Project Joy for Jay

It’s been just over three weeks since Johannah Deakin’s death, and in the days following the news that she had passed, this fandom did some wonderful things in support of her family. 

I’m hopeful we will be able to do more in the future to spread her legacy. I’m still working on getting Joy for Jay Day off the ground.

Unfortunately, in the days since Jay’s death, this fandom has also done some pretty horrible things. That type of behavior couldn’t be more opposite of what Jay was, because one of the remarkable things about Jay was that she was a beacon of positivity no matter what. 

Jay always praised 1D fans for being incredible and supportive and a blessing to her and her family. She either ignored fans who weren’t that way, or she responded with love. 

She’s not here to do that anymore, but we are. So I ask that we do something for Jay, here on Tumblr, starting now: Let’s choose to be kind. 

Instead of taking it upon yourself to be a type of police for this fandom, instead of choosing to report personal information about people you don’t like to Louis’s son’s step-grandfather, instead of investigating the whereabouts of Louis’s son’s mother and accusing her of failing to be present or appropriate while her son’s grandmother died, instead of criticizing the way people in Louis’s circle have acted in the past few weeks, be kind to people you do know instead. Here’s a brief (but certainly not complete) list of ideas of what we can do:

Instead of sending a hateful anon to a blog you don’t like, send a “thank you” anon to one you do. Let them know you appreciate what they share. 

It’s none of our business to fight Louis’s battles for him. It can be our business to shower him and his siblings with love whenever they post on social media. Tell them you’re thinking of them, or you love their outfit, or you hope they have a wonderful day. Say something kind. 

Make lists of bloggers you love that you think others should follow instead of lists of bloggers you hate that people should avoid.

Try not to call people you dislike on Tumblr “insane, psychotic or someone who’s having a mental breakdown.” Nobody should say those words if they are not that person’s psychologist. If you are calling someone something like that and are their psychologist, I ask that you keep patient privacy laws in mind :D 

Instead of making masterposts about horrible things some other blogger did, make your own masterpost about something you love about Louis or Briana or Freddie or whomever you like. 

The bottom line here? Focus on the positive, ignore the negative. That’s what Jay did. And wouldn’t it make you happier to say something nice to someone whom you like and who matters to you than it would to say something mean to someone you don’t even know?

Hi all and happy holidays! 

I just wanted to give a quick update on this project. I am in the middle of starting a new full-time job and am really busy right now with training and the adjustment to a new job. It’s not allowing me nearly as much time as I’d like to devote to this project, but I’m determined to see Joy for Jay Day through. With that in mind, I’m looking for some help at the moment in managing the project. Ideally, I’d like to get some help from anyone who has experience running a long-term project within fandom. 

Right now, the primary responsibilities on a mostly Monday-Friday basis would include (but are not limited to): 

helping me brainstorm ways to keep people interested in this project from now through Joy for Jay Day on March 25

assistance in setting up a more complete tumblr page, including a page for charities which would be good to donate to and a page full of charitable actions people can participate in on Joy for Jay Day. 

someone who can formulate daily Tumblr updates to keep spreading the word about the project

aid in figuring out how to organize certain charitable drives (including blood and bone marrow drives) for March 25

Anyone who is interested should message me ASAP via the project’s email ([email protected]). Let me know what your skills are and what past projects you’ve worked on. 

If you don’t think you’re the right person to help out, please reblog this post. That might help me find someone who is a good fit. 

It’s hard to find the words to say today. I’d want to wish you all the joy and happiness in the world on your birthday, but it’s impossible to forget the loss you are going through, especially around this time of year. Twenty-five years ago today, an incredible woman brought you into this world. She single-handedly gave you the foundation to become the incredible person you are today. She taught you how to have fun, how to have compassion for others, how to celebrate who you are and how to love. She encouraged you to pursue your dreams, and you took it from there.

At 25, you’re a star. Literally. People around the world look up to you, partly because you are in a world-famous band, but partly as well because of the way you’ve used that celebrity status. You’ve done everything you can to give back to people, especially ill children. You find a way to bring a smile to everyone’s face, no matter how difficult the situation. You can act like a crazy kid around your friends and a wonderful father to your young son. You are a spot of brightness when the world gets dark. 

It might sound corny, but you truly light up this world like nobody else, and we are so lucky to have you. 

Your birthday likely will not be the same without your mom. As a fan, it’s hard to think solely happy thoughts today when you are still going through this unimaginable situation. But your mom was so obviously proud of you each and every day that she was here with you, and wherever she is now, she surely is still incredibly proud of the person you are today, the now-25-year-old who has found a way to make people smile even in the wake of his cherished mother’s death. 

It feels wrong to simply wish you a happy birthday and not acknowledge what you’re going through on this specific birthday, but regardless, I hope you have the best birthday you can, and I hope 25 has nothing but good times for you. You deserve it. 

To all of our Boston followers, please consider donating ASAP to help cancer patients in desperate need of blood products. 

This is the best holiday present you could give. Tell them Jay Deakin sent you. 

It’s been one week since we found out that Jay passed away. It’s been nearly 10 days since the world lost Jay, since seven children lost their mother, parents lost their daughter, a man lost his wife and an infant boy lost his grandmother. It’s been months since this family found out she was sick, months of watching her battle a horrific disease, months of trying to care for her while she was in the hospital all the while trying to keep life as normal as possible for her youngest children. This family has gone through unimaginable pain this past year. They did not receive the miracle they so deserved.

But hopefully there is some light in the darkness. In the week since this fandom found out about Jay’s death, we have come together to raise thousands of dollars for charities she supported and charities supporting research and aid for the disease which killed her. We have banded together behind a beautiful song written and performed by her son Louis during the most horrific time in his life. Some of us have crossed fandom boundaries and ventured into other corners of this fandom, corners which have been warring for the past four years, in attempts to help support Louis and his family. 

Let’s keep at this -- in memory of Jay and in support of the entire Tomlinson-Deakin-Poulston family. Let’s show her family and each other the kindness that every human being deserves, and let’s continue to give back in ways that would be meaningful to her. 

Let’s bring joy to this world in memory of Jay. She deserves it. 

Keep streaming and buying Just Hold On. Make sure this song charts as high as possible for as long as possible. 

stream on spotify or youtube or tidal

Make sure you’re streaming Just Hold On all day, and if you haven’t bought it yet, please consider doing so ASAP. I believe Louis is expected to chart at No. 3 right now. He’ll need a ton of help to get bumped up to No. 1. There is very little we can do as fans to lift his spirits at the moment. Getting this song to No. 1 is one way we actually CAN help. I know this fandom is capable of making this happen for him. Let’s do it! 

When you send in your tribute (either to [email protected] or via a message here on Tumblr), please let me know whether you want the tribute posted anonymously or whether you’re okay with having your first name/blog name published.