Saturday, July 8, 2017

It's For Wil



On July 12 it will be three years since our son, Wil, was shot and killed as he innocently walked down a street in Chicago. I’m not going to rehash it all. If you are curious and want to know the situation and circumstances, I’ve written several posts: “Justice Weeps” and “Our Own Terrible Horrible Day” are the two most recent.

As I’ve written in previous posts, my family and I don’t want pity. We recognize July 12 in our own way, quietly and without much fanfare. It’s the way Wil would have wanted it.

But I do have a favor to ask . . .

Wil was a spontaneous guy. He was fun-loving and good-hearted. Certainly he made his mistakes along the way, just like each of us. We found out at the visitation and at his service how he affected others’ lives in a positive way.

So here is what I would like you to do . . .

It is simple, really. On July 12, I ask you to do some act of random kindness for someone. The person can be known or unknown to you. For examples: while in a line at a fast food restaurant, you could pay for the meal for the guy behind you. When asked why, simply say, “It’s For Wil.” You can add however much of his story as you like or nothing at all. Truly up to you.

Buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks for someone. Buy a donut at Dunkin Donuts for someone. Buy a bouquet of flowers and hand them out one by one to random people or give someone the whole bunch. Whip up a batch of brownies for a neighbor. Text a friend who hasn’t heard from you in a while or send someone an email who hasn’t heard from you. And please, each time, simply say, “It’s For Wil.”

Or not. Don’t have to say anything at all. But do something, some act of random kindness on behalf of Wil.

There are folks who read this column from the USA, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and India along with other countries in the world. This column is read by approximately 120 people a day, sometimes more and sometimes less. Can you imagine what might happen if all of you and all of those who read Simple Thoughts do something kind for someone randomly on July 12? Can you imagine what the outpouring of the gift of love and kindness might do for all those lives we might touch?

And if you care to, stick a note in the comment section of the post. Give me your first name and your city and country and let me know what you did. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you.

May your gift of kindness touch a life in a positive way. May your gift of kindness touch your life in a positive way. And on behalf of my family, I thank you for this consideration. For Wil. Something to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference! God Bless!

To My Readers:

I finished my fifth work of thriller/suspense fiction, Caught in a Web and I’ll keep you posted as to when it will be published.

Please feel free to connect with me at:

Twitter at @jrlewisauthor

Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Joseph.Lewis.Author                          

Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Lewis/e/B01FWB9AOI/                   

If you like Thriller/Suspense fiction, check out my novels:

Available on Amazon for .99 the Lives Trilogy Prequel, Taking Lives:
FBI Agent Pete Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they don’t know one another, the lives of FBI Agent Kelliher and two boys become interwoven with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three of them are on a collision course and when that happens, their lives are in jeopardy as each search for a way out. http://bit.ly/Taking-Lives-JLewis

Stolen Lives, Book One of the Lives Trilogy:
Two thirteen year old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and his team of FBI agents have 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all the others- dead! They have no leads, no clues, and nothing to go on. And the possibility exists that one of his team members might be involved. http://bit.ly/Stolen-Lives-JLewis

Shattered Lives, Book Two of the Lives Trilogy:
Six men escaped and are out for revenge. The boys, recently freed from captivity, are in danger and so are their families, but they don’t know it. The FBI has no clues, no leads, and nothing to go on and because of that, cannot protect them. http://bit.ly/Shattered-Lives-J-Lewis

Splintered Lives, Book Three of the Lives Trilogy:
It began in Arizona with death and it ends in Arizona in death. A 14 year old boy has a price on his head, but he and his family don’t know it. Their family vacation turns into a trip to hell. Out gunned and outnumbered, can this boy protect his father and brothers? Without knowing who these men are? Or how many there are? Or when they might come for him? http://bit.ly/Splintered-Lives-J-Lewis 

4 comments:

  1. I was sitting studying a group of students walked into the Learning Commons at the Golda Meir Library at UW-Milwaukee. I overheard how "starving" they were! They couldn't have the study room till 5:00 and it was occupied by another group so they plopped themselves down to wait to have occupancy of the room. I overheard their conversation regarding where they should order pizza from!?!!?

    Knowing Wil was once a "starving" college student with no money I thought this was a perfect opportunity! Oh how we loved Wil--such a kind caring free-spirited loving young man! His memory lives on! Without a doubt I know Wil was smiling when he saw the faces on these students when they found out "It's for Wil".

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  2. Thank you, Jenn! Means a lot. From our family to you and yours, thank you!

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Thank you for your comment. I welcome your thought. Joe