A friend of DH and mine from high school lost his battle with cancer last night at the age of 31. He left behind 2 young girls and a wonderful wife. Everyone knew it was coming (I was surprised he made it to Christmas) but it is still a very sad time.
I would like to get something special for the girls to remember him by. I hate flowers b/c they become a nuisance with everything going on. DH and I plan on helping every way we can including babysitting, food, money, etc. They have tons and tons of pictures of them all together. My only idea is something modled that looks like a father holding his daughter where maybe they could put a special picture of just themself and him.
Any other ideas would be appreciated.
Dia
I think that is a great idea. Or if you have lots of photos, maybe do a photo collage for each of his children with pictures of their Dad from childhood to adulthood. I think photos are so special and they keep our memories alive.
I am really so sorry to hear about your friend's death. Losing a loved one is especially difficult during the holidays...My thoughts will be with you and your loved ones.
Cindy
I think the picture idea is wonderful. I would also suggest considering taking the time to sit down and write some memories you have of this dear friend. The children are young, and sadly they will forget the things that made him unique and special. Maybe one of those blank books and just jot down memories over then next month or so, then give it to the family. They can read it as they want and refer to it in the future. I know it's time consuming, but I have done this a few times and I've been thanked many years later for these books. I am very sorry to hear of your loss.
susanmm23 I agree with you.. Here is a site that does photos on a blanket.. http://thatblanket.com/
My deepest sympathy are with you and the family..
Sorry to hear about your friend.
My deepest sympathy go out to his family and yours.
Please remember that we at CC are here for you any time if you need to talk, share your memories, rant, etc.
I am so sorry for your loss. My sympathies are with your family and friends.
Locally in the midwest Isabel Blooms are quite popular. They started in the quad cities (about 1/2 hr from me) When a loss happens in a family I usually find one that is appropriate to the situation. Personally "Hugs" is my favorite and one of their most popular ones, however they do have father's and children ones also.
Take a look here is their website. http://www.ibloom.com/
Leily
All are very good ideas and I thank everyone. The viewing was last night and was probably one of the hardest things to go to. I mean, yeah, viewings/ funerals are never fun but this was so hard. I'll have to discuss with DH what he would like to do. We made a donation to their chuch's children's ministry as a request in lieu of flowers.
Thanks to everyone,
Dia
So sorry to hear about your loss...cancer is never an easy thing to go through..I have lost a couple people to cancer that have touched my life... to go along with the photo blanket/quilt idea..when my sister-in-law's (married to my husdband's brother) sister committed suicide (she was barely 20 years old) she left behind a little boy who was not even 3 years old yet...so my MIL made a blanket with pictures of the sister with her little boy put onto pieces of shirts that she had worn. So you could make a quilt out of some of the articles of clothing that he has worn and put the pictures on them and make a blanket of that.
That way you have the smell of the one you loved and pictures of the memories to go along with it.
Maybe have birthstone bracelets made that have the birthstones of their whole family, including their dad.
I just lost my father very unexpectedly on christmas eve, and my grandmother to cancer 4 days later, and I have been thinking of getting a locket and putting both their pictures in it. Maybe a locket for each child with a picture of him in it? I am also working on a tattoo that I will eventually get memorializing him(obviously not a choice for children) but in that vein if you are painting inclined, what about a simple painting for each child to hang in their room that honours their dad.
I really like the idea of making a quilt out of some of his clothes if you were allowed to. I may see if my mom would let me do that. Depending on your sewing skill you could also buy a couple of really soft teddy bears and make a shirt for each out of a shirt of his. The teddies would be something they could hold onto as well if they will be attending the funeral.
You could also do up pillows with a picture transfer on it of him with each child.
Right now I searching for every video clip, everything he wrote(my grandmother just happened to have his speech from my wedding 6 months ago) and every picture..anything that will help me remember. Anything that will help them remember him when they are older will be meaningful. I took the index cards my father wrote his speech on, and scanned them into my computer. Set them up in order (he had written on the back of one of the cards) and then added a title and his picture. This way too if I ever, god forbid, lose the hard copies, I will have it on my computer in his original writing.
If you have a scanner you could make copies of the pictures onto CD's, since pictures can become worn or lost. (we are going to make back up files of all the digital pictures I have of him).
I so sorry that you have lost your friend. I do really want to commend you on offering to help, and actually following up on it. I have been kinda isolated, I guess all my friends don't know what to say so they have stopped phoning and coming by. As much as some space is needed, companionship is needed even more. (my chores have suffered so badly, offering to tidy up or cook a meal would most likely be very appreciated!).
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