Inspirational Words by Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon
(June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892) was a British Preacher who was known as the "Prince of Preachers".
In his lifetime, Spurgeon preached to around 10,000,000 people. People still look to his sermons for inspiration. When I read this passage, it really helped with a recent death in my own life and I wanted to pass it along.

"O children of God! death hath lost its sting. It is sweet to die; to lie upon the breast of Christ, and have one's soul kissed out of one's body by the lips of divine affection. And you that have lost friends, or that may be bereaved, sorrow not as those who are without hope. What a sweet thought the death of Christ brings us concerning those who are departed! They are gone, my brethren; but do you know how far they have gone? The distance between the glorified spirits in heaven and the militant saints on earth seems great; but it is not so. We are not far from home" Charles Spurgeon

Our Sympathies Gift Basket- Gourmet Trunk

Our Sympathies Gift Basket- Gourmet Trunk

Sympathy Gifts can be hard to choose. Sometimes as family and friends, we do not know what to do or say when someone is grieving. Even worse, we may even say nothing at all. As time goes on it gets even more awkward to express your sympathy and condolences for their loss. Planet Gift Baskets strives to make this situation easier on those that wish to express their sympathy. We have created a unique and personalized sympathy gift line that includes condolence gifts for all budgets, lifestyles and recipients.We have also included a line of sympathy gifts for men which can be hard to find that reflect a masculine style. Each gift comes with free personalized ribbon to express your heartfelt condolences. If you are at a loss of what to say, we have included some respectful and common expressions you may choose to add to your ribbon.

How To Help A Family Through A Rough Time

Right after high school graduation our son joined the Marines. He wanted to do something that would bring purpose to his life. Even though his father and I could think of other things we would rather see him do, we were very proud of him. While in boot camp, the unthinkable happened - 9/11.

In a nearby city, a young man who also wanted to find purpose in his life chose a career in firefighting. After graduation he started taking all the steps needed to live out his dream as a fireman. Then 9/11 happened. It made such an impact on him that he decided to join the Marines and serve his country. My son and Bryan ended up in the same platoon. They quickly became the best of friends. Over the next few months they worked hard at becoming war ready. In February of 2003 they answered the Commander-in-Chief's call and headed to Kuwait.

Bryan lost his life in Iraq. With honor, he gave his life as he protected those Marines with which he served. I remember the phone call his mom made to us just as if it were yesterday. We spent the next few days with his family grieving, crying and even laughing. The community gave Bryan's family great support and many friends stopped by their home with offerings of food, flowers, sympathy gift baskets and shared memories of Bryan. Even though the pain of their loss was overwhelming, these offerings helped comfort them.

For tips on how to help visit our Sympathy and Grief Resource Center
Sympathy Gifts of words and love can help.

How We Helped Grandpa Through The Holidays

Grandpa was funny. He always acted so strong and in control. He was the man of the family. The one who wore the pants. Sure, he loved my Grandma but he made most important decisions. I always wondered if it was him or his generation? Maybe it was both. But when Grammy died, I am sure part of Grandpa did too. See, in many ways she died slowly. My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It was a slow painful disease. We all watched her turn into someone she wasn’t. So when that first Christmas came where Grandma was with us physically but the disease had stolen most of who we knew her to be it was hard for all of us. But especially for Grandma

Grandma loved Christmas. She cherished it. I can still picture her Santa shaped sugar cookies, her beautiful table, and I can’t forget about Christmas Eve Soup night. It hurts to actually recall those things. Time changes things. And while it was inevitable, Grandpa needed our sympathy gifts that first Christmas more than anything else.

It was hard to know what to give her or him. The Grandma we knew had changes so much and most of her time was spent sitting and staring. It was heart breaking to watch and yet if we were hurting I can only imagine what Grandpa who always seemed so self assured must have felt. We decided to help him through this first holiday but keeping Grandma’s memory alive. We made a blanket with all of the great grand kids pictures on it. Both would enjoy it and Grandma always was cold before she was sick.

We made a sympathy gift for Grandpa. It was a basket of all of his favorite things that reflected Grandma. Her sugar cookies, her silly hats she made for Grandpa, a framed photo of their wedding day with an embossed love note I found in a drawer.

These sympathy gifts were hard to see. But meant the world to Grandpa at the same time. And while Grandma may have only been aware for a moment I am sure I saw her smile as Grandma held close their wedding photo as if it were tugging at his heart.

Helping of all of us walk through the pain Alzheimer’s can bring is heart wrenching. But offering a sympathy gift during the holidays can help heal and mean hearts.

Memorial Gifts...How Can You Choose What To Give?

A memorial is a time to pause and reflect upon a life that was lived. It is a time to seek and look for all that was good in the precious life that was lived. A memorial is also a celebration of life. It is a time to rejoice and remember. A memorial gift can help keep those memories close to ones heart. It can help heal, bring joy, and continue the celebration of a person’s life. There are many different types of memorial gifts one can give. Here are some ideas and tips when giving a memorial gift to celebrate a loved one’s life for all of time.

*Choose a gift that reflects the person who has passed away. Sympathy Gifts for Men can be simple. If he loved fishing then a fishing photo personalized with his name would be a wonderful gift for a family member.

*Choose a gift that can be well used and often remembered. A blanket can be an everyday item but a blanket personalized with the date of life to death of a favorite grandmother will become a cherished item and not just a blanket.

*Remember those who are sometimes forgotten. Children can have a hard time expressing their emotions when death comes. A gift basket that is filled with items that reflects the person who has passed away is a great way to show love to the child and also respect for the lost. It is fun for kids to go through a gift basket and discuss how the items remind them of the person who is no longer in their lives.

*Memorial gifts should be positive. All life ends at some point. Seek to give an inspirational gift that encourages and focuses on the good. Prayers, poems, and inspirational messages coupled with beautiful artwork can do wonders for a grieving heart. There are many different items that can fill this need and constantly be a reminder of the life that was lived.

*Include a personal message. If you are not sure what to say than buy a book that helps one walk through the stages of grief. And write a small note on the inside. Actions as always speak louder than words.

There are just a few hints when choosing a memorial gift to celebrate your loved one!

Sorrow Can Be Devastating. What Can You Do

You tell yourself to hold your tongue, to buck up, and keep your eyes on the prize. But you can’t, not like this. Why, of all people did it have to be you? You’re not too bad of a person, so as soon as you have silently told yourself not to; you start to cry.

It’s unfair really, you have looked back, checked and rechecked the past and nothing you did deserves this. The pain is something you haven’t felt before, the tears have come and gone, and yet the emptiness it still there, like a gaping hole in a water balloon. The feeble attempts you exert to patch the hole, the bigger it seems to get. No comforting word, not an action of love can end it. What you have lost is bigger than you, bigger than anyone. What can you do? Stay in this barren wasteland of eternal sadness?

You have two options here, and what you do, will not only change you, but the others around you. You may not know, but you are always watched, thinking you act for yourself, and your sadness it unfelt by loved ones and neighbors is a selfish thought. Back to your choices, you can drop yourself and let this sadness destroy you from the inside out, or breathe.

Let me tell you this, friend, brother, neighbor, it’s not too late, by locking arms and marching to a common goal you shall survive. Humans are civil creatures and to leave a brother behind is not something to be taken lightly. So, it is time to stand and fight the sorrow that has held your heart in clamped, wrinkled hands. Whether you have lost a loved one, hope, or Jerry your dog the world can be one to kick you when you’re down and yet the people of this world will be standing, waiting, for your eyes to lift up, and you hands to extend, and your voice to call out for help.

The goodness in people is like the wind, you can’t see it, but you feel it, and you see the effects of the wind, and but the time you have opened you eyes to see the people surrounding you, you’ll understand, they have bathed you in their love by the gifts of sympathy,  physical and not. A gift given in love is something more precious than any amount to glamour and allure sent by the unfeeling.

Let yourself be loved, and lift up your face.

What To Give a Grieving Friend?

Flowers have traditionally been the most common sympathy gifts people have given to those who are hurting or mourning.  And granted, flowers are beautiful but they do not last, in fact they will shrivel up and die.  Furthermore, many people are allergic to flowers and or have small children or animals and have to be careful of falling petals. 

While a note is an always welcomed sympathy gift the traditional card carries sadness about it.  So if flowers and cards seem gloomy what can a person do for someone who is hurting? Here are some creative ideas to let someone know you care about them but in a positive encouraging way.

The first thing you can do is pray for that person.  This costs nothing and yet means everything.   Do not be afraid to let the person you know you care.  One of the biggest mistakes people make when a loved one or friend are going through a time of grieving is staying away.  It is hard to know what to do when a person is experiencing a tough difficult season or has experienced a tragedy in their lives but keep be persistent in your care and love for that person.

Find the good in the bad.  Find something about the person that has passed away people remember.  For instance, if your grandpa passed away and everyone knew he loved dark chocolate, fill a basket full of a variety of dark chocolates.  Choose different brands, different varieties, and shapes.   You can’t go wrong with chocolate and food will be welcomed by those who are grieving.  We all need fuel and energy during hard times.

When I think of apple pie I can’t help but think of my grandmother.  So when she died we bought apple trees for each of the children.  It made all of us feel better and even happier years later when the trees began producing fruit. 

Giving the family a personalized sympathy gift may be one of the best gifts ever to give.  A blanket with a special photo on it, a stuffed animal with a message, a Bible verse with the name of the person who died, and the list goes on of ideas.

Instead of a card give a poem or a letter sharing memories you have of the person who died.  It will be much appreciated and mean a lot to the family and friends left behind.

Take these ideas and expand on them, be creative and share in the hurt for then you will add some joy in the midst of a storm.