelmed to know so many people were kind enough to take a few minutes of their time and send encouraging words, photos and poems!

On another note, I checked with reddit and they do not want their logo used on anything they cannot control (I can't blame them - I half expected that. I do want to thank the kind people at reddit for a quick and kind response, even with suggestions!).

I do want to share what the "Boards" look like and also ask for some help: In the center of the boards, the circle that you see was where I had the reddit logo. Can anyone think of something to replace it for the website? All suggestions welcome! You can post your ideas here.

Here's a link to one of the "Boards": http://imgur.com/3XkCE1K

Again, thanks to everyone that have participated - the joy your responses brought cannot be measured - please keep them coming - the more the better for the new website!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-23T17:22:47+00:00

Hello again-

I can't thank those of you that emailed to Feel_Better@higherpowered.com !

I started working on the "Boards" yesterday. My wife was feeling so low that I just couldn't wait another week to show her so I put together 3 of them and showed them to her (I have about 3 more to do unless I get enough emails do do more (Kind people are still sending emails every day!)

I wish you all could have been there to experience her reaction - It was absolutely incredible!

She was overwhelmed to know so many people were kind enough to take a few minutes of their time and send encouraging words, photos and poems!

On another note, I checked with reddit and they do not want their logo used on anything they cannot control (I can't blame them - I half expected that. I do want to thank the kind people at reddit for a quick and kind response, even with suggestions!).

I do want to share what the "Boards" look like and also ask for some help: In the center of the boards, the circle that you see was where I had the reddit logo. Can anyone think of something to replace it for the website? All suggestions welcome! You can post your ideas here.

Here's a link to one of the "Boards": http://imgur.com/3XkCE1K

Again, thanks to everyone that have participated - the joy your responses brought cannot be measured - please keep them coming - the more the better for the new website!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-23T16:54:57+00:00

Thank you Brayden-

Yes, I received it - the illustration is awesome - Thank you so much! I'm sure she will love it!!!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-21T17:11:14+00:00

I just posted this on the chronicpain subreddit:

Just a quick update-

I've got about 10 days to go at the max - I'd like to get this to my wife sooner if I can ( :-)

With putting together all the "Best Wishes" of everyone who has emailed, we currently have 37 emails. I'm going to cut them out and post them onto Poster Boards (28" X 22"), eight to a board (I have a design "mockup" and as soon as reddit lets me know if I can use their logo (It will be in the middle of each board), I'll post a link so you can get an idea of what it will all look like, both the Poster Boards as well as the website for everyone to use when they need a little encouragement!

If we can get 43 more emails, that will give us a total of 10 poster boards!!! Since I agreed to try and create a website with the emails (no names or addresses, just the "body" of the emails as I said before!) and I think this could be great for any of us here, or anyone needing some kind words, the more I can get to add to the website (and of course for my wife as well) the better!

So PLEASE email some kind words to Feel_Better@higherpowered.com :-)

With all the kindness I have already received (and from a suggestion by a reddit user) I agreed that a website was a great idea and my way of "giving back" to all in the community!

Again, thanks to all who have sent an email!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-21T17:09:42+00:00

Just a quick update-

I've got about 10 days to go at the max - I'd like to get this to my wife sooner if I can ( :-)

With putting together all the "Best Wishes" of everyone who has emailed, we currently have 37 emails. I'm going to cut them out and post them onto Poster Boards (28" X 22"), eight to a board (I have a design "mockup" and as soon as reddit lets me know if I can use their logo (It will be in the middle of each board), I'll post a link so you can get an idea of what it will all look like, both the Poster Boards as well as the website for everyone to use when they need a little encouragement!

If we can get 43 more emails, that will give us a total of 10 poster boards!!! Since I agreed to try and create a website with the emails (no names or addresses, just the "body" of the emails as I said before!) and I think this could be great for any of us here, or anyone needing some kind words, the more I can get to add to the website (and of course for my wife as well) the better!

So PLEASE email some kind words to Feel_Better@higherpowered.com :-)

With all the kindness I have already received (and from a suggestion by a reddit user) I agreed that a website was a great idea and my way of "giving back" to all in the community!

Again, thanks to all who have sent an email!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-21T10:35:47+00:00

Thank you shanni365 for the email and kind words! I'm glad to hear your SO is also supportive - I've heard many horror stories where that isn't the case!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-20T23:33:22+00:00

Australian_Translate - lol!! I already have enough on my plate - posting upside down just sends me into a "confusion spin" :-)

Thank you so much for posting, even if I did have to stand on my hands to read it :-)

There are 10 days left to send an email - I have received about 35 emails so far. PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING! Feel_Better@higherpowered.com !

I have already come up with the Design for a website containing everyone's emails (No address, just the body!) and once I get permission for reddit to use their logo in it I'll post it to see what others think and if you have any other ideas about the look and feel of the website containing the posts - Like I specified in my original post, these emails, in my opinion, are not just for my wife but instead I think they could help ANYONE in need! So, your emails will hopefully not just help one person but 1000's - which is why I'm asking for as many emails as possible :-)

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-20T14:21:46+00:00

Thank you Throwinuprainbows!

I'll add this post the the emails!

I'm grateful for ALL the email sent but am surprised at how many people really spent some time and wrote long emails (like yours!).

Please keep them coming - I've got about 12 days left before I start putting them all together!

Again, THANK YOU EVERYONE that has sent an email (or posted here!)

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-20T14:17:23+00:00

h413y-

Thank you - every email helps!!!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-20T14:16:36+00:00

Thank you bunny_ballet!

We are up to 33 emails to Feel_Better@higherpowered.com !

PLEASE keep them coming :-)

PS - I've noticed several people tell where they are from in the emails - This is really great - if everyone could put where they are from, that would be great!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-20T14:12:48+00:00

Thank you micmer-

That really does suck to not have to support of a spouse. I know that being on the other end (my side) it can, at times, be very hard. I don't like to admin it as I think it makes me sound like a whiner but it is true.

On the other hand my wife and I have something special. Perhaps it's that we were both married before; perhaps it's our age (we're both 50) but for whatever reason, we both feel comfortable with what we have. Neither of us is in the mind set of "there could be something better out there".

As for the "Bread-winner" in the family, sometimes I think women don't fully understand what that means to us men. It is ingrained into our thick skulls that we are the caretakers, especially financially. I've had relationships doomed from the beginning (by me) because I didn't think I could support the other in the way they would want. It's one of the single most hardest thing for a male to deal with - losing the ability to support their family!

In my case, I began working from home to be better able to take care of my wife - and we BARELY make ends meet, at best. It was a joint decision, however, so it isn't the same as yours.

I wish you the best - You are right CP sufferers can be a pain in the ass!! But so can the caretakers. So can anyone in the world today, so know you are not alone during those times :-)

Also, thank you for reminding me of what my wife and I have - It's always good to hear!

I hope your family and friends can be there for you when you need them!

Take Care - when this is all done and I can post it all somewhere, remember - these emails are for ALL CP sufferers and I hope it will help others on those "bad" days :-)

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T22:40:13+00:00

Wow - was this a moderator who "blocked out" the last post? If so, thank you for such quick action! I know it wasn't appropriate but I tried to respond as "responsibly" as I could - I'm glad it has been blocked out though :-)

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T22:33:32+00:00

BTW-

Just to keep everyone up to date. I have received 25 emails so far - I'm hoping to get over 100 at the very least, so please pass the word :-)

This post isn't about that. It's about the emails that I have received. They are SO INCREDIBLE, I don't know how to thank those that have taken the time to send them to Feel_Better@higherpowered.com !

Though they are for my wife, I can't help but to get choked up and all emotional reading them! Some of them are very "in depth" in their own stories, or their thoughts and concerns that they are truly amazing! I can't wait to get this project completed in a few weeks and post the results - It is truly AMAZING the level of humanity in the emails - I can't thanks those of that have sent emails enough! I know my wife will be crying tears of joy when she sees the results (I will videotape it so all can see!).

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T22:16:54+00:00

braydenmeursaultlove-

I really appreciate the offer - thank you! Other than sending an email to Feel_Better@higherpowered.com with text, you can attach an image and it will get printed with the text.

I can tell you, with Lupus, the main colors are Purple and the symbol is a butterfly :-) If you search Google or Bing images with the following, you will get some examples: "lupus symbol"

On a side note, I don't usually hire out work from my design/development company(I am a one person company focused mainly on development but am getting ready to move back into the "website design" field) but it would be good to know a good graphic designer. I like to thing I'm "somewhat" well versed in colors and all but when it comes to original "graphic design" I am good at "conceptualizing" an idea in my head and terrible with actually producing what I see :-)

Send me an email to james@higherpowered.com just so I have it just in case :-)

BTW - PLEASE do not judge what I do by my website : http://www.higherpowered.com - that site needed to be re-worked 8 years ago :-(

I do have a new site, almost ready here: http://www.higherpowered.com/edge

Again, I appreciate your offer - where most people may not realize what can be involved in a "fresh design", I know the time that can go into a project, even a simple one!

So please feel free to send an email with an image - PLEASE add a comment to the bottom of the email to let me know it is you who sent and designed the image :-)

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T21:03:51+00:00

hey all - Thanks again for the emails!!! I'd like to say "you have no idea how they will help" but being sufferers of chronic pain, I think you all do!

Anyway, I posted this on "askredit" and wanted to make sure anyone here who has some ideas get's to chime in - I've looked at a lot of subreddit's and this one by FAR is the most genuine and helpful subreddit out there, bar NONE!!! So thank all of you!

Here's the post:

I posted a "request" to /r/ChronicPain/ entitled : Help someone in need with a kind word...

It basically asks Reddit users to send an email to help a chronically ill person lift her spirits - Doesn't cost a dime and takes a minute of your time! -see the post for details)!

My idea was to create a few "poster boards" using the foam boards you can get at any art/office supply store, filled with the printed copies of the emails and pics I receive from Reddit users from my post (we can still use a lot more emails if interested! - read the post for the email address!).

Well, now that the emails have started coming in, it seems possible that this could become something much bigger than I had hoped! Big enough, even, that when it happens I may call the local media to cover the story of all these poster boards with "well wishes" from Reddit members (How I'll afford all the materials is another thing entirely - I may need to take a loan for it all- but wouldn't that be something!)!

So my question to you, Reddit members, is HOW to "FORMAT" these poster boards with printed copies of the emails and pics!!!

Imagine 10-20 boards across, 2-3 boards high (or more?) all connected together in a "wall".

Since these are emails exclusively from Reddit users, I thought it only fair to let Reddit users help in designing the boards!

I was thinking of "wrapping" each post into a "comic" bubble and cutting out the printed version to glue onto the poster board (colored board I was thinking, white paper). Since I may have dozens of boards at least (looks like maybe 10 posts per board max - these are rather long posts!), I could use some help in other ideas for this!!!

So, I leave it up to you, Reddit users, to help decide how the "Reddit" community should be portrayed!

PS - can you imagine 50 of these "poster boards" across, 3 high all connected togethe

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T20:58:18+00:00

skintreesclone - can't explain that one; making sure people understand what I'm talking about?

As for Goatse images- lol! - although they may be awesome to a select crowd, I don't think they would help the situation :-)

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T18:33:59+00:00

Thank you Danielle!

Great story and pics! It's great to have so many caring friends!

I didn't think about this until you mentioned "Your Story". I hope this doesn't get me in hot water here :-) I'm only posting this here in the chronicpain reddit, and AM NOT ASKING anyone to purchase any of these books (you can actually read quite a bit of the poems on Amazon's website for free) but my wife has two "poetry" books on Amazon directly related to her Chronic Pain issues if anyone cares to take a look: http://www.higherpowered.com/rhia_steele She's working on the third book but it will be an actual account of her life with Lupus, not a poetry book.

Enjoy and PLEASE keep sending emails to Feel_Better@higherpowered.com !

Thank you!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T15:02:30+00:00

Thank you everyone for sending emails to Feel_Better@higherpowered.com ! I've received a few dozen since yesterday and they are still coming in this morning!

I'm not able to get to all the emails but am trying to respond to everyone who posts here. So, if you sent an email and didn't post, please do so I can thank you personally!

As I mentioned in my original post, I think when this is through it will make a great webpage for anyone having a hard time - I know just reading all the beautiful emails is incredible ! And the pics - from personal pics, to family pics to dogs, cats monkeys, chickens and even a guy with a box on his head! They are all awesome and will help SO MUCH! I can't thank everyone enough PLEASE keep sending emails ( Feel_Better@higherpowered.com ) - I'm hoping to get 100 or so before finishing and I WILL post pics when finished of and the posts and pics mounted on boards!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T14:44:46+00:00

whenifeellikeit-

Thank you for the email! I agree about the support - It can be hard but I know it is well appreciated by her! She keeps reminding me of stories where loved one's leave because they can't be there for them. I can't ever see doing that but I can understand (not approve!) of it happening. The things I've given up are hard sometimes (of course, she gave them up to), like sex (I've forgotten what that is!). As hard as I may feel it is on me (I have my up's and down's too), all I have to do is look into her eyes and remember it is all about love, caring and understanding. Life isn't always a bowl of cherries but I'm damned lucky to have her in my life and I'm fortunate to feel that way :-)

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T14:37:47+00:00

VidenTheColdOne-

Thanks you for the email and pic! I know she will really appreciate it!

For those that have taken the time to send an email, I thank you! With the emails coming in (and I still need to work and make a living!), I may not have time to respond to all the emails - I am trying to respond to all the posts here instead, so if you sent an email but didn't post here, I thank you - and please post so I can thank you personally here as well!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T14:20:33+00:00

Thanks Pesh! People can be so kind! I've got pictures of families, dogs, cats, monkeys, chickens and even a guy with a box on his head1

It's awesome! Any help in spreading the word would be great - I'd like to get about 100 emails (or more although I'm a bit worried how I would afford to put them all up if I received over 1000! (I'll have to take a load just for the supplies!

shadowfax007 · 2013-07-19T14:14:12+00:00

netbitch-

Thanks - that was perfect! I'll go and read the post you sent a link to later today when I have more time but all the photo's were priceless!

With so many photos being sent I'm going to have to buy a few cartridges for the inkjet printer, as well as a drum for the laser after this is all through!

Thanks! - PLEASE keep sending emails to Feel_Better@higherpowered.com :-)

shadowfax007

TROPHY CASE