Loving. Remembering. Honoring.

cher·ish

[cher-ish] 

–verb (used with object)

1. to hold or treat as dear; feel love for.

2. to care for tenderly; nurture: to cherish a child.

3. to cling fondly or inveterately to: to cherish a memory.

{Our Labor of Love}

 

7 years ago we lost our sweet little girl Kadence. For our full story click here. Every year around this time is a little tough.

It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.

- Rose Kennedy

Last year we decided to do a little project to immerse ourselves in doing something for someone else instead of dwelling on our loss. Check out last years project here! 
I decided last year that I wanted to do something for the families in the NICU. I feel such a connection to them. The only memories I have of Kadence are there in that hospital. And when I think of her, I remember how hard it was to be there watching her suffer. I can't help but to think of those that are enduring it now. 

This year as I was trying to come up with something to do, I mentioned to my mom that I would love to be able to make necklaces for each of the NICU moms. I came across Vintaj Natural Brass while I was making necklaces for Christmas and absolutely loved the look and quality of their products! But I knew I could never afford to make 50 necklaces to be able to donate. My mom suggested I write a letter to the company explaining my situation and what I was doing to see if they would be interested in helping. It had never occurred to me that someone would believe in me and care enough about Kadence's story to want to be involved.

Not knowing if anything would come of it, and not really expecting anything to, I decided to put it out there. And I was absolutely shocked and delighted that after a short correspondence they had decided to be a part of our project! A few weeks later a box arrived on my doorstep. I opened the box and tears immediately started streaming down my face as I realized all they had donated.
::Overwhelmed::

I was so excited to be able to start planning and designing! I had a little help from Vintaj's Idea Gallery getting ideas on how best to use the products I was given. Once I had decided on the designs, I knew it would be great to have some help!

So I enlisted all these beautiful faces!

Anyone who has made jewelry knows it a process!

Shopping, counting, shopping, metal stamping, IceResin, bead wrapping, wire cutting, and counting and shopping some more, not to even mention the assembly! It is so amazing being able to spend time together while working on a project in Kadence's memory. It felt like the perfect way to honor her!

The words we chose to stamp on the necklaces were Love & Hope.

love

[luhv] noun, verb, loved, lov·ing.

–noun

1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.

3. a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.

hope

 [hohp]   noun, verb, hoped, hop·ing.

–noun

1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to have hope.

2. something that is hoped for: Her forgiveness is my constant hope.

The finished product! I couldn't be happier with the way they turned out and the joy this project brought me! I can't thank Vintaj enough for their generosity, this project would not have been possible without them!

The final step before delivery!

 

Cody and I went to the hospital to deliver the pretty little packages, containing not only a necklace but our love and thoughts. 

 We have been there.

And I feel for each and every one of those families and the hardship they are enduring. It was incredibly emotional to go back. The moment the doors open and the smell hits you, you instantly return to those moments that you spent there. But it is a good feeling to hopefully bring a small measure of comfort to those going through it now. I can only hope that they get to take their little ones home.