I didn't think it was possible to find other ways (besides planting a tree or giving to a charity) of keeping a loved one close, this blew my mind, Kristi. It's precious, thank you for sharing.
Awww I LOVE this! What a beautiful way to keep your son nearby! And they are gorgeous! Love the glow in the dark. So cool! I know there are so many interesting things you can do with remains-jewelry...put into tattoo ink 😬 (i would not do they personally!)
I wouldn't do the tattoo ink but I did pay to get his digital thumb print so I could someday get a tattoo or make it into a canvas artpiece. SO many beautiful options, that's for sure!
This is beautiful and fascinating, Kristi. I love the way you explained, "I love that he’s here, quietly doing a job and being part of the everyday rhythm of my home."
Great stuff Kristi! I planted an oak tree with my dad’s ashes. We’ve since moved away but when we get our farm I plan to plant a permanent tree in his honor
So gorgeous - and I love the glow-in-the dark. Perfection, my friend. He would love the idea of it. I certainly do. I’d love to glow-in-the-dark one day.
What a beautiful piece to make of/from Curtis. I didn’t know you could use ashes. I’m also enjoying reading all the other ideas your subscribers are sharing.
You are the coolest person, Kristi. Absolutely love that you did this. How freaking special. I also love that he's quietly there as you go about writing your Substack and doing all the things you do. There's a really cool glassblowing shop in Whitehorse, Yukon. I went this summer. They also have a restaurant attached. My sister-in-law got her dog's ashes put in glass from that shop.
Aww thank you! I'm super grateful this idea came to me from another mom.
I love that you had the chance to see this kind of thing in person. It's the coolest thing to watch. And love that your SIL made one with her dog. This artist had some dog paw ones in his showroom as well.
Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO, has a glassblowing shop, and I've watched it a few times. I think it's so cool with beautiful figurines and things. The ones in your photos are awesome. I'm also familiar with glory holes, but not in this context. Haha
I love the paperweights, and that part made me tear up a bit.
You're the FIRST person who even addressed the glory hole part 😆 Love it.
That's cool you've seen glassblowers at work. It truly is mesmerizing! I don't know if I could commit myself to learning a craft that could maim me for life if I did it wrong.
Haha so many options out there that it almost doesn't make sense to just look at an urn sitting on a shelf, hey? 😁
I paid for a digital copy of Curtis's fingerprint as well but have yet to create something with it. I thought I wanted a tattoo but now maybe I want a huge canvas art piece. Indecisive at best...I'll probably die with his fingerprint still as a file 😂
You probably already know how much I love this! But just in case: I LOVE THIS!!! I chose a fingerprint necklace, of my Dear Man since this brilliance was not a local option — not that I had heard of it in Feb 2021 — but my “Beloved Departed” boxes and one urn — 3 dogs, one hubby — have a little special spot on a shelf beside my bed. Cuz I want to be sprinkled WITH them, unless son wishes to get me my own box 🤷♀️but maybe we will become a giant lawn sculpture? I could totally go for that! 💙💙💙
It’s a special ‘landmark’ that outlives us all, gives back to the planet, and apparently costs a lot less than a park bench. The kit with tax and shipping was $76 and 3 of us great aunts split the cost. We lost our mom at the same age they are and because of fighting between the families it was like she simply disappeared. I’ve since located her grave and visit it regularly, but back then it wasn’t a thing and nowadays people often cremate for financial reasons giving youngsters no place to visit or have a conversation with their departed loved ones. I really appreciate your raising the topic and starting a conversation.
She engraved Soundwaves into custom jewelry. She can create the wave from any audio clip and I'm thinking of sending her a "HI Mom" clip from my son. I'd love to see what that soundwave would look like.
No. My coworkers bought me a tree to plant which was so thoughtful. Hubby and I planted it and put some of the ashes in the hole before we set the tree in. After that I started buying trees as sympathy gifts. I just got one for my great niece and nephew when their father died. Theirs is a project kit to grow it from a seed. Here’s the link to the company.
A beautiful choice Kristi. I bet he enjoys being a small planet within your orbit (so much better than being zipped closed in a plastic baggie 🤭 did I say that out loud?
My brothers wouldn’t allow my Mom’s ashes to be split up in any way. I was forced to change my hopes. What I did instead was to cut a few small locks of her hair and bought small necklaces (designed for this purpose) which were in the shape of a heart. They were tiny vials where I placed locks of Mom’s hair, then screwed the cap on and superglued it shut. My two daughters and I have them.
Yes that is totally a thing too! There is also jewelry with tiny chambers that will hold ashes. I've got earrings and a few other wearable pieces. It's kind of cool because nobody knows except me when I wear them.
I didn't think it was possible to find other ways (besides planting a tree or giving to a charity) of keeping a loved one close, this blew my mind, Kristi. It's precious, thank you for sharing.
Right? I guess you don't know until you know. I was so glad to have discovered this.
Awww I LOVE this! What a beautiful way to keep your son nearby! And they are gorgeous! Love the glow in the dark. So cool! I know there are so many interesting things you can do with remains-jewelry...put into tattoo ink 😬 (i would not do they personally!)
I wouldn't do the tattoo ink but I did pay to get his digital thumb print so I could someday get a tattoo or make it into a canvas artpiece. SO many beautiful options, that's for sure!
Yeah, putting someone else's remains IN my body is a no! Lol but I love that you have his thumbprint for a tattoo potentially! (Or art - beautiful!)
This is beautiful and fascinating, Kristi. I love the way you explained, "I love that he’s here, quietly doing a job and being part of the everyday rhythm of my home."
Thanks Chris 😊 It’s been an interesting journey for sure.
Great stuff Kristi! I planted an oak tree with my dad’s ashes. We’ve since moved away but when we get our farm I plan to plant a permanent tree in his honor
Was it one of those compostable containers?? That is so special.
So gorgeous - and I love the glow-in-the dark. Perfection, my friend. He would love the idea of it. I certainly do. I’d love to glow-in-the-dark one day.
What a beautiful piece to make of/from Curtis. I didn’t know you could use ashes. I’m also enjoying reading all the other ideas your subscribers are sharing.
I had no idea either, until that other mom told me about hers. So unique 😊
You are the coolest person, Kristi. Absolutely love that you did this. How freaking special. I also love that he's quietly there as you go about writing your Substack and doing all the things you do. There's a really cool glassblowing shop in Whitehorse, Yukon. I went this summer. They also have a restaurant attached. My sister-in-law got her dog's ashes put in glass from that shop.
Aww thank you! I'm super grateful this idea came to me from another mom.
I love that you had the chance to see this kind of thing in person. It's the coolest thing to watch. And love that your SIL made one with her dog. This artist had some dog paw ones in his showroom as well.
That is so cool. I love the idea.
Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO, has a glassblowing shop, and I've watched it a few times. I think it's so cool with beautiful figurines and things. The ones in your photos are awesome. I'm also familiar with glory holes, but not in this context. Haha
I love the paperweights, and that part made me tear up a bit.
You're the FIRST person who even addressed the glory hole part 😆 Love it.
That's cool you've seen glassblowers at work. It truly is mesmerizing! I don't know if I could commit myself to learning a craft that could maim me for life if I did it wrong.
Haha so many options out there that it almost doesn't make sense to just look at an urn sitting on a shelf, hey? 😁
I paid for a digital copy of Curtis's fingerprint as well but have yet to create something with it. I thought I wanted a tattoo but now maybe I want a huge canvas art piece. Indecisive at best...I'll probably die with his fingerprint still as a file 😂
You probably already know how much I love this! But just in case: I LOVE THIS!!! I chose a fingerprint necklace, of my Dear Man since this brilliance was not a local option — not that I had heard of it in Feb 2021 — but my “Beloved Departed” boxes and one urn — 3 dogs, one hubby — have a little special spot on a shelf beside my bed. Cuz I want to be sprinkled WITH them, unless son wishes to get me my own box 🤷♀️but maybe we will become a giant lawn sculpture? I could totally go for that! 💙💙💙
Love this so much.
How completely stunningly beautiful. 💕
My MIL does have a diamond that she wears made from Papa (my FIL) and whenever I see it, I think of a memory and that is always a good thing.
It’s a special ‘landmark’ that outlives us all, gives back to the planet, and apparently costs a lot less than a park bench. The kit with tax and shipping was $76 and 3 of us great aunts split the cost. We lost our mom at the same age they are and because of fighting between the families it was like she simply disappeared. I’ve since located her grave and visit it regularly, but back then it wasn’t a thing and nowadays people often cremate for financial reasons giving youngsters no place to visit or have a conversation with their departed loved ones. I really appreciate your raising the topic and starting a conversation.
I'm always happy to be the one opening space for conversation, even about the hard stuff!
There are so many beautiful keepsake ideas!! I love the diamond idea.
I know a lady who makes Soundwave jewelry and I'm seriously thinking about getting something done with one of the many voice notes I have from Curtis.
I have no idea what that is but it sounds amazing
She engraved Soundwaves into custom jewelry. She can create the wave from any audio clip and I'm thinking of sending her a "HI Mom" clip from my son. I'd love to see what that soundwave would look like.
No. My coworkers bought me a tree to plant which was so thoughtful. Hubby and I planted it and put some of the ashes in the hole before we set the tree in. After that I started buying trees as sympathy gifts. I just got one for my great niece and nephew when their father died. Theirs is a project kit to grow it from a seed. Here’s the link to the company.
https://www.seedsoflife.com/in-memory
I love that so much!!! What a beautiful idea.
ohhhhh soundwave jewelry is soooo beautiful.
A beautiful choice Kristi. I bet he enjoys being a small planet within your orbit (so much better than being zipped closed in a plastic baggie 🤭 did I say that out loud?
My brothers wouldn’t allow my Mom’s ashes to be split up in any way. I was forced to change my hopes. What I did instead was to cut a few small locks of her hair and bought small necklaces (designed for this purpose) which were in the shape of a heart. They were tiny vials where I placed locks of Mom’s hair, then screwed the cap on and superglued it shut. My two daughters and I have them.
Teyani, I love the idea of locks of hair as well. I have jewelry where I was able to put small amounts of his ashes and seal shut as well.
I also have clear Christmas decoration balls with tufts of my previous dog's fur lol. I suck at letting go!
Wow, so beautiful! Seeing it glow in the dark is so magical, truly moving. 🥹
Thanks Elle! That’s my favorite part…the glow is so comforting when I turn off my lights and go to bed. So pretty.
What a beautiful story that made me smile and brought tears. Thanks for sharing, Kristi.
This was beautiful Kristi.
My mil has said she wants my wife to turn her into a diamond when she passes. Apparently that’s a thing.
Yes that is totally a thing too! There is also jewelry with tiny chambers that will hold ashes. I've got earrings and a few other wearable pieces. It's kind of cool because nobody knows except me when I wear them.
Very cool