Nieces and Nephews Lost Their Mother

M.,

They have photo books now that can be done which are so beautiful.

You could create a book documenting their mom's love for them from birth to now. That way when that have moments of sadness they can look back. Also when they think they are forgetting what their mom was like they can look back and have something to smile about.

Having lost a son the day he was born in April, we know the value of preserving ones memory.

Sorrow. Tip: the Camp Verde Senior Center has a Thriftstore in the basement, and it is EXTRA CHEAP. Quality clothes, books toy, etc...Hope it helps.

Oh, that is so sad. I'm so sorry for your family and those poor children. I agree with the quilt idea - out of their mother's clothes. I just finished making one for my mother-in-law (my father-in-law passed in August), and I am really looking forward to giving it to her. Someone made one for my grandma when my grandpa died and she snuggles up in it when she feels lonely and misses him.
Wishing you all the best.

I am so sorry for your loss!

My best friend just lost her husband 8 weeks ago and she bought a locket for her 3 year old to have a picture of her and daddy in it. She loves it and she decides when she wants to wear it. So if there are any girls that might be something they would like.

Encourage everyone to keep talking about your sister-in-law so the kids have memories and so they know it's ok to still talk about mommy.

I agree with everyone about the memory book. I am doing one for my best friend and the kids. I had a notecards at the Celebration of Life that told people what I was doing and to please send me their memories and/or photos (that way you have stories from a variety of people throughout her life) You can also have some blank 3x5 index cards for people to write a note at that moment so you don't have to wait to collect them.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

My Condolences. So sorry for your and your family's loss. Love the ideas so far. More than anything, they need support, good memories and good feelings. Maybe take them for a day or two during vacations (the drive is a killer, but will make a HUGE impact in their lives) and go to the zoo, museum, etc. Just to feel like they can relax and enjoy the day, no other agenda. They can built amazing lifelong memories filled with love and caring.

Just from movies/books, I'd think that what they would really treasure, especially in future years, is memories of their mother. Then when memories start to fade, they can go to something and remember.

How awful for you and your brother's family. I am sending my prayers and condolences. ugh! Here's my idea: about 5 years ago, my best friend from college passed away after a very short battle with oral cancer. She was 33 y.o and she was diagnosed when her first baby was only 3 months. When she died, her daughter Sophie was just shy of 1 year. Audrey's parents reached out to all of her friends and asked us to write a letter to Sophie - describing our relationship with her mom, things about Audrey that we loved, memories, etc. Then, they had these letters made into a hard bound book. It's different in your case because all of the kids are older, and some old enough to have known their mom very well. But something like that could be meaningful in many ways. It gives the kids a chance to know special things about their mom that they might not otherwise have known and it also gives the people who write the letters a chance to grieve, to acknowledge the person who has passed away, etc.

Anyway, just an idea. Good luck!
M.

So sorry for the loss that has got to be hard. My father passed away at 40 yrs old when I was 12. I wish that my mom would have kept his clothes and made them into a quilt. I am currently making a quilt for my stepdads sister-in-law with my step dads brothers clothes. My step dads brother passed away this summer and we got some of his flannel shirts so I am turning them into a quilt and we put a picture of him and his wife in the middle. It is turning out quite nice and I think she will love it.
A word of advice tell him not to get rid of anything. If he wants it gone then he should pack it away and pull it out a year later and then decide what to do with it. My mom got rid of a lot of stuff and regrets getting rid of it.

M.,

I am so sorry for their loss, and yours. The strength and love of the family will help them the most right now. As for gifts...framed, individual pictures of them with their mom or a collage of pictures for each of them would be good. For the younger ones, maybe a pillow or small blanket with mommy's picture on it.

hi, firstly sorry for your loss, what a terrible tragedy!!!i think a nice way to remember their mom is for them to donate something in her memory something like a toy or book for each of the kids classrooms (depending on their age ) so this way everytime its being used, their mom is remembered in a very special way!! may your family never know of such sorrow ever again!!

I am so so sorry:(
I agree with many of the posts....please make sure he does not get rid of anything--even if you take boxes and keep them someplace. As the kids get older they will want to see stuff and learn more.

I am so sorry for your loss. My sister passed away at the age of 34 leaving behind her three children. Her work made the kids blankets with their mother's picture on it. I'm not sure how they did it but it was really cool how they made them...

Hello!
I just wanted to second the memory book idea. My husband just passed away November 18th leaving me and two little ones aged 22 months and 4. It is so hard to think of something but while talking to my 4 year old he wanted to make sure his baby sister remembers Daddy so we have started a memory book that he is helping with, putting pictures in as well as words that will help her remember him. At night I am working on the same type book for him so he too can remember daddy. Maybe write them a note and tell them in the spring you will come and plant a tree or garden with them so they have a place close to visit and remember the good times.
Good luck to you and your family.

How about a memory book? Pictures of their mom and places for the older ones to journal their memories so the younger ones can be a part too.

I am so sorry. I feel their pain. My mom passed away at 36 years old, a month before I was legally allowed to see her again (I was given up for adoption). I knew my mom for the first 10 years old my life and the only thing I could think about until I was 18 was finding her. For me, it was different because no one thought that I should miss her. I wish someone would have just hugged me and tried to keep her memory alive for me. If you live 7 hours away the most meaningful thing you could do is the go and visit them. Maybe take a long weekend off. Be there for them. I am so sorry! They are in my thoughts and prayers!

It may not be the most helpful thing for the little ones right now but if you can take the time and write each child a letter about the wonderful things or happy memories you have about their mother and hopefully a memory that involves something she said, did or experienced with that child. It will turn into something each child treasures as they try to hold onto who their mother was. adding a picture or putting togther a photo album for each of pictures of her would be a good thing as well. God bless and good luck to all of your family.