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Power Of Active Rain- Patriotism Prevails over Protest

The Power of the Rain

Last week I wrote a little post about when hate came to my town. While it wasn't a featured Post...nor widely read by Rainers, it had a life of it's own.

My little post traveled, far and wide, beyond the borders of Hampstead, New Hampshire. A college student in Newton, Mass. found it and sent the link home to her mother in Hampstead. A woman in Maine who read it, was really touched by it, felt compelled to let me know how it made her feel. She told me that she passed my words on to others as she felt it was something that everyone should read.

I've had e-mails from people talking about the impact of my "Voice" and how my post affected them.

Union Leader Newspaper Today I'm on the front page of the biggest NH newspaper,The Union Leader and on the front page of their website...so is Active Rain. It was amazing to be interviewed and have the write up be on the front page. I was interviewed by Shawne Wickham and she was excellent. Patriotism

I'm so honored and touched by the reaction of so many that I don't know what to say but "thank you" for reading.

Was it The Power of the Rain that sent that blog post beyond my little world. Absolutely! Was it my voice...have I finally found it ? I'm not sure but I think I'm getting closer.

The Power of the Rain...gave me my voice. Then TLW...Billie Tutas started the REALTY Blogging Book Club which helped me find my voice and along with the other lovely ladies of the book club I was able to grow and refine my voice. Active Rain became my learning center...I've blogged about Mice and Biker Chicks but writing about Hate was scary. Writing about Hate propelled me outside of my comfort zone. I wasn't even sure I should post it but Jay encouraged me to do so. I was afraid as it all seemed so personal but I posted it anyway.

I can't believe the reaction my little Hate post has received outside the Rain.

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Posted by Monika McGillicuddy~REALTOR®~ N.H. Real Estate Broker & Trainer on 04/22/2007 03:45 PM

Comments (44)

union leader, patriotism, protest, hampstead new hampshire, active rain, monika mcgillicuddy, jay mcgillicuddy, shawne wickham

This post has been included in New Hampshire Information Rockingham County, NH Information Hampstead, NH Information

44 Comments on Power Of Active Rain- Patriotism Prevails over Protest

APR

2007

Monika,

Congrats...great way to get exposure and of course your name in lights!

Very cool, Monika. Too bad it takes an event like you described. Sounds like it was a tough one to wrtie but it was done so well. Congratulations!

Jeff

Monika

Congratulations! If anyone deserves notoriety with the media it's you. Way to go.

Thanks Neal...I was pretty surprised about how much life my post took on.

Jeff...It was a painful day but writing about made it easier for me to process.

Ed...Thank you so much. I appreciate your comment.

Sorry that I missed the post the other day. I just went back and read it. This radical church has been doing this for a long time. The last time I heard anything about them was when a judge ruled that they could say whatever they wanted, but they had to be at least 500-feet away from the funeral.

It's the one's that you are surprised at that makes it an extra bonus or surprise.

I am so PROUD of you Monika - this is the greatest news!! You totally deserve it! And you still have doubts about finding your voice?? We hear you LOUD and CLEAR!! You are awesome.....CONGRATULATIONS!

Monika, Your post on HATE was very touching and written from the heart. It should have been picked up by the media and I'm glad it was. Great job Monica!

Monika -

IMHO, you are one (if not the epitome) of those "shining stars" I mentioned in your previous post. I truly hope to have the opportunity to meet you one day.

Scott

Monika- Congrats on the fantastic exposure. Too bad that it had to be about such a tough topic. But I think it was because it was/is such a tough topic, one outside your comfort zone, that your voice was heard. You were the contrarian. I'm glad Jay encouraged you to write it. Good job!

Monika- You put into words what a lot of people are feeling. Your post made me cry. We've had the same "hate" here in Colorado. If it is so painful for us, I can't imagine how the families feel. I hope they know that we hurt with them and that we will never forget how their family member gave his/her life for our protection. Thanks for writing about such a difficult topic. We all need to hear it. I'm glad your words found wings.

I just finished reading this post & your initial post...very powerful. We have witnessed similar situations in Michigan. It is such a raw feeling to have outsiders feel that they have a right to intrude on the pain of a community simply to make a point. Thank you for sharing & Congratulations on the recognition of your work by the media.

Monika,

Congratulations on the great publicity. I just read you post on Hate. I have seen these people on TV at funerals and thought how sick and hateful but reading your post I felt like I was there in your town with you and the grieving family members who had to see such hate during such a painful time.

I think Hate is the only word. I saw the pictures of their signs in your post and I don't really understand what they are protesting against. My heart goes out to your town and the family of the fallen soldier. While I was saddened by your post I'm happy that some good has come from it. You certainly have a Voice.

I missed the first post. It makes me sick just reading it. It was titled perfectly. Good for you for writing it and congratulations on the publicity.

Monika, I read your Hate post and it was very well written. Anyone who is critical of the young men and women who go off to war should be ashamed of themselves. If they disagree with it they should voice it towards the politician, not these young people who so courageously face the enemy

Monika,

I did not see your post until now, (I went back to read it). What a horrible thing and I too have been blissfully unaware of this type of thing. Is it hate or money that they are pushing? To show up at a funeral with any protest other than to protest the death of that person is absolutely outrageous. Our Constitution was not written with this type of idiocy in mind, I'm sure. Congratulations on "finding your voice". Guess it was there all along, just took something like this to push it out.

What a great post. I just read it. It needed to be posted. You did an excellent job.

Monika... I am semi late, but I will ditto many comments mentioned. Overall, this is awesome. CONGRATS.

jeff belonger

That's so cool being acknowledged like that.

Monika-Wow! How awesome! I thought that post and comments were the best I have ever participated in. Now that is blogging. I am going to add one thing, this is an opportunity to stand with the Man holding the flag and all the other people who stood by him. We have to believe and have faith that good always prevails and attempt to put a positive spin on life. Not sugar coating it but seeing the lesson or hero that saved the day rather than what caused it! We will always be in tormoil with others, we can't all agree but we should be able to co-exist. I didn't even bother to read about the group protesting for me all I want to know is that gentleman's name! You Rock Monika!

Roger...Thank you so much! I think 500 feet is even too close. I wish we could keep them out completely.

Neal...You are absolutely correct. I thought my outrage at something that apparently goes on everywhere wouldn't be of interest. I was wrong and the community is reaching out. What a feeling!

Ines...Thank You :)!!!!! You are way too kind!

Thank you Bryant ...I think it had the human interest appeal. Somehow it touched people.

Scott...Thank you so much..you're so sweet saying that. BTW Jay and I come up your way often. We love the Lincoln/Woodstock area. A beautiful are of New Hampshire.

Debi...Thanks for the kind words. Sometimes we need a little push and Jay is good at that :).

Jennifer...My post found wings...I love how you put that. Thank you so much Jennifer!

Lola...You hit the nail right on the head, how dare they intrude! Thanks for kudos Lola.

Thank you Mitchell...I could think of no other word to describe it but Hate. Up close and personal! It was so ugly.

Linda...Thank you for stopping by, Hate is powerful word that describes it perfectly.

Wayne...I don't think these people felt any shame at all. Just cold mean people. Thank you for commenting Wayne.

Karen...Thank you so much! You have been a tremendous influence on me...I love your "voice" and appreciate your friendship.

Thank you Christy. I appreciate your comment.

Jeff...Semi late is better than never. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!

Ben...It is cool and nerve wracking at the same time. Thank you.

Midori...Thank you. We're getting close to finding out who he is. Today I got a call from someone who thinks they know him. He is checking to see if it is the person he thinks it is. The power of Rain in action. Once I know I'll post his name...if he is okay with me doing so. Thank you so much for your support.

Monika -

Congratulations on being written about in the newspaper. That's pretty special!

Congratulations Monika -- You are our NH star! I am glad you got out of your comfort zone, it is always a challenge to do so.

Cynthia...Thank you so much for the kudos!!

Joan...LOL...NH Star how cute. Thanks Joan, this has been my year of challenges, they make us stronger thats for sure.

Monika - You found your voice a long time ago, so no need to worry about that any more. Your post about Hate was obviously from the heart, and it touched a lot of us. Keep it up. When you write your own truth, you will continue to stand out.

Monika - I missed your other column before, but I did go back and read it. I cannot stop crying! How disrespectful to the family that group was. I just cannot imagine someone being so heartless. I would lose my faith if it weren't for the man with the flag. We need more like him. The rest can leave.

Don...Thanks so much. That post did come from my heart. There are members of the public posting there thanking us the AR community for showing support. I'm touched beyond belief.

Debbie...It breaks your heart seeing that type of thing. Thank you so much for caring. Members of the Patriot Guard are over on my Hate post thanking us. They are the ones deserving the Thanks.

APR

2007

Monika,

Great exposure, great blog, congratz :) keep the good work as always you do, I do not remember if you got the gifs ?

Ray....Thanks so much for commenting. I did get the gifs...did you not get my e-mail? Thanks for sending them.

Monika...

Sorry I'm late. Had a very busy day yesterday. As you know I left my feelings about what happened on your last post.

On this post I would like to remind you that you found your voice a long time ago. All you've done, that I consider new, is step out of your comfort zone.

As it turns out, you're really good at that too :)

By the way, did you start marketing your Blog to your students yet? I'm curious whether or not that idea worked for you.

TLW...ROAR!

Hi Monika - may the world hear what your post (your Hate post) is all about, and may it touch person after person after person, and perhaps one by one, that kind of hate will be stopped. We can only hope.

Congrats on the recognition - you deserve it for that post! Getting out of a comfort zone can be so many things, and this time proved it. Way to go on all fronts, my friend!

Ann

I believe it was Winston Churchill who said that all it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing. You did SOMETHING, and I'm glad to hear of the positive response you got.

Great Job. Those folks from Kansas are horrible people who are hiding behind a false mask they call christianity. Those people are not Christians they are hate filled demons. I live in Tupelo, MS we recently had a soldier come home in a flag draped coffin. Those people did not show up here but I was ready for them. Had they showed up here I was going to greet them with some good ole southern hospitality. :>)

Thank you for standing up against these people. If you all stand strong we can silience them. Weather we agree with the war or not those young men and women are doing our dirty work. They are fighting for us. They are fighting so those people are free to protest their funerals. Freedom is great even for those who abuse it.

Monika: I missed your earlier post, but caught up with it yesterday. Thank you for your courage and for sharing what happened. My heart aches for what the families must have felt.

Ann...Thank you. I think it is touching people, far and wide. I never expected the reaction I've gotten.

Brian...Wow- I don't know what to say but thank you. Many people stood tall that day, all I did was write about it and how it made me feel. Thank you so much.

Jeff...Your comment is so heartfelt. For your sake and your soldiers family I'm glad they didn't show up. Horrible evil people is what they are and there is nothing at all Christian about them. Thank you so much for commenting on my post.

Roberta...Thanks so much for stopping by. I really wasn't courageous, my anger drove me outside that day. Frank, the guy holding the flag and the other Patriot Guard Riders are the courageous ones. I hope someday I can be little like them. Thank you Roberta I appreciate your comments.

TLW...Thanks for your comment and you have helped me find my voice and for that I do thank you.

Yes I copy my blog articles and use them as hand outs. It has really added a very personal touch to my classes and also given my Blogs a lot of exposure. It was a great idea! Thanks :)

APR

2007

Monika, maybe they went through the junk mail, I do not know, but I did not get it, but now that you are telling, that's good, I am glad that you got them :)

Ray...you mean you let me go in your junk mail! :)

APR

2007

Monika,

NO way :) I love your blogs :)

I am your fan :)

MAY

2007

Monika

My husband Msgt.Raymond Trujillo has 20 years in the Marine Corps and right now is deployed on The USS Nimitz, While I make my home in Manchester.We are both ashamed to say our home state is Kansas,I do not know what bible this hate group reads,but my bible tells me that myGod is a good and Loving God.It sickens me to know that because of the sacrifice of men and women in our service this nuts have freedom of speech.My heart goes out to the family of Capt.Jonathan and Thank You and Semper Fi to Frank Downs.

God Bless America and our soldiers

Ida Trujillo

MAY

2007

Ida...Thank you and your husband for serving our country! Please don't be ashamed for being from Kansas...I'm sure there are many many good people in Kansas. Don't let a few bad apples spoil it for you.

God Bless you Ida and all our soldiers. Thank you so much!

Ray...I didn't see your comment... :)