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Quilt Top by Me, Hand Quilted by my Mother, Doll crocheted by my Mother

Friday, December 23, 2011

The Story of a Special Bell

5 years ago on the week before Thanksgiving  a very special lady underwent tests and was diagnosed with cancer.  She had emergency surgery on Thanksgiving night but all the cancer could not be removed. She would have to undergo chemo treatments. While she was getting her chemo she said she needed a project to work on. Her normal projects were large and she no longer had the strength to do them as months of Chemo had taken it toll.. I found the lovely bell pattern online and told her I would love a set for my tree.  She worked on them when she could that year, bell after bell was lovingly created, they took her mind off the treatments and the pain.  But she didn't get to finish them all, there were a dozen or so almost done.  When we went out for her funeral I took the box of bells home.  I decided I would finish what this wonderful lady had started. I starched them and added pearls, silk roses, & a hanger. I made a beautiful box for each bell and on the front was  a photo of my Mother  and her memorial information. Inside I added a satin lining and in the lid was a poem that I found on line.

I miss you all dearly
now don't shed a tear
I spending my Christmas
with Jesus this year.

I enclosed a letter explaining the story of the bells and that this would be my Mother's last gift to them. I had this in mind the whole time as I knew she wouldn't make it till Christmas and she always made  special gifts for friends and family.  She would have been so happy to know that her Bells were finished and given to the ones she loved in her memory. The Bells were her last gift and the one that will be remembered.
Mother you are still part of my Christmas each year as My Bell has a special place on my tree.

4 comments:

Sara said...

What an endearing story to share. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Nancy said...

What a beautiful story!! It brought me to tears. I am so glad that you thought ahead and did this not only for your mother but also for the friends and family that received one last gift from her. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and are reminded of many joyous memories of your holidays with her.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this. What a wonderful present to you and to all who received these. God Bless you and your family this year and all the years ahead. Look forward to seeing her in the New Jerusalem and may He come soon. Merry Christmas.

Peggy said...

What a wonderful tribute to your mom, Bonnie. I miss my mother most during the holidays, her birthday, and Mother's Day (she died in January 1999). We visited the cemetery a couple of days before Christmas like we do each year, and it never gets easier.
Love, Peggy