Wednesday, January 9, 2013

I Carry You With Me



As I've mentioned before, one of the MANY thoughtful acts people did for me following Jack's accident was send special jewelry to wear every day in honor of him. Gorgeous jewelry that in one way or another represents him. One friend had a silversmith make me a charm shaped like a mobius strip with his Bible verse on it. Perfect for a young puzzler like Jack. Another found a necklace with a bird on it. Beautiful sea glass earrings adorn my ears and remind me that water gives as well as takes away. I treasure each thoughtful gift.

One of my faves was made by a woman in Minnesota named Amanda, with the help of her husband and her friend Amber. She used a photo of Jack she downloaded from this blog, and on the back is Jack's favorite Bible verse in his 4th grade handwriting.






You may remember I wore this necklace in our Christmas photo so Jack would be included.

Even though Amanda and her husband are busy parents with hectic jobs, they would like to provide memorial necklaces like this to hurting moms and dads. They would charge only for the cost of making and mailing them to you, which would be around $18 each.

And even though each and every child would look lovely on such a necklace, this is a special gesture for bereaved parents only.

Is this something that would bless you?

If so, here's Amanda's contact info: meahbyamanda@hotmail.com

Subject line: Memorial Necklace

Thank you Amanda, and thanks to all of you who have found so many special ways to reach out to hurting families.

43 comments:

  1. AmyJanuary 9, 2013 at 1:30 PM

    What a beautiful act of kindness that is, for them to provide such a thing at cost. Love the reminder of how many good people there are in the world.

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  2. Sybil@PeaceitallTogetherJanuary 9, 2013 at 1:38 PM

    There is so much good in the world. This is definitely an example of that.

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  3. AnneJanuary 9, 2013 at 2:16 PM

    What a beautiful treasure!
    xx
    Anne

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  4. JillJanuary 9, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    I. Love. People.

    Such a beautiful necklace. And to find Jack's own handwriting?

    Seriously, I teared up.

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  5. CindyJanuary 9, 2013 at 3:39 PM

    Thank you, Amanda! Jack's necklace is beautiful - I love that you used my favorite picture of Jack and that I get to see this remembrance on Anna so often. You are so kind to extend this wonderful act of service to others.

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  6. ChristyJanuary 9, 2013 at 4:25 PM

    I love people too. You and JIll especially. I would like to buy one of these necklaces for anyone who would like one, but can't afford it. Will email her now.

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  7. JulesJanuary 9, 2013 at 4:33 PM

    Such a treasure. They did such a beautiful job. Would you believe that my husband & I went to a wake this week for a 2nd grader. It was so hard. It reminds us all how quickly things can change. I will be in touch with this amazing couple because this would be such a wonderful thing for them to have to remember their beautiful daughter. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. NanaDianaJanuary 9, 2013 at 4:59 PM

    What a wonderful, wonderful outreach. God bless them in that which will minister to so many parents- xo Diana

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  9. Cassie BustamanteJanuary 9, 2013 at 5:18 PM

    that is so special!!!!! what a treasure for you to always have jack at your heart.

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  10. ellaJanuary 9, 2013 at 5:47 PM

    I love this so much. What a precious gift.

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  11. UnknownJanuary 9, 2013 at 5:50 PM

    What an awesome gift! I have 2 necklaces that I alternate. The 1st I ordered in the middle of the night from an etsy shop about 3 weeks after Sully died. The 2nd I bought a few months later after panicking that I'd lose or break the 1st. Rational thinking wasn't at it's best. :) Sometimes it helps to have something solid that you can grab hold of. It will be 2 years on Friday. The panic is back.

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  12. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.January 9, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    I especially love that photo of Jack! What a lovely and generous gift!

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  13. MarinkaJanuary 9, 2013 at 6:25 PM

    That is beautiful. And what a generous gesture. xo

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  14. Ellen aka EllieJanuary 9, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    The night before my friend Helen's daughter Vicki died, my husband went to see her in the hospital. He spoke with her and read the bible to her, and they prayed together. She accepted Christ, and a few hours later she died.

    Vicki, days shy of her 25th birthday, hadn't allowed anyone to really talk with her about God but she asked for Brad to visit two days before she died, and then again that night.

    This necklace would be so good for Helen. My husband just spent some time going back into the bible to recall what passages he was led to share with her that night. She didn't live long enough to have a favorite, but we think we've settled on one...

    John 17:2.

    I will be contacting Amanda as soon as we are certain. Thank you for this. I may have one made for my son's friend Brandon's mom too.

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  15. HillaryJanuary 9, 2013 at 8:29 PM

    This made me cry. How beautiful that the verse was written in Jack's handwriting.

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  16. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2013 at 11:38 PM

    What a wonderful thing for Amanda to do.

    @Jamie, I can't help hoping that Friday is even just a little gentler for you than anticipated. The fact that anyone could even try to go on after the kind of loss that you, Anna, and others have experienced makes me feel as if I have something solid that I can grab on to. I have never experienced such a loss, but all courage is very important. I'm so sorry the panic has returned. May God bless you and keep you in His heart.

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  18. UnknownJanuary 10, 2013 at 4:31 AM

    what a beautiful idea - and I just love that Jack was in your Christmas photo through such a precious gift!
    xxx

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  19. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2013 at 4:45 AM

    Amanda and her DH are living your 2013 word Genorosity. Prayers and peace to all who have lost their babies.

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  20. AmyJanuary 10, 2013 at 5:17 AM

    Wow, that is wonderful. I am going to e-mail her about providing some at my cost for people who would want them.

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  21. UnknownJanuary 10, 2013 at 7:10 AM

    How amazing!

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  22. Kathy at kissing the frogJanuary 10, 2013 at 7:55 AM

    Thank you for posting this, Anna. I will have to look into it. My sister-in-law had a necklace made for me that has Joey's fingerprint on it, and I wear it almost everyday. I have a ring, too that has Joey's name on it that I haven't taken off since I had it made on our Make-A-Wish trip. Blessing to you and your family for a peaceful 2013!

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  23. Princess KateJanuary 10, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    I love that people out there are trying to help each other in any way that they can. Gives me hope for this place. With everything that you read about in the newspapers/online, you forget there truly are beautiful people roaming around.

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  24. UnknownJanuary 10, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    They are wonderful for doing that. Somehow I can't picture you without that bracelet now.

    Love you

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  25. UnknownJanuary 10, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    oops! I meant to say necklace!

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  26. UnknownJanuary 10, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    This is amazing. What a beautiful gift.

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  27. tracy@sellabitmumJanuary 10, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    So incredibly beautiful and thoughtful. People are good. xoxo

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  28. PegJanuary 10, 2013 at 4:51 PM

    My four sisters and I each wear a necklace with five imperfect circles representing each of us including my sister who died. My five year old Liam lives to play with it and name each of his aunts even the one in heaven.

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  29. Meredith SelfJanuary 11, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    Ordering one for Donna! Love it! Love you!

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  30. Debby@Just BreatheJanuary 11, 2013 at 8:47 AM

    The necklace is beautiful. I am going to save her contact information. Have a lovely weekend.

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  31. NishaJanuary 11, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    I first read your story months ago, and I honestly think of your family and Jack multiple times every single day. He is a beautiful, beautiful boy and we have fallen in love with him through your memories and photos and words. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability and for putting so many things in perspective. Thank you for reminding me that God is good, heaven is real and that His mercy really does sustain us through the darkest of times. How do you do that?! I'm sorry every day for your loss and will continue praying for your family.

    Love,
    Nisha

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  32. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2013 at 10:15 AM

    @Jamie, I hope today has some peaceful moments for you. (hugs)

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  33. anymommyJanuary 11, 2013 at 4:28 PM

    Wow. His handwriting on the back is just fabulous. What a beautiful gift and a beautiful gesture.

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  34. StimeyJanuary 11, 2013 at 5:31 PM

    I've seen this beautiful necklace, but I had no idea about what was on the back. That makes it more special than I can say. Beautiful.

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  35. JenniferJanuary 11, 2013 at 11:50 PM

    I wish we could have one made for each of the Sandy Hook parents...I would pay for one!

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  36. Diana LesjakJanuary 13, 2013 at 6:51 PM

    I am with Jennifer... I too would purchase one for a dear Sandy Hook parent!

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  37. the mama bird diariesJanuary 16, 2013 at 8:46 PM

    I love that necklace. I'm going to contact her for my friend Lanie who lost two boys. This would me so much to her.

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  38. Denise FrescasJanuary 28, 2013 at 2:11 PM

    I love this necklace Anns. I know God has brought you into my life. I've felt so completely alone since losing my son to a horrible illness 7 months ago. God bless you!
    Jenna Denise.

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  39. Harvesting JoyJanuary 30, 2013 at 6:27 AM

    I love, love, love this! My son died just over two years ago and I haven't been able to do a family photo since. I pretty much have given up on Christmas cards ever again. But this is a great idea and while it will still sting, it's better than nothing. Thank you for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. TriciaMarch 7, 2013 at 12:09 PM

      I just wanted to share with you that after my daughter died ir took me over 4 years to do a family picture. And when we did we had a framed picture of her and with us so she would be in the picture too. I had a quilt made from pieces of her clothing and we also used it in the pictures. God bless you

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  40. Travel UniversallyFebruary 4, 2013 at 6:46 AM

    You all seem very happy family.

    by god grace u always live happy.

    all the best to u and your cute child

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  41. United-21 HyderabadFebruary 4, 2013 at 6:49 AM

    I like this type of subjected posts.

    Thanks for sharing some personal things with all of us

    byee

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  42. TriciaMarch 7, 2013 at 12:11 PM

    1 day I was walking in the mall here and found a place that took something Jaci had written shrunk it down and put it on a dog tag with her picture on the back I will always cherish it

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