Birthday Remembrance

A few weeks ago one of my very best friends/business partner died. That very night we had a party. She would have loved it. She loved people in her house all visiting laughing eating..

Then the following Sunday we had a Celebration of her life.. Chili Cook off! We invited everyone who loved her to attend and participate.. It was so much fun, we decided to make it an annual event. This included everyone from the week before and the people that were from out of town or out of state. People brought their pots of chili, some people brought corn bread, desserts, beverages.. Complete blast.

Again, she would have LOVED that everyone was having such a great time in her honor..

I am still dealing with her loss. I miss her every moment, but when I look at the photos from those events.. it really helps.. It has also allowed me to get to know so many more of her relatives and friends that I had nnever met.

how about going to her favorite restaurant and having a meal? you can toast her and share happy memories about her.

it's been 18+ years since my daughter died. Each year, I buy a bouquet of flowers, I light a candle in memory, & I say a prayer. Simple moments such as this bring me Peace.

For the 1st 18 years, I also bought a Snowbaby Christmas ornament for our tree. My daughter's ornaments are the 1st on the tree each year. I don't know "why" I've stopped buying the ornaments....but 18 seemed like a good stopping point. One day, I may start again....but this year, it simply felt right to stick with the childhood years. :)

My Dad passed away on my daughter's death date....a couple of years ago. On their death anniversary, I also light candles....& I usually have flowers, too. Prayers are said....& I always visit the cemetery regularly to clean my Dad's grave. (our daughter was cremated after "gift of body" donation.)

Hope sharing this helps....Peace to you.

My young son and I wrote a note to my mom on her first birthday after her passing. I rolled it up and put it in a balloon, and we took it outside and "sent" it to her in heaven.

Yes, of course, it got stuck in the neighbors' tree across the street, but it's the thought that counts, right? :)

I'm not sure what you mean by memorial - whether you want to remember the birthday or do something to commemorate your friend.

You could talk to the family and ask if they'd like to join you for dinner or for something activity you could all enjoy. Be prepared to talk or not talk about her, as they would wish. I hope you will be able to talk about her and remember the happy times.

If you want to do a commemorative thing, you could donate to an organization or charity that your friend loved, in her memory and in celebration of her birthdate.

Several years ago, the husband of a friend died of an unexpected illness. One of the things her family and friends did was to "endow" a bench in his memory. It's in the park near where they lived at the time.

Bake her favorite cake or drink that she enjoyed. Talk about the good and funny memories. Celebrate as if she is still alive, the main thing is to never forgot her. Or have her favorite music playing... just remember her always and never forget her...

Make a donation in memory of her...if there is an organization that is meaningful to her husband or son, make the donation to that organization. I'm sorry. :(