Where have I been?

Good question!

The last few weeks have been very busy, but in a good way! Hubby and I have put an offer on a new house (we don't know yet if we got it) and Teddy Bear Tins is taking off. That and we continue to remodel our current house, plus of course our full time jobs, of which mine is insane!

So it's been a bit stressful, but today I'm trying to breathe and recenter.

I think Teddy Bear Tins has been very important in my "recovery" process. I had been starting to have headaches and memory loss, in addition to being in a general fog for several months. Since putting my heart into this new effort I've felt a lot better.

At this point I've got a box full of 48 blank tins, all the paints, brushes, and supplies needed for the volunteer artists... basically everything needed to make the kits. For the last week I've worked to assemble boxes and have now shipped them to my first four volunteers. In about a week I hope to have the first round of finished tins. I cannot WAIT to see them!

My grandfather, Aiden's great-grandfather, is one of the volunteers. Quite unexpectedly I received a phone call from him a little while back. Smiling I could tell that he had been prodded to call by my grandmother. My grandfather asked if he could paint some of the tins, saying that he used to paint. I never knew my grandfather had been involved in art! Later my grandmother emailed me and said that she thought this was important for Grandpa, that he might need it to help him heal. Then on Sunday after I sent his box of supplies she sent me this picture:



Absolutely. Priceless.

"Thank you Lord for the gift of this day, for the love and peace that I see in this picture. I beg you to continue to comfort my grandfather and all of Aiden's loved ones. We miss him more than we can understand."

A Better Place

Teddy Bear Tins seems to be taking off, and my heart finds such peace and meaning in this new effort. After I sent my email I have had numerous responses and even have my first two volunteer artists. People can be so wonderful without even realizing it. Even those who can't "help" because they aren't able to paint tins have been so helpful. Just meeting someone at the local Walmart and having them bring up the topic of Teddy Bear Tins to apologize that they aren't able to paint brings a smile to my face. Why? Because someone has just acknowledged my nephew's legacy. Aiden is now in the hearts and minds of even more people. I truly hope that this journey accomplishes something meaningful. Not just in memory of Aiden, but in honor of the many, many children who have grown angel wings and their families.

Yesterday I finally found the source for the blank tins, a definite accomplishment! It's trickier than I expected to find the right size and shape blank white tin! But when I got off the phone with the woman I knew they would be the right place. She's even sending me a free sample to make sure they are perfect before I order a full case. :) I also found the right paints thanks to a local hobby shop this past Monday. After some fussing with them on my demo tin it seems they will do the trick, as they dry quickly, cover well, leave a durable finish, and don't require the volunteer artists to use any fancy solvents for cleanup. Never thought I'd have to learn so much about acrylics! lol With those plus the mixing sticks I picked up and the plaster of paris that seems to be working well as an imprinting medium, we are almost ready to get this ship out of the harbor. Have I mentioned how excited I am? :-P

Fingers Crossed!!

I just sent this email message out to everyone I could think of. Praying now that God's grace guides my effort and that we are able to accomplish something truly meaningful!

"In Memory of Aiden"

Dear Family and Friends,

Many of you know that on January 18th of this year we suffered the tragic and unexpected loss of my beautiful nephew Aiden, one hour before birth at 41 weeks.

In one moment our lives were changed forever, and in the five months since then I have been searching for ways to respond to what is, to say the least, an entirely changed perspective on life. Aiden was and continues to be a miracle.

No new parent should ever have to leave the hospital without their child in their arms! But for those who must, many hospitals have a special group of dedicated people who put together memory kits for the bereaved families. Kits usually include things like pictures, hand and foot prints, special articles of clothing, books/poems, and an assortment of other items as they are available. These memory kits are so important! They are a source not only of memory but of peace, a tool for grieving and healing.

And it is with that in mind that I have created Teddy Bear Tins, in loving memory of Aiden. I am so excited! Teddy Bear Tins are hand & foot imprint kits that are provided to hospitals to be used in their memory kits. A nurse makes baby’s imprint in plaster which is contained in a small hand-painted tin that mom, dad and loved ones can hold on to forever.

Our first hospital has requested that we provide them with Teddy Bear Tins, and this is where I really need your help!! I am searching for anyone with artistic ability, professional or simply talented, who would be willing to paint teddy bears on the lids of our tins! Attached is a picture of an example that I have put together. I will ship the lids and instructions to any volunteer and collect the lids after they have been painted. No cost will be involved other than time and heart! I can even provide the paints if needed!

So please, please, please! Are you or do you know someone who would be willing to help out? Could you help me find someone who is? I have faith that somewhere, someone in our many networks, in a church group or on a community board, in a circle of friends or someone you remember working with years ago, will see or hear this message and will be willing to help me help these families. Please freely pass this on. If you could have them email me as soon as possible, I would be forever in your debt!

“Thank you” doesn’t really do justice to how I feel about the support that we have received and what it means to me for people to be willing to help honor my nephew's memory.

Aiden’s Auntie always,
Meg