Experiences are often better when shared, and that’s true for WOW! Moments—good and bad. I saw firsthand the importance of having people around you when David underwent cancer treatment. He’d text family members and friends on chemo days, asking for prayers and good vibes. He’d send updates on how he was doing (always positive) and often included a smiling selfie.

In one text he sent our niece, he said, “Marley, you are awesome. I am documenting my road to recovery. I am going to be a local speaker. My message will be on how to beat a major setback in your life and keep moving forward with help from your circle of support. This is the #1 reason I have not given up…”

One day, David showed me a bracelet he had made. On it were beads with the first initials of the people he considered part of his inner support team. David wore it every day. He told me when he was feeling sad or depressed, he just looked at the bracelet and remembered that he had a lot of people rooting for him. It made him feel better. I asked where he had seen the idea, and he said he had thought of it himself. 

The bracelet often prompted questions from people at the hospital. David loved explaining what it was. He went through each bead, naming who the letter stood for, and sharing a little about that person. You could tell that he was very proud of his group. My sister gave him a boxing glove charm to add to the bracelet.

Witnessing the power that support had on David prompted me to start looking at my circle. I got the courage to share my journey of putting more WOW! Moments in my life due to the encouragement of family and friends. I’ve been honored that the stories are inspiring people to create WOW! Moments of their own.

A support system can also help you become braver. Some of my favorite WOW! Moments have happened because of the advocacy of friends. For example, my friend Jennifer helped me to write the sign I took to the Cheap Trick concert. And my friend Leslie encouraged me to keep waving it until I caught their attention. She was the one who filmed the encounter.

A circle of support is also invaluable when your WOWs aren’t good. I found a local widow’s group shortly after David died. I’m the first of my local friends to lose a husband. Unless you’ve experienced losing a spouse, it’s hard to understand and relate to the grief. Having people who know your challenges and have walked in your shoes is incredibly helpful. I’m also growing my circle of support and making some amazing new friends.

If you want to add more WOWs to your life or deal with some that are not positive, find and create your circle. Then do as David did and make a tangible reminder that helps you know you’re not on this journey alone.