Posted by Betty on January 30, 1999 at 16:00:39:
In Reply to: What to do with sympathy notes.... posted by KarenB on January 07, 1999 at 07:18:42:
: I am not sure how to handle this....
: We have lost three loved ones during 1998. (This was not a good year for us. Thank goodness 1999 is finally here.) I have pitched in and handled funeral organization and medical and insurance records, etc.
: But now I am puzzled over what to do with the sympathy cards, flower cards, memorial notices, newspaper clippings, etc. Is it appropriate to put these in a scrapbook of sorts? Should I box each one individually and put it away and deal with them sometime in the future?
: Right now I have each a plastic sheet protector for each person containing their respective clippings and cards. Would it be inappropriate to put all three (who are totally unrelated except through my nuclear family) in the same book?
: As well, my collection of cards, etc. is not the only collection. My parents and uncle each have a collection from my grandmother's passing; my mother-in-law has a collection from my father-in-law's passing; and one collection is for a dear friend & teacher.
: Should I give my collections to the closer relatives or keep them for my children and me?
: I know this is a delicate matter that needs to be handled tastefully and lovingly. I want to preserve the good memories and not dwell on their deaths, but I don't want to discard the items related to their funerals/memorial services.
: Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
: Thank you-
: Karen B
When my 21 yr old daughter died, we received hundreds of cards, letters, flowers, photos... you get the idea. I glued the cards into 2 large scrapbooks, photocopying anything written on the back and pasting it below the card. The letters went into plastic protector pages, one to each, to which i also added pictures of the writer and my daughter together, momentos of their times togehter, etc. and then into a 3-ring binder. Another 3 ring binder stores all her school pix, postcards, embroidered patches, flower cards (in pages meant to store business cards... they fit great) etc. and yet another all the letters and cards she had written to us from college. Since she was in the military when she died, we received official notification letters and telegrams, sympathy letters from the SecNav, the Naval Academy Superintendent, and various other government officials and other things that were important to keep, so those went into a special navy blue and gold album. Lisa died 5 yrs ago, but I still pull them out to look at from time to time, as well as to share with her friends when they visit us for the first time and ask to see the stuff, watch her USNA memorial video, and listen to the tape we made of her funeral here, to share with all those who were on active duty and unable to get away. Sorry this is so long, but I hope it helps you think of the right answer for yourself.