When was the last time you spent Memorial Day cleaning then picnicking on the graves of your dearly departed? While the custom may still run strong in some pockets of the country, most everyone I know has little relationship to graveside rituals these days. We live far dispersed from our ancestors, and rising cremation rates mean many folks don't have that "final resting place."
As we head into Memorial Day this year, I want to share a few inspiring memorial tributes that aren't limited to a specific date or place.
Monday Hearts for Madalene
This amazing project is a tribute by Page Hodel for her beloved partner who died of ovarian cancer in 2006 at the age of 46. When they were first falling in love, Page began constructing hearts for Madalene, left on her doorstep each Monday. "I wanted her to find a sweet little 'I love you' waiting for her when she went out the door to go to work on Monday morning," Page says. "To start her week with a visual reminder of our beautiful love."
As we head into Memorial Day this year, I want to share a few inspiring memorial tributes that aren't limited to a specific date or place.
Monday Hearts for Madalene
This amazing project is a tribute by Page Hodel for her beloved partner who died of ovarian cancer in 2006 at the age of 46. When they were first falling in love, Page began constructing hearts for Madalene, left on her doorstep each Monday. "I wanted her to find a sweet little 'I love you' waiting for her when she went out the door to go to work on Monday morning," Page says. "To start her week with a visual reminder of our beautiful love."
Before Madalene died, Page promised that she would continue making Monday hearts for Madalene for the rest of her life - and so she has. There have been 407 thus far. You can view them all on her web site where you can sign up to get each week's spectacular creation emailed to you.
Now contained in a book (sales benefit a women's cancer project in the Bay Area), the hearts have connected thousands of people around the world to the expressions of love that are Madalene's legacy.
Now contained in a book (sales benefit a women's cancer project in the Bay Area), the hearts have connected thousands of people around the world to the expressions of love that are Madalene's legacy.
Loss and the Sweetness of Memory
When Teresa Jordan sat down to watch a movie, she didn't expect to be reminded of her mother, who died nearly 40 years ago. But the film stirred something and inspired her to make a short film of her own for Mother's Day: Perfume, which she describes as "an illustrated moment about loss and the sweetness of memory."
With musical accompaniment by her husband Hal Cannon, this tender little slice of death-in-life provoked personal remembrances among many who viewed it.
Teresa's film found its way to my in box via my favorite blog, Go Ask Alice...when she's 94. Writer Andrea Carlisle created this on-line journal as a living memorial to her mother, Alice, who moved across the country to reside in an assisted living facility she has dubbed The Place. Andrea uses the blog "to keep track of some moments with her that I don't ever want to forget".
The sweetness of memory, indeed, for the loves still with us, and the ones we have lost.
When Teresa Jordan sat down to watch a movie, she didn't expect to be reminded of her mother, who died nearly 40 years ago. But the film stirred something and inspired her to make a short film of her own for Mother's Day: Perfume, which she describes as "an illustrated moment about loss and the sweetness of memory."
With musical accompaniment by her husband Hal Cannon, this tender little slice of death-in-life provoked personal remembrances among many who viewed it.
Teresa's film found its way to my in box via my favorite blog, Go Ask Alice...when she's 94. Writer Andrea Carlisle created this on-line journal as a living memorial to her mother, Alice, who moved across the country to reside in an assisted living facility she has dubbed The Place. Andrea uses the blog "to keep track of some moments with her that I don't ever want to forget".
The sweetness of memory, indeed, for the loves still with us, and the ones we have lost.
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Thank you to Page, Lily, Teresa, Hal, Andrea, and Alice.
Thank you to Page, Lily, Teresa, Hal, Andrea, and Alice.
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