Monthly Archives: September 2014

Week #2 – Say Hello Like You Mean It!

(Photo credit: Grace Church)

Rob and Nina (Photo credit: Grace Church)

Week #2 – Say Hello Like You Mean It!

After his initial big wave, one of the things most people remember about Rob is his greeting: whether it was a flat and long “Heeeeeeey Grace!”, or a squeaky and high pitched “Neeeeeena!” when encountering our little guest dog, or a nonsensical “Jimmy-Jimmy-Two-by-Four” in a random five-second voicemail.  Rob had a unique and enthusiastic greeting for each and every person he met.  What about you?!

Your assignment for this weekend: say HELLO like you mean it!  Consciously greet everyone with your own signature how-are-ya.  I know people with a distinct “Hey!”, or “Wassup?”, or even a “Yoooooo-Hooooo!”  Personally, I tend to make up nicknames for people as a sign of my affection.  If you can’t think of something — borrow one of Rob’s, try something on for size, or make up one of your own!  And let us know how it goes!

How do you say “Hello”?  Spread the happiness…and share it in the comments!

9/26/14 by Grace Church
© Grace Church

Week #1 – Wave Big

(Photo credit: Courtesy of Gina Buongiorno)

(Photo credit: Courtesy of Gina Buongiorno)

Happy Friday!

And welcome back to SpreadHappyness.com!  It was two weeks ago that our precious brother and friend left this earth.  As promised…I’m here to remind you of him, to discuss all the ways Rob spread happiness to people, and to challenge you to carry his spirit forward by adopting his special code for spreading happiness to all who now cross your path!

Week #1 Challenge – Wave Big

There are so many things I miss about Rob — but one of the things I miss most, and I’ve missed it all summer, is his big wave.  Do you know the one I’m talking about?!  I could see it from a mile away.  In fact, I could often spot him from my porch — or from the ocean, or from the pier — just by his silhouette.  And then, each and every time, that long right arm would swing out to the side and up overhead and he’d raise his big right paw in the air.  I have looked for that wave since he disappeared from the beach this spring — and I know it will be the first thing I see when we meet again!

So…your assignment this weekend is to come up with a signature wave!  Most people give a small little raise of the hand that hardly gets noticed.  I’m talking about something someone can see from a distance!  My mother (I can pick on her because she’s not on the internet!) enthusiastically greets everyone by waving both hands in the air like she about to leave port (my partner Jim calls this the “Titanic wave”).  Do you have a signature wave?  If not, try some on for size this weekend — and let us know how it goes!

Do you remember Rob waving to you?  Paint us a picture — tell us about it in the comments!

9/19/14 by Grace Church
© Grace Church

Thank you for coming to visit!

SpreadHappyness.com was created in honor of my beloved brother and best friend, Robert Church Jr., who died on Friday, September 5th after a short battle with cancer.  He was 40 years old.

It is my wish to identify and carry forward (through weekly blogposts/challenges) the torch of Rob’s legacy — which I believe was his natural ability to spread happiness to anyone who was lucky enough to cross his path.  If you knew Rob, you already know this to be true.  And I bet you have a story all your own about something Rob said or did — maybe even 20 years ago — that continues to make you happy today!  I want to hear those stories!!!

If you didn’t get to meet Rob, let me introduce you.  I pledge to deliver a little dose of him to you every Friday morning (at least) via this blog.  Because cancer is not the only thing that can spread.  Happiness can take on a life of it’s own too!  It will be up to us to carry his light forward by sharing our stories, living his lessons, and spreading happiness to those who are now lucky enough to cross our paths!

With great love and affection for you all…
Grace (aka “Rob’s sister!”)

PS: Tell me — How did Rob spread happiness in your life?

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