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5 days ago I lost a dear friend to domestice violence after a 26 hour standoff that ended in a very brutal death for a young mother of 2. She was one of those people that you just had to love as soon as you met them. I wanted to do something for her children that they could keep & was thinking of a picture frame for each of them (a daughter,14 & a son, 6). I have limited supplies so the simpler the better. I would appreciate all the help I can get. Thanks in advance for all suggestions!! I know that SCS is a very tight-knit community. Please keep my friend, Kathy, and her family in your prayers.
I would buy and inexpensive frame with a mat in it and I would decorate the mat. I'm thinking like flourishes and swirls and maybe a couple of butterfly punchies...I would stick with very monochromatic scheme...like white frame, white mat, but black images...
I love the journal idea and maybe even put a few pictures of their mom in the journal.
I read the story involving your friend, please accept my condolences.
I will keep you all in my prayers.
I am so very sorry about the loss of your friend. I love the journal idea - maybe an altered composition book? Whatever you do will be appreciated - and, hopefully, will help your grief as well. I will say a prayer for you and your friend..
I am so very sorry to hear about your friend. I too love the journal idea, a few things written by you and a few photo's. This could be something very helpful for them while they work through their grief. I will keep you and your friends children/family in my prayers.
__________________ There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but few will catch your heart. Pursue those.....
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If you use the journal idea I would hunt for stickers. When I journaled after my divorce I had a variety of stickers with inspirational sayings, some fairies, some were religioius, some were funny. I also stamped in it. One stamp said "Expect a Miracle". I still love looking at that journal and it's just so fun to journal and decorate and also decorte. I had bought "The Blue Day Journal". It has awesome pictures of animals doing quirky things. The Author writes on each page. I'm looking at one with a kangaroo bent over funny and the author writes, "If you try to carry all the worries of the world on your shouders, soon or later you'll geta bad back." One is a zebra that looks likes it's laughing and it says...surround yourself with positive people". I don't know if this book would work for the 14 year-old but I loved it and I love the photos, the humour, the words of wisdom, etc. It helped me through a tough time. It's written by Bradley Treavor Greive. But Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby has nice, spiral bound journals that are inexprensive. Hobby Lobby had cool, "teenish" looking ones for $1.99. Prayers to you and your friend's children and family.
Last edited by Allistamps123; 06-21-2009 at 02:55 AM..
Later, it might be nice to make a scrapbook for each child. They periodically go on sale. Make pages where all they have to do is add standard sized photos. I'm guessing that they are living with a relative who would have photos to share with them. You could make general pages like:
Christmas
Mom and Me
My Birthday
.......
general things that they are likely to be able to find photos for.
I also vote for the journal as a gift. Some things are easier to write down than to vocalize. The is nothing you can say that might not come out sounding trite or just 'words' to another person who has suffered this kind of loss. Since the children are so far apart in age, the journal could help them deal with the loss on their individual maturity levels.
It is so sad that the domestic relationship had to end in this manner. It leaves lots of 'victims' behind.
Another vote for a journal of sorts. I would think that this would also be something that the kids would treasure yearss from now, when they are able to get past the shocka nd pain of what happened.
My thoughts and prayers also go out to your friend's children and to you for your loss.
My brother's children were still young (14 and 12) when he died. I made them "Dad" boxes...something that could hold bits of memorabilia. They weren't anything fancy, just painted with a stamped saying on it.
I'm so sorry about your friend. How awful for the kids to have such a violent thing happen to their mom...
The journal and the memory box are wonderful ideas and each child can make it personal. When my son had a bone marrow transplant, he said it was being able to journal his thoughts that helped him get through the isolation time and recovery.
I think the composition book is a good idea. You could get one cut in half at Staples or Office Max and alter each half. I did one for a friend and every 20 or so pages I covered the page with designer paper or cardstock, stamped on some, added some pockets for mementos and pictures, added some simple embelishments and included a couple of bookmarks. I wish I had taken a picture of it. So sorry for her children, if there is anything you need to help complete whatever you do please ask, I would be happy to send you items to help you complete this.
Praying for you and Your friends children and family. I too like the idea of the journal. I had one after I lost my son and it is good to remember the good times and to know that you can get past the terrible times.
I am sorry to hear about your friend, and an idea that is not stamp related but, my mom has made teddy bears or pillows out of shirts that belonged to people that have died to give to spouses or children that were left behind. I don't know if you sew or know somebody that could make them, but it may be something to go with a journal to help keep their memories alive.
I might add that a "mini-book" might be a sweet hand-held remembrance for her children, if you can gain access to a few photos that include their mother. I'm just thinking that sometimes we like to "see" an image of that person that we yearn to see & touch again. I'm an adult, but I love to hold photos of those who are no longer with me, and I'm sure that would apply to her children as well.
Whatever you choose to do, they will treasure your efforts. ;)
I am so sorry these children have to go through life without their mother there. Such a sad tragedy. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. I will remember you all in my prayers. I too like the journal idea.
I am sorry to hear about your friend, and an idea that is not stamp related but, my mom has made teddy bears or pillows out of shirts that belonged to people that have died to give to spouses or children that were left behind. I don't know if you sew or know somebody that could make them, but it may be something to go with a journal to help keep their memories alive.
This is a wonderful idea.
I like the journal and/or the memory box idea. Such a tragedy for these children to endure.
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. I have lots of supplies and embellishments, and would be happy to share my stash with you if you would like. PM me and let me know.
My aunt had teddy bears made from my uncle's shirts and gave them to his grandchildren along with pictures of him wearing the shirts. They love them and are a special treasure for them.
God bless.
__________________ The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. Psalms 9:9-10
Wow!! I just want to thank everyone for all of the great ideas!! Any one of which would truly be special for Kathy's children to have. I really do appreciate all of your thoughts & prayers. These are very difficult times for everyone who knew & loved Kathy. She was a special person & I know that God has a special place for her in His Heaven. God Bless!!
I need ideas after the death of a friend
