Sad Day...picture added

[aprilpzzl]

Will be thinking about your family, Pat.
Sorry for your loss. She had a nice long life.

[Monica]

Condolences on your loss, Pat.

[pat-czap]

Thank you, and hugs to you as well... such a kind group of ladies.

Still waiting to hear the details, then we are able to make our plans.

[jfugina]

Just saw this .. so sorry for your loss, Pat.

[pamcook]

Pat, how are you and your husband doing?

[pat-czap]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for asking Pam, we are doing okay!

We are back. What a busy few days.

All went so very well, thanks to some wonderful planning with a few surprises thrown in...the good kind of surprises.

My sister in law Vicky had been planning for a while now, as we knew it was a matter of time for Helen.

Being the creative gal that she is, she even works for a paper company, she set her mind in motion. Scrapbook photo albums were out, picture boards were made...etc. Vicky took her mom's "beloved" cashmere winter coat from the 80's, and had a lady make 3 stuffed bears from the fabric. Helen even signed the tags with a message to her 3 kids. I will have to take a pic of this for you to see. It was a spectacular hit. Sitting by these 3 bears was a framed pic of Helen in the coat, with the story of the bears. So special. At the funeral mass, Vicky had the priest bless stones with the word STRENGTH inscribed, and all in attendance got one. This was the word Vicky chose to describe an attribute of her mom.

The weather was great as well.

We had all 3 sons with us, a rare thing nowadays. All in all, a very nice reunion among the family, remembering a grand lady.

[nancine]

that sounds so great Pat - what a special thing to do with the coat! So glad all your boys were there with you too!

[troublesmom]

So happy for all of you Pat! It is never easy when one looses a family member. Vicky did what she needed to keep herself busy during this time. Your sister-in-law does sound like a gem. Tears and joy go well together. Looking forward to seeing the bears.

[jmp1022]

wonderful Pat

[mpizzazz]

Oh, Pat, that sounds like a wonderful celebration of Helen's life. Love the coat and bears story. So special!

[pat-czap]

BTT

[troublesmom]

Pat what a beautiful bear. I am sure it will be treasured for years to come. What a wonderful memory.

[paddlegal]

What a precious idea to make those bears. A true treasure.

[EDelValle]

I think I would have been a blubbering mess,
if I had been given a bear, made from a loved
one's coat, or any article of clothing, and a note from
that person, I would have been useless for the rest of the day.
Your SIL and MIL must have been very close to be able
to plan such a wonderful remembrance of your MIL

I'm glad you were all able to celebrate her life with fond
memories

[pbp908]

Love the bear! Many years ago I saw an ad for a company that does this, and approached DH about having his mom's fur turned into bears. He said no way, so the thing is in the closet deteriorating. Can you imagine ME wearing fur??? Even if I were the type who could pull it off, my luck is that PETA would throw something gross on it.

Anyway, didn't mean to hijack.

It sounds as if your MIL was remembered sweetly and lovingly in a true celebration of her life.