"Pillows of Remembrance®"
During one's time of grief due to the death of a loved one, it is very difficult facing all of the decisions and responsibilities one has to address. Your qualified professional funeral director, his staff, and members of the clergy you have chosen will be assisting you through each step of the way. Afterward, there are some personal choices that you will have to consider. Let me share with you an experience which helped my family and me during our time of grief.
My brother-in-law passed away after a long battle with Leukemia. He was a wonderful man and a professional person up to his retirement. Shortly after his funeral, we began the task of going through his personal belongings with his family members, a very heartening experience. Most of his clothing was given to various charities, friends, and family as is done in many cases. Then we got to his numerous neckties of various designs, colors, and patterns. One big question; what do you do with neckties that are 15 years old (or more), out of style, and nobody wants? Throw them away? They were beautiful expensive ties and we remembered him wearing them daily. It was next to impossible to give them away, and being outdated no one in the family wanted them. What does one do with all of these beautiful and colorful ties?
An idea came to us when reflecting upon pioneer women of the covered wagon days. They saved their scraps of cloth from which they made patchwork coats and quilts called Crazy Quilts. Why not cut the neckties into strips of various sizes and shapes and then make them into a colorful decorative "Pillows of Remembrance®." Sounding like a wonderful idea for a tribute and a keepsake remembrance of a departed loved one, the neckties were a perfect source of material because of their quality, colorfulness, and artistic designs.
Using the Crazy Quilt principals, we made what we call "Pillows of Remembrance®." Achieving this was no easy task. After many hours of trial and error, we came up with a Crazy Quilt type pillow. We completed them for my brother-in-law's wife and family members. They were filled with much gratitude and shed tears of joy at receiving handcrafted pillows made from their loved one's neckties.
Prompted by the reaction of our family members and friends, we are pleased to offer "Pillows of Remembrance®" to you and your family and friends. Our pillows can also be made for you from skirts, shirts, blouses, scarves, handkerchiefs, or any colorful fabric of the departed's attire. What a beautiful way to pay tribute to and remember loved ones by having a handcrafted pillow from personal items previously adorned by them and displayed on a bed, sofa, chair, or in a framed wall hanging. Let us serve you in creating this loving keepsake.
Respectfully,
Cheryl R. Michael, Owner
Daisy Mae Embroidery®
