In This Issue
What Friends Give
Special Days
Friendship isn't always 50/50
What Friends Do for Cheer: Thanksgiving
WhatFriendsDo.com User Tip
A Special Message
What Friends GIVE

Looking for that special gift to help your friend, or just to put a smile on someone's face?

 
Order a Holiday Gift Cake 

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Special Days 

The WhatFriendsDo.com concept of "celebrating" special days allows friends to stay in touch from near and far, during happy times and difficult times. 

November 7 - Make a List Day

November 8 - Bake and Take Day

November 9 - Rebuild a Memory Day

November 10 - Forget-Me-Not Day

November 11 - Veteran's Day

November 12 - Chicken Soup for the Soul Day

November 13 - Windows Washing Day

November 13 - World Kindness Day

November 14 - Operating Room Nurse Day

November 14 - Young Readers Day

 

 

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."

-- Albert Schweitzer

 
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WhatFriendsDo.com
November Newsletter

Greetings! 
 
The WhatFriendsDo.com newsletter delivers helpful tips, resources and ideas to your Inbox.  We hope you find this information helpful in helping your friend in need as well as other friends who may benefit from these ideas.
Friendship isn't always 50/50

 

Whatever illness, crisis, recovery or transition your friend is going through, he or she quite possibly cannot respond to your friendship right now. Just remember - it's not about you right now. Returning phone calls, acknowledging cards or meals or other help may take more energy and time than your friend has to spare. Be patient, and continue to stay in touch from your end. Your friend will be so grateful that you're not giving up and that you are allowing him or her the space needed right now.

 

Learn to put aside your own discomfort about the situation your friend faces. Your friendship and continued presence are needed now. You don't have to know what to say and you don't have to have answers. Just listen and be there. It's OK to ask questions, but just a smile and a wave can also mean a lot.

What Friends Do for Cheer:
Thanksgiving
 
Holidays will be different this year for people going through a serious illness, grief, a move to a new city, birth of a new baby, job loss or divorce.  For some families, traditions may not be able to be carried out in their normal way this year.  Whatever your friend's circumstance is, remember that friends can make the holidays easier.  Start by acknowledging the reason the day is different or difficult.  Then do what you can to help your friend and his/her family begin new traditions, carry on old traditions in a bit of a different way if need be, or just help your friend get through the day. 
 
Ways to make Thanksgiving special

Be sure your friend's family has a special meal 

Decorate for the holidays
 
Get a tablecloth and fabric pen and make a Thanksgiving tablecloth 

Gather everyone together--virtually!

Make a list of things you are thankful for 
 

Your comments are so important!

Do you often check your friend's WhatFriendsDo.com team page, anticipating an update from our about your friend?   Your friend is likely to also be checking for new blog replies and guestbook entries, and checking to see if anyone new has added his/her name to the team list.  Your comments and messages of encouragement will energize and nurture your friend.  Your friend may not be able to sleep at night, and may read and re-read emails, guestbook entries and blog replies, so make sure you're doing your part by posting messages often.
A message for the season...
 
To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under the sun.
A time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill and a time to heal ...
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance ...
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to lose and a time to seek;
a time to rend and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.
 

What Friends Do makes sure that, when there is a time for tears, there is also a time for love and laughter, and when there is bitterness, there is also sweetness.  It is comfort and balance for those times when balance is lacking.  It's the best, most loving response for a time of need. 

 

Been there, had that - pass the gifts along!
--Amy Rees
We might not be able to change the outcome of your situation, but we hope we can change the journey!
 
Sincerely,
WhatFriendsDo.com StaffWhatFriendsDo Butterfly
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