Saturday Morning Message: An Ornament For Your Loved One

Good Morning,

Hugs,
Carol Lane
Mother of Bryon

Question for Next Week’s Saturday Morning Message 

The responses to this week’s question can be used any time of the year. We all have days that are difficult. They can be holidays, birthdays, angelversaries, or other times that can be tough. We also have other family members and friends who need to know we care about them. This week’s question is: How do you let others close to you know you still love them while you are grieving? We look forward to your responses. 

We can honor our loved ones by communicating with each other through writing. 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 in the week’s Saturday Morning Message, it is best to send it 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

Basmattie, mother of Kris, sent the song for the week which is “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” which is one that she said he loved. 

You can send me favorite songs for this song of the week section at online@taps.org. I directly receive all responses that are sent to this address.

Answers from Survivors

Responses from Survivors to last week’s question: If you could give your loved one an ornament today, what would the ornament symbolize?

From Debby, wife of Thomas E: If I was able to give Tom a Christmas ornament, I think it would probably be a Salvation Army kettle. Tom never was able to pass one by without putting some money into it. The last Christmas that Tom was alive, there was a little red-headed boy outside of the grocery store that we always went to. The boy, who was about 5-years-old, was helping his dad with the bell ringing and was dancing his heart out. I remember Tom taking out his wallet again after putting in money and giving the little boy a dollar and telling him that it was for him, because he was such a good little helper.

This year, I was going into a grocery store and remembered that day and took my wallet out thinking about Tom and his kettle donations, and as I was putting money into the kettle I noticed a shiny penny laying on the top of the red kettle... it made me smile and I knew then that Tom was showing me he approved. Even if there wasn’t a little red-headed boy dancing his little heart out this time.

From Larry, husband of Alice: If I could give my spouse in heaven an ornament today, it would symbolize “love.” She was the love of my life; everything she did was in the name of love. She loved God, family and herself. She loved everybody and she lived it. You can’t do what she did and not go to heaven. I love her so much and I know how much she loved me. I tell her thank you everyday. It’s tough, but I think of her love in these times of the year as well as everyday. Looking back makes me wonder what God’s plan is. I’m often stuck. I try to let her light lead my actions and live loved.

From Debbie, wife of Thomas G: I would give an ornament that was a circle of mirrors, so he could see the hero he is as the son, the husband and father. He was the gift and is to so many. I would like him to see himself as every mirror shows how incredibly special he was and is to every person he made as a friend and to see how loved he is. I don't think he really knew what a joyful impact he had on people. I wish he realized it, so an ornament that is a circle of mirrors would let him to see for himself what he meant and did through his life's circle.

From Andi, mother of Jacob: When my Jacob was a boy, we would do an ornament-making project every December so he could give them as gifts to his grandparents, aunts, uncles and teachers. In 2001, we glued his school picture to old computer software CDs and decorated them with fancy paper, stars, buttons and glitter glue. That one is still hanging on his grandparents’ refrigerator. His last Christmas in 2016 I Mod Podged family photos onto refrigerator magnets for his apartment. This year I wish he were here to make Swedish Stars out of folded paper, which I just learned how to do on YouTube. I got glitter spray for them, which I know he would love! If I could give him something, I would give him another chance to make ornaments for everyone who loves him. It’s so hard to go on without him and find a way to celebrate, but I am trying.

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.