Saturday Morning Message: Hobbies that Heal
Author: Carol Lane
Good morning,
One collection I always look for when I go to a TAPS event is the TAPS family tree display. At each event where it is displayed, survivors are welcome to add their loved ones’ pictures. I spend a lot of time looking at the pictures of service members and talking to their loved ones. I am proud that my son’s picture is included with all the others. This week’s question was about hobbies or collections that are healing.
Remember, you can write to me anytime — to contribute, subscribe or if you have thoughts on what could make the Saturday Morning Message more helpful. I look forward to hearing from you. My email address is online@taps.org.
Hugs,
Carol Lane
Mother of Bryon
Answers from Survivors
Responses from Survivors to last week's question: Did your loved one have a favorite hobby or collection that he or she found relaxing?
From Kelsey, mother of Michael: For years it was the family joke that my big, bad Marine collected My Little Pony Rainbow Dash. I still buy them for his birthday every year. I cherish the collection and even left it to my grandson in my will.
From Michele, mother of Stephen: You know mothers save everything that our children make, because they made them. Gosh, even though they meant something then, they mean that much more now that my son, Stephen, is gone. My husband had an excavating business. Stephen was so intrigued with the excavators and loved to draw. So he decided to make a couple of pictures for his dad. He was our Picasso. Of course, my husband was so proud of him that he framed them. We just cherish those mementos! This is one of the pictures.
If you would like to send a message thanking one or all of those who participated in this week’s Saturday Morning Message, send it to me at online@taps.org and I will make sure your thoughts are passed along to them.
Question for Next Week’s Saturday Morning Message
TAPS has many events for survivors. Those new to TAPS may be wondering how others have found a TAPS event comforting, so this week’s question is: What have you found healing at a TAPS event you have attended? We look forward to your responses.
The Saturday Morning Message was created so survivors can share questions and read how others respond. By sharing coping strategies, together we become stronger. I am always looking for questions for future messages. You never know how your words may touch the heart of another. I encourage you to reply to the Saturday Morning Message by emailing online@taps.org. I directly receive all responses that are sent to this address. In order to have your reply included, it is best to send your response to me by Tuesday morning of the following week. Thank you to everyone responding this week and those who read this message.
♫ Song for the Week
The group Voices of Service performed several songs on the show "America’s Got Talent." You may recognize a couple of the group members who have performed at TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar, our biggest event of the year. I thought one of their songs, "See You Again" would be good to be the song for this week. Before their performance on this clip, they talk about what motivates them to sing, and it is inspiring.
One of our contributors, Andy, father of Danny, makes a free playlist available to you on Spotify of the songs that appear in the Saturday Morning Messages along with a few other songs special to him. The playlist is called TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) Songs of Love and Remembrance.
You can send me favorite songs for this song of the week section at online@taps.org and include a note about why the song is meaningful to you.
Related Stories
Objects That Help Heal
Do you keep around special trinkets and objects that help heal your broken heart? Survivors show us what they carry near and keep close to them.
The Things They Leave Behind
What do you keep around the house that reminds you of your loved one? Survivors share the funny, the mundane, the practical items that they cherish around the house because it meant something to their loved one.
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).