I’m back! Did you miss me? Nigel is still on the struggle bus when it comes to standing so it may be a week or longer before I do a fashion shoot. I hope you’ll bear with me. In the meantime, I thought I’d do a little mental meandering.
Memories…
For some strange reason, Labor Day always brings back memories of my parents. I think it’s because they were big Labor people as in supporting unions in the United States rather than the political party in the UK! So, Labor Day was an important day to them. My dad was actually the president of his local IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) local. I remember our family going with him when he’d have to visit a local that was somewhat close to us. It was only a short drive because we didn’t ever stay the night or anything like that.
Keepsakes…
My dad has been gone for fifty years this year, and my mom passed thirty years ago this year. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long already. I think everyone experiences loss differently, but there is almost always this natural and deeply personal response to loss. One of the ways most people may cope with that is to find something tangible by which they can remember that person. Keepsakes can be a powerful tool to help you in the healing process. They can provide comfort and a sense of connection.
Emotionally comforting…
Keepsakes serve as emotional anchors, and you should grab onto them. They offer a tangible link to your loved one who has passed on. This keepsake could be a piece of clothing, handwritten note or even a beloved book. The point is that these items will evoke powerful emotional responses in you. They may comfort you in difficult times. Sometimes you can hold or look at them to provide solace and remind you that your loved one is still with you in some way.
Jewelry to preserve memories…
One particularly intimate form of keepsake you might want to try is jewelry for fingerprints. This type of jewelry will capture the fingerprint of a loved one creating a deeply personal and meaningful memento that you can have for your comfort. I had three students from the same family who had necklaces with the fingerprints of their grandparents. I thought it was such a beautiful way to remember their beloved grandparents. A friend had her dog’s ashes made into a necklace. Another friend has a tattoo of her dog’s pawprint with birth and death dates surrounding it. Now, some may think that drastic. I happen to think that it’s a beautiful way for her to remember her dog. You can use many different ways to remember a person’s identity, including tattoos and jewelry. Both are comforting to keep close to you. When you wear them, you will have a daily reminder of the bond you shared and it will help to ease the pain of your loss over time.
Keepsakes as part of the grieving process…
Incorporating keepsakes into your grieving process is a powerful way to manage your emotions in a big way. They will provide a focus for your grief and there’s something to hold on to when you’re feeling very overwhelmed. When you have these items with you over time they can help you to move forward and will serve as a great reminder to you. With a keepsake, your love and memories will always remain with you as you begin to heal and accept your loss but remember the good times that you had with your loved one.
Keepsakes for preserving legacy…
I’m still processing my trip to Ireland and Scotland. It’s hard to believe it’s been less than 24 hours since I left Edinburgh so I’m thinking about keepsakes and such. I love visiting old cemeteries, and the cemeteries there are sooo much older than here in the States. This one was located in what seemed like the middle of Edinburgh, but that city is so large it could have been on the outskirts.
There are all kinds of keepsakes, right? I have the ashes of my last two westies in my armoire. When they passed, I didn’t feel whole until their ashes were, once again, in the house. I have other keepsakes that keep my memories intact as well as being reminders of the people who owned them.
Keepsakes are critical because they are so much more than just providing comfort. They play a crucial role in preserving the legacy of your loved one. At this point, none of my keepsakes have been passed down through generations. One is my beloved copper road runner my dad gave me when I was in my very early teens. I have no idea why or where he bought it. I just know he bought it for me. I’m not even sure my kids know about it or its significance to me. I honestly need to inventory my treasures and see who wants what, if they even do!
These kinds of cherished items can be passed down through generations and kept as a personal memento. They will help to keep the stories and memories of those who passed on alive. Unfortunately, my dad passed before any of his grandchildren were born. But, my siblings and I can always share stories of him when we look at the keepsakes Mom had for him.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I’m hoping the gifts I’ve given my children and grandchildren will become keepsakes for them so that when I’m gone (a long, long, long time from now), they will have something to remember me by. While the journey of grief is something that everyone has to walk in their own way, keepsakes can be your steady companion to help you navigate your way through your loss as well as keeping your loved ones very close to you. You’ll find comfort and strength in a connection that endures beyond physical separation. So, can we talk? Do you have keepsakes of any kind? Are they a part of your daily life? Or, are they somewhere special, and you take them out to remember? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
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I’m so looking forward to read all about your trip. We are still having vacation!
Thanks, Nancy! I waved in your general direction! There will be lots of posts to come, I promise!
Welcome back! I can’t wait to hear more about your trip. I have a few keepsakes from family members: a couple of would from my great grandmother, a few of my grandmother’s paintings, some jewelry from my memere.
Thanks, Joanne! Oh, there will be lots and lots about my trip! You are so lucky to have these mementos. I only have a couple, but I hope some of my things will be as treasured as yours are.
I’m looking forward to hearing more about your trip! I have some of my grandmother’s jewellery but I don’t wear it as it’s quite fragile now.
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
I will probably have several posts as there is so much! I was to have gotten my grandma’s opal earrings (we shared an October birthday), but I didn’t get them. I have only a couple of pieces that are from family. I am hopeful my kids and grands want some of my jewelry when I’m gone.
Thanks, Emma!
I am looking forward to reading more about your trip! I love the idea of jewelry or a tattoo to remember someone by.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
There will be many posts, I’m sure! I have so much to share…it will be difficult to narrow it down. The fingerprint necklaces my students received from the funeral home were truly lovely.
Thanks, Mireille
I like some of those ideas of keepsakes …I think too many times we have lots of “things” but they aren’t always as meaningful!
Xoox
Jodie
Oh, that’s a wonderful way to put it. I am sure my “things” wouldn’t be keepsakes to my kids. I know I should see what they think about my stuff and figure out who gets what at some point!
Thanks, Jodie!
We were in that very cemetery on Christmas Day. We had a reservation for drinks at Juniper Bar in the Indigo Hotel which isn’t that far away and we enjoyed the crisp morning with just a little drizzle taking in some outdoor sights. People scared us that nothing would be open on Christmas Day but we had plenty to do.
I love the history of cemeteries, too. It’s hard to believe just how old they are in the UK!
Thanks, Amy! I just love old cemeteries and sometimes worry I’m being a bit sacrilegious. I bet it was lovely when you were there. We had one day that was sunny the entire day…the last day, of course. But, we both (my friend and I) had really good raincoats and layers so we had fun anyway!
I am big into keepsakes! I love surrounding myself with things that remind me of special memories of people and moments. Love all these gorgeous pics you took and so glad you enjoyed your trip!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! I love my keepsakes, too. I know they don’t have meaning for my people, but they do for me! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the photos!
I have keepsakes of people who have passed away in my life and I find them comforting. I think whatever keepsake brings you comfort is the right keepsake to have!
I agree 100%. My dogs’ tins do just that for me. Mike says he just wants to be mixed in with them…I told him I’d need a bigger tin!
Thanks, Laura!
Welcome back, Marsha! Keepsakes are interesting…the same items that in the freshness of grief can bring up so many turbulent emotions can, with the passage of time, inspire a happy feeling of comfort and connection.
Thanks, Sally! Oh, I love the way you put it…so beautifully! And, you are right. I didn’t feel that way about the jewelry I inherited, but I definitely felt that way about the tins with my “boys” in them.
Hi, Marsha – Welcome back and wishing your dear husband a speedy recovery! The photos you chose here go perfectly with your subject of mementos and keepsakes from loved ones. My favorite keepsake from my Dad is a painting he made just for me (he was an artist every day of his life even though he had to work to raise his family.) And from my Mom, it’s the anniversary ring my Dad gave her that she bequeathed to me on her deathbed. He had a heart attack watching her die of cancer and then two weeks later, she passed over. I’m grateful to have my husband, children, siblings and friends in my life. Neighbors can be like family, too. Thanks for the food for thought – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Oh, Angie! I am so glad you have your mother’s anniversary ring…what a gift to receive, especially at that time. Did your dad pass at that same from the heart attack? I’m so very sorry…it doesn’t matter how long ago, you always miss your parents. Your painting sounds like the most amazing keepsake, created for you with much love, I’m sure. I have several keepsakes, but I haven’t ever explained the significance of them to my kids or grands. I should maybe jot something down for each thing so they know.
BTW…I got a notification you’d subscribed to my blog. I think that might have been on a different page. If you could sign up on the mailchimp form at the end of the post, that will definitely ensure you get my posts.
Thanks, Angie, for your words of encouragement for my husband and the welcome back!
Hard time for you Marsha, sending out best wishes and hugs, I agree with keepsakes too. I have a couple of my mother-in-laws things. A furry throw that was on her bed, it’s now in my front room and I say it’s a nanny Joyce cuddle. Love to you hunny. Jacqui x
Thank you, Jacqui! I really appreciate the good wishes. How wonderful you have your throw. I’m hoping my kids all want things like that and not just the jewelry! I do have a couple of things that were from my Grandma Luderman (my mom’s mom). Every time I dust them, I think of her. I love that you have a nanny Joyce cuddle!
I have a blanket from my grandmother, which I have written about and also a quilt she made. I have a lot of writings of my other grandmother, all of them handwritten. She also wrote me letters and I have saved them in my bedroom closet. I miss them both terribly.
I actually have a recipe card my mom had written a note on to my brother. I keep it because it’s her handwriting. I think it’s important we have these tangible things to connect us to our loved ones. Thank you for sharing this, Lisa.
Beautiful post about keepsakes, Marsha. I have lots of keepsakes. I think as soon as you attach sentimental meaning to an object, it becomes an important keepsake infused with a beautiful memory. And we need these little memory keepers as time has a way of making the past fade. Keepsakes keep memories of the past vibrantly in the present! I am really looking forward to reading all about your trip. Sending lots of healing energy to Nigel!
Shelbee
Thank you, my friend! I appreciate the healing energy. I have so many keepsakes, and they do exactly as you say…keeping the past from fading away too fast. There will be more posts about my trip, I promise!
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I love this sentimental side of you. You made me feel much better about keeping some of the crazy things I have kept over the years as mementos or keepsakes, including the ashes of 4 beloved pets. Would love to see the things you picked for keepsakes/souvenirs for your family. It is so hard to bring things home that have meaning but can fit in a tiny corner of the suitcase. I brought home my dad’s typewriter from my sister’s house last fall and it was broken in 2 by the time it made it to El Paso but I can set the pieces one on top of the other and no one would know it was broken. I wasn’t planning to type on his old manual typewriter anyway.
Oh, Leslie! I am the most sentimental fool of all! When we moved from up north nine years ago, I donated the dress I wore to my daughter’s wedding, but I still have the dress my mom wore to mine! I also still have my eighth grade graduation dress! You wouldn’t believe the things I have. My kids will be wondering what in the world is this and why did Mom keep it! But, yes, my boys are here with me and will be until we are all gone and mixed together. I don’t really know what will happen after that…I guess we need to let the kids know. I’m so sorry your dad’s typewriter was broken. That had to be devastating even though you had no plans to use it. They are still so important to us, right?
Thanks, my friend!