I started following Elizabeth’s blog sometime last spring, over a year ago now. I clicked over to her blog from another blog, read one of her posts, and have never looked back since.
Hers is the blog I used to read first thing in the morning as soon as I got to school, and nowadays when she posts in the afternoon, I will sit in my car huddled over my phone just to read what she has to say.
I was pulled in that very first day by her story and by her writing.
Since then, I’ve been a loyal follower of E Tells Tales. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you. Zan knows it. Meg knows it. My real life friends know it. And my blog friends know it. Whenever there is blog talk happening, and someone goes and asks about my favorite blogs, Elizabeth’s is always the first I mention. She is an incredible writer, has a fascinating life story, and is the mom to one CUTIE PIE KID.
Since reading her blog, we’ve become friends, too. Not the kind that meet for coffee, but the kind that tweet to each other and have skype dates every now and again. She’s funny, she’s real, and she’s kind. And since reading her blog, she’s introduced me to other blog friends. Some directly, and some indirectly. A few even, who are closer in distance, that I have had coffee with. Elizabeth has created a community through her writing that I have yet to find anywhere else on the internet. And it’s a special thing.
Anyways, why am I telling you this?
Because this week and last she had a story on her blog that really touched me. It touched a lot of people, actually. And so I thought I’d take the time to share it here so that maybe it will touch you, too.
Elizabeth’s husband, Mike was the owner of a family-run store. A small-town grocer that put his life and soul into providing food and supplies for the people in his community. There was a story about that store on Elizabeth’s blog last week that I hope you will read.
There is sadness in those posts, and worry, but it’s important that you read them.
There is Good News, too, very good and hopeful news, so you’ll definitely want to read that.
Elizabeth is a teacher, so she is one of my own.
If you want to help you can adopt her classroom. She teaches high school English and needs help with supplies for her students and with purchasing books for growing her classroom library. As a teacher myself, and as a reading specialist, there is nothing more important than providing literature for students, this I believe with all my heart. It is the backbone of learning and it’s something that I feel incredibly strongly about.
You can help adopt Elizabeth’s classroom HERE.
You can help out her family specifically by visiting HERE.
And lastly, you can make a strong effort to buy local and support small businesses in your community. You can help other family’s like Elizabeth’s by buying from local stores in your town and supporting local shops and markets, otherwise all the little stores will soon be gone.
I hope you’ll give some of your time to reading Elizabeth’s story today. It was important to me that I share it and maybe you’ll want to share it after reading it, too.
Have a lovely weekend, friends. ♥
I’m so in love with Elizabeth’s blog too. I think I found it through you and Claire actually. I love this blog world so much because of things like this. Definitely making a greater effort to buy locally and support family owned businesses.
Yes, the blog world is truly an amazing place and I am glad we are both a part of it!
Dearest Anna,
You have the sweetest soul. I feel so lucky to have you in my life now and so upset we haven’t had to chance to meet in real life yet. What was I doing in Boston without you???
Thank you for spreading the word. Seriously, thank you.
And thank you for being such an amazing reader and friend!
Love,
E
We will meet someday I just know it. And we will both be happy and glad!
Keep your chin up, E. Lots of people are looking out for you. You have touched our hearts!
Anna (and E) – this is a beautiful, albeit sad, story and it just shows that during the yuckiness of it all there is always brightness that shines through thanks to the good people out there. My thoughts are with your friend E and her journey and I love a good connection to helping those who deserve it, thank you for sharing.
xo
Thanks, Sara! Thanks so much.
I’m beyond jealous that you get to Skype with Elizabeth. Her blog is probably one of my favorites, and her writing brings me to tears sometimes. Love. I love this post Anna :)
I had visited Elizabeth’s blog awhile back and appreciate the update. Thanks for raising this issue – she should get on DonorsChoose.org as well
Thanks for sharing this info! Its thanks to E I found your blog. :)
This makes me happy! :)
i love that picture of them. can’t wait to see you so soon.
SO SOON! And I really can’t wait! :-D
I am definitely going to try to make time to read those posts this week while I’m on vacation, and I would love to help her grow her library for we students!
You will love it Lauren– try to read her love story if you get a chance, too. Her writing is just incredible and if anyone appreciates good writing I know it’s you! :)
I love Elizabeth’s blog, reading her story was also an emotional experience for me. What a kind gesture of you to share her story again to others and spread the word of how to help. It continually find it amazing how blogging connects us with people we might have never met. We’re able to meet these people cross-country and form friendships over the internet. Thanks for sharing.
What an awesome post! I cried over E’s story when she posted it and adopted her classroom. I hope you and others who are spreading the word help to ease some of the unfairness they have been dealt.
you are the best, anna. like actually the best. this warmed my heart and there is so much love in this post and i can’t stop smiling. you are a treasure. and i def will check out e! :)
Hey! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to
me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!