Saturday Morning Message: Loved Ones' Items We Keep Close
Author: Carol Lane
Good Morning,
The opening picture came from Elsie, mother of Daniel. It shows the special remembrance quilts she made which you will read about in this week's response section.
We received a large response to this week's question, regarding our loved ones' items that we keep nearby. So many, in fact, that we are sharing some in this week's edition of the Saturday Morning Message, but will also be sharing responses in the February Writers' Circle which will be published on February 2, 2021.
The Writers' Circle is a place where survivors who find healing through writing, submit poems, songs and essays that they write including pictures. Supporting photos are always welcome. If you would like to join our Writer's Circle and begin receiving this monthly digital TAPS publication, please email online@taps.org.
Thank you for being a part of our Saturday Morning Message community!
Hugs,
Carol Lane
Mother of Bryon
Responses from Survivors to last week's question
For some, wearing their loved ones' precious items brings comfort. What items do you keep close to you?
From Elsie, mother of Daniel: My daughter, granddaughter, and I each wear ‘Thumbies’. We seldom take them off. These are pendants with Daniel’s thumb print taken by the mortuary. When I’m having a hard time, I touch my Thumbie.
For Christmas 2020, I made four queen size quilts out of Daniel’s T-shirts from his various deployments and adventures. I also had photos of Daniel and photos of him and the quilt recipients printed on his white T-shirts.
From Meredith, mother of Austin: My son, Austin, loved bandannas. He wore one every chance he had. I wear a bandanna for special occasions or on days I’m missing him and need to feel him with me. I also hang one in every car we own. We put them out at his funeral and, now, so many family members and friends now have them in their vehicles, too.
From Charlene, mother of Devin: I have an old hoodie that Devin had on in a picture when he was in Korea. It is old with the pockets torn, holes in it, and stretched out of shape. On the warmer days where I only need a light jacket, I love to wear it. It doesn’t quite fit but I’m just as proud to wear his tattered jacket as I am proud of my son and his service.
From Cheryl, mother of Daniel: When I need more confidence, courage, and assertiveness, I wear my son’s dog tags. I know it took courage for him to enlist and serve. So on tough days, I wear them out of sight and next to my heart so only I know. I feel close to him, and I feel his support.
From Katherine, mother of John: I have two items that I wear almost everyday. The first is a nightshirt that I received when our son, John, was in training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, in 1993. It has been all over the world (Moldova, Cuba, Spain, Israel, Korea, Fiji, India, Jordan, and Greece) while he was on short term mission trips
The second is a replica dog tag received at a Gold Star Mother's celebration in Santa Clarita, California. John’s original dog tag is with his stepson, Ryan, in Colorado. It is worn with my father's WWII dog tag from Guadalcanal I. Both were United States Army combat medics.
From Barbara, mother of Brian: My son, Brian, was 6'10" so not many people fit into his clothes, including me; but he had two short sleeve beach shirts that I use as beach cover-ups. I also wear a necklace with a replica of his State Police badge or a name necklace that my daughter gave him. Every day I wear a bracelet that was made honoring his service in the United States Marine Corps and the New Jersey State Police. This keeps Brian close to me at all times.
We Welcome Your Comments
If you would like to send a note commenting on one or all of the responses in this week’s Saturday Morning Message, send it to online@taps.org and your thoughts will be passed along to each contributor. You never know how your words may touch the heart of another.
Question for Next Week’s Saturday Morning Message
Did your loved one have a favorite food? How did he/she react when you would serve it?
Readers sometimes send me lists of questions to use in the Saturday Morning Message. This week’s question came from two different individuals. I am looking forward to reading your responses.
In order to have your reply considered for the January 23, 2021 edition of the Saturday Morning Message, please send your response by Tuesday morning, January 19, 2021 to online@taps.org.
We Welcome Your Questions
The Saturday Morning Message was created so survivors can share questions and read how others respond. Questions for future messages are always welcome and can be sent to online@taps.org.
Song for the Week
Perry, father of Christopher, sent this week’s song which is: “Time in a Bottle” sung by Jim Croce. Perry wrote, “When I heard this song after so many years it really spoke to my heart. As a father, you want to recapture those moments you once had. You wish you could save them and make them last forever. In a way our hearts have become that bottle and we do keep them forever remembering the moments that meant so much to us. It is the memories that our loved ones leave us with that make the dash all that much more important.”
Send Your Favorite Song or Recipe
If you have a favorite recipe or song for this section, please send those to me to online@taps.org and include a note about why the recipe or song is meaningful to you. We publish a special song or recipe in each Saturday Morning Message.
Related Stories
Article: The Fabric of Grief
Has your wardrobe changed since the loss of your loved one? I can tell you that mine has definitely changed.
Videos: Objects & Heirlooms: Clearing Clutter and Staying Connected
Video recording that discusses clearing clutter while lingering over cherished memories to boost happiness.
Other Items and Events of Interest
Join us on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 to 30, for our 27th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar! We will be live streaming all of our general sessions with guest speakers.
Important Note: In-person registration is still open, but we are in a waitlist situation due to COVID occupancy restrictions in the State of Virginia.
If you have any questions, email seminarregistrations@taps.org or call our Helpline at 202.588.TAPS (8277).
▶▶ Connect With Your TAPS Family
You can discover all the opportunities to connect with your TAPS Family on our website at the TAPS Event Calendar.
About the Saturday Morning Message
The Saturday Morning Message (SMM) is a weekly communication contributed by survivors. The primary focus of the SMM is to foster peer-based connections for support and encouragement. It is the goal of this communication to foster a safe, supportive place where we can openly share in a nonjudgmental and caring manner. Read and contribute as you are comfortable. Content submitted for the SMM is edited for space considerations and may be used in other TAPS publications. The loving family at TAPS is available to you 24 hours a day. Please call 202-588-TAPS (8277).