Memory Bears - Easing the Pain - Honeysuckle Footprints

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Losing someone you love is difficult to overcome. Sometimes the pain is so intense that you feel you can’t go on. Death is life altering to the ones that’s left behind, and it’s like you’d give anything just to hear that person say “I love you” or to give them a huge hug again.

My families life has been so different when my grandfather (who adopted me) passed away in November of last year. Not only was I affected mentally, but I’ve struggled spiritually and physically as well. I haven’t had the passion to keep this blog updated, do my bible studies, or enjoy some of the things I once did… My 8 year old still struggles every day (they were close) and my grandmother (his wife) is taking it really hard. I’m working on getting back on track with my spiritual life and following God’s will… but something that helped ease this journey along came to my doorstep this past Saturday evening brought by the mailman.

It was memory bears and pillows made from my grandfather’s shirts he wore.

My son was so excited to get his memory bears that he hasn’t stopped hugging them since he picked them up! The Chicken Coop Boutique made him a dinosaur and a teddy bear. The dino was our favorite!!! It had super cute spikes and toes and even a little pouch from the pocket of his shirts! The teddy was adorable with a collar and a pocket on the side! She even embroidered the feet to say “Forever in my heart”, “Love Papa”, and “Love you, Papa”.

My little sister also received a memory bear! Hers said “Love Papa” on the foot, had a collar, and buttons down the front! She adored hers!

My grandmother’s pillow was actually one of Papa’s jackets that he wore a lot. It has a pocket on the left side and the right side is embroidered with “This is a jacket I used to wear, when you hold it know that I am there. Love, Johnny”. The zipper part of the jacket goes down the front of the pillow. When we gave my grandmother her pillow, you could see the joy in her eyes to have it. It meant so much to her she didn’t have the words to even describe it! She just smiled.

My pillow was made from an old shirt that my papa use to work in. If you read the Eulogy I wrote, you know he was a hard worker. This is how I remember my grandfather – the farmer, the caretaker, and the provider. I wanted to use a shirt that represented this part of his life. On the left there is a pocket and the middle has the buttons of the shirt. The right pocket is embroidered with “This is a shirt I used to wear, when you hold it know that I am there – Love, Papa”.

The quality of these pillows and memory bears was absolutely amazing from The Chicken Coop Boutique. They were much fluffier and larger than I expected and the detail was phenomenal! We purchased 2 pillows and 3 bears and each one of our items were perfect. No flaws whatsoever, and you could see the love that was put in every single stitch. I definitely will be placing more orders in the future!

I am forever grateful to The Chicken Coop Boutique for making these precious keepsakes for our family. It’s extremely difficult to lose someone who is a big part of your life, BUT there are small, simple things – like teddy bears and pillows – that can make the transition a little easier on your heart. The pain will never go away – but when you feel like you’re holding that person, the memories seem to live a little stronger.