Showing Kindness During This Back To School Season

Mom's usually love shopping with their children for the back to school days. Trying on outfits, getting school supplies, a fun lunch just the girls and maybe even getting that hair cut and pedicure together.
Maybe your children are all grown up but you know of a single dad whose wife has passed away. If you have the little extra to give why not take their son or daughter out for a back to school shopping trip. It doesn't have to cost a fortune to give of your time to make a child feel extra special.
If it's the single mom who has a child at home her finances might be extra tight. Offer to take them both out school shopping or give them a few gift cards to the local store to purchase a few items as well as a gift card for lunch out and even a hair cut.
These simple gifts will go a long way and help a child have a wonderful memory to share of back to school shopping. And it will help out the single parent in many ways.

Respecting the Wishes of the Deceased

There comes a time when we have to discuss with our parents or loved ones their wishes for burial. I considered it a great honor to hold their final wishes in my heart. Tragedies happen all to often and not only are we not given the chance to say goodbye, but we are sometimes left wondering what kind of service, burial or final resting place they would have wanted.
It's difficult to discuss those wishes with those we love but knowing that the last greatest gift you can give them is to honor their requests brings comfort to a broken heart.
Recently we discussed my father's requests for services and burial. He has asked that no public services are held and that his remains are cremated and spread somewhere he enjoyed as a child. While they may not be what I would want for him, these are his wishes and as his daughter I feel it's my duty to honor him this way.
In order to properly respect all the wishes of your love one, store all the papers and directives in one place. It is likely they have an advanced directive, make sure they have filled out exactly what they want medically. Secondly, if they have a preference as to what funeral home they want attending to their body make sure you have the contact information. Depending on burial or cremation make sure you understand where they want to be laid to rest. Many times they may have a spouse or other family cemetery they want to buried in. Note any material processions they want buried with them. Finally have a list of poems, songs or letters they want read at their service.
Store all these papers in a labeled envelope in a file cabinet. Update as needed. This will allow you and your loved one peace of mind and one last thing they need to concern themselves with in their last days.

Sympathy and Social Media

Recently while watching a movie with my family I glanced over facebook on my blackberry. It was at that moment that I saw a post that choked me up. A friend of mine had passed away suddenly the night before. Shocked I ran to the computer and pulled up facebook and her profile to see if this was a joke or true. What I found was touching. She had indeed passed away but the expressions of all her friends as they posted on her wall with memories and prayers was comforting. Her facebook page had become an online memorial service. Friends comforting each other with sweet stories, posts to her saying how much they will miss her. Pictures shared by her friends and family so that all could witness her life. Prayers and comforting words for the family she left behind and a sense of being able to say goodbye.
While I'm not sure facebook is the way I want to find out when someone has died, this social media outlet has had a healing effect for her family as well as for her friends. I've appreciated all the posts and pictures, songs and poems people have shared. Today I will attend her Memorial Service, something a week ago I would not have even considered. I feel prepared to walk in knowing that there are so many people who loved her.

Holly Davis was 35 years old when she passed away. She will be missed.

Expressing Your Sympathy When The Boss Dies

Sympathy Gift Baskets

How does one express sympathy to the family of your boss when they pass away? Many times the employees do not have a close relationship to the boss, yet the untimely passing leaves a huge gap that is not easily filled.
The first thing to do is respect the wishes of the immediate family. If you have been invited to the memorial service it is polite to attend. Many times in larger corporations representatives from each department or branch are asked to attend. In this case one person should come to represent the group and could bring a gift or card signed by each member they are representing.
If you have fond memories of the person it is also acceptable to send a card with the representative for the family expressing your sympathy and your memories.
No one enjoys going to funerals, but when it is requested that employees attend going to show the family your support is important. While the person may have just been your boss, he or she is also someones close family member and seeing supporters does bring a small level of comfort.

Sympathy Charms

About a year ago I came across these unique sympathy charms. This is a beautiful way to give a sympathy gift or keepsake to a friend or family member. These charms caught my eye because of the detail that can be seen and the precious memories that can be forever etched in silver or gold.

These gifts are perfect for children who have lost a grandparent, parent or friend. A beautiful gift for a widow who has lost her spouse.

A beautiful memorial piece that will be cherished for many years and generations to come.

Grieving from Afar.

Offering your sympathy and condolences when a family member of a friend or an acquaintance passes away in another state or country is a natural act of love and empathy. Letting he or she know that you are there for them is often times all that is needed to show you care. For very close friends and acquaintances some choose to send a gift of support such as a sympathy gift basket or a contribution of flowers for the services. But what do you do when a family member or friend that you share a special friendship or bond with passes away and you find yourself living in another location far away and circumstances are such that you are not able to travel to attend the funeral services? Many find themselves in this agonizing situation with obstacles such as work, family obligations and other commitments that interfere with their ability to attend the funeral.

Fortunately for those who find themselves in this situation there is now a solution that is readily available, easy to set up, and a blessing for many. Online funerals are a direct result of modern technology and the information super highway that keeps us all connected no matter where our location or what our situation.

Many funeral homes are now offering this service. The family of the departed may choose to offer this service and find it acceptable but it is also wise to check with the clergyman who will officiate the ceremony as they sometimes may consider this to be inappropriate. If such a service is acceptable the family can begin to make the necessary arrangements and notifications of the day and time of the service. If you will be attending an online funeral you will want to pay particular attention to the necessary time zones so that you do not find yourself missing the service due the hourly difference in the time zones.

Once the services are ready to get underway you will be required to log in to the memorial home's company website and tune into the live web cast. There you will be able to observe the service just as if you were sitting in the audience and in actual attendance. This funeral option is an ever evolving service that will very soon allow you to interact live in real time with those in attendance. With such real time technology one might be able to personally offer condolences, support, or even give a eulogy for the deceased! Whatever the situation those who find themselves unable to attend a funeral will be ever grateful for this advanced and very loving alternative to show they care.

Please enjoy the informative and brief video that highlights the many benefits on online funeral planning or attendance.

Patriot Guards also Known as Operation Patriotic Shield

I was listening to the radio station this morning when the local news told of a story of the Operation Patriotic Shield. I was intrigued and listened.
I was aware of the protests that have been happening at military funerals. While they saddened me deeply, I wasn't sure what I could do to help. This is where Operation Patriotic Shield comes in. Normal every day people like you and I come in with flags and posters thanking the family for the service and sacrifice of their loved one. These people, everyday citizens, line the funeral route to overwhelm the protesters. It's kind of like a human shield of honor.
Stephanie Williams of the Kansas City Examiner wrote an amazing article that shows how important this is.

If your interested in knowing more or participating in a local ceremony check out the Political Chips website or Operation Payback. Both sites are updated often. There is also a facebook group called Operation Patriotic Shield that you can friend.