The Christmas after Johnny Thiem died, I found a Snowbabies ornament of a little angel playing a drum and gave it to his parents in his memory. He played drums in our high school band with my sons.
December twenty-fifth will be two months to the day since Dad died. Marilyn Heavilin dropped by to give me a Christmas ornament in Dad’s honor. It comes from Precious Moments. It is in the shape of a locket, and when it is opened up, there is a picture of Dad on the left and the words, “You have a special place in my heart,” on the right-hand side.
The Memorial Tear ® also makes an ornament in pewter and sterling silver with the same message, “This is a teardrop, to be worn in memory of someone loved.” There is a rose inside as a symbol of the love that never dies. It may be purchased through: http://www.memorialtear.net.
Give angel ornaments in memory of people who have died. Knowing that I have special memory ornaments representing family members who have died, Uncle Jim sent me three of Aunt Katie’s angels for our tree with a note that read, “Enclosed are three of Katie’s angels for your three angels to hang – remembering her. I am delighted to send them to you, and I know they will be honored well in your home.”
Each year I hang my daughter’s stocking with the rest of ours. On the stocking is a poem, inviting anyone to share memories and put them into the stocking. There is always paper and a pen handy. My sister always remembers to write a note. Two of my nieces mailed us notes for the stocking. ~ Julie Christiensen
I decorated a little artificial Christmas tree, about two feet tall. The ornaments and beads are permanently attached to the tree so the wind wouldn’t blow them off. I placed it in a gold basket and put fake presents under the tree. I take that Christmas tree out to our daughter’s grave each year. ~ Julie Christiensen
Purchase something for an underprivileged child who is the same age your friend’s child would have been and let the family know what you’ve done. ~ Julie Christiensen
© Used with permission.
