Sooo I don’t talk about this very much (ever?), but I lost my dad to diabetes over 11 years ago. It was the first loss I had ever experienced, and it was life-changing.
My dad wasn’t the most verbally expressive man, but when I graduated from college, he wrote me a letter (two sides!) telling me how much he loved me and how proud of me he was. Needless to say, it is my most prized possession.
A few weeks ago, Stephanie from GeeZees Canvas stepped into my life at the perfect moment. I was starting to worry about the letter’s fragility, and she sent me the letter he had written. On canvas. In the shape of a heart. Does it get any better?
I’ve moved it all over the place trying to find the perfect spot, but I’m actually enjoying placing it around the house. Because even 11 years later, any small glimpse of that letter brings a smile to my face.
I should be clear that Stephanie did not ask for my post today. She provided me with the canvas, and I just think there’s a lot to be said about a company who makes it their business to preserve memories in a creative and touching way.
If you’ve ever experienced loss, you know that even 11 years can still feel like 1 year. I’m so thankful that GeeZees was able to help me put a glimpse into my dad’s heart in my home. Thank you, Stephanie!
Latest posts by Chris (see all)
- Party Beverage Bag - December 31, 2018
- Favorite Things 2018 - November 18, 2018
- Home Office Reveal - November 10, 2018
Chris, thanks for sharing this. I was just thinking that 11 years probably seems like yesterday. I’m finding that with life these days. I love wonderfully, meaningful art – just beautiful. My dad has Alzheimer’s (I also just recently wrote about this) and was just diagnosed with diabetes a couple years ago. It is definitely life-changing to lose someone that is close to you. Although we still have my dad physically, we are losing him more and more each day. I hope to find a way to honor and remember him in my home. What a beautiful tribute to your dad (and you).
Beautiful! What a special way to display the letter 🙂 So sorry about your dad. My husband has type 1 diabetes as well as my dad (type 2). It’s so difficult to manage.
THAT is awesome. For someone whose love language is words of affirmation I would love to have something my dad wrote done like that. I lost my dad in 2005.
Thanks for sharing and for telling us about GeeZees!
Wow! What an awesome gift! This is so special. Made me cry!
What a great story. Heartwarming to hear people like that exist. With so much yuck in the world it was a nice way to start the day. Thank you!!
Oh thank you, Lynda! It’s always good to hear a heartwarming story–I agree. Have a wonderful weekend!
What a special work of art that I know you will treasure forever, not to mention how beautiful the art itself is.
What a sweet way to preserve this for you.
That is so amazingly special. I can’t wait to check out her store! How sweet that you have your dad’s letter preserved like that.
This totally made me cry! What a precious gift your dad gave you with that letter. I love it on the canvas – what a perfect way to display it. Every girl should be so lucky to have a dad like that who tells them how much he loves them.
And now you’re making me cry! You’re right–I consider myself blessed to have it. 🙂
thanks so much for this great post; my Dad died suddenly at age 56 in 1971. i still have the ladle and spatula from a set of kitchenware he bought (and wrapped) to give me for Christmas that year; he died on Dec 1. i love having reminders of him and his life and wish i had a letter like yours, BUT, i have my ladle and spatula.
That is such a great story, June. My dad passed on December 6th, so–like you–Christmas is definitely a present reminder of that loss. I love that you still have something so meaningful! Thank you for sharing.
Wow! I lost my dad last year, after he had had a long wonderful life. still miss him! What a treasure this is for you! just beautiful!
I saw you way back at Haven. It inspired me to start The Blog Sisters. Hope you’ll check it out and consider joining.
http://www.theblogsisters.com
All the best,
Barbara
I’m so sorry, Barbara. Loss is so horrible, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing your blog link! I will go visit!
As another daughter who has lost her Daddy I agree that even though time passes, the hurt is still deep. My dad was also a man of few words and I cherish the handwritten items I have from him. Thank you for sharing this! So touching!
And if he was anything like my dad—he may not have said much, but his actions and emotions spoke volumes about how he was feeling! Hugs to you, Sandy!
This just made me feel like I was going to cry!! How beautiful is this?? I love it so much and such a lovely tribute to have with you always.
You’re so sweet, Jocelyn! Thank you!
That is really really awesome. How neat that you now have that on canvas. Sending you hugs today!
Thank you so much, Jill!
Teary eyes here…so glad ZeeGees could keep those memories from crumbling away for you. I have a letter that my mother wrote me on my wedding day that is sadly getting to the same shape. I would love to have it done. Thanks for sharing something so touching and close to your heart 🙂
Thank you, Kristy! When it’s one of the only tangible things left, you tend to take extra special care of it, you know? I can’t recommend GeeZees enough. I know how much she treasures memories. I hope you can find something to preserve that letter!
Sorry…I spelled it backwards 🙁
What a beautiful keepsake! I lost my dad over thirty five years ago (I was 13 years old) and I still think about him often. I wish I had a treasure like the letter you have. What a wonderful gift he gave you! Enjoy and thank you for sharing it with us. ~Linda
Thank you, Linda! Amazing how one little letter can turn into something so treasured, eh? I’m sorry for your loss. 35 years is still not enough time.
I Love the way you have now eternalized the letter…..I can relate My Dad passed away 25 years ago at my Wedding reception and it seems like yesterday! My grandson (6 years old was just diagnosed with type 1 Juvenile Diabetes) and that sucks so I can relate………..what a wonderful idea to capture your letter and display it where it can be seen!!!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Oh Laurie, that took my breath away. How devastating. I’m so sorry. Diabetes (type 1 and 2) runs pretty rampant in my family, so I have a deep hatred for it. 🙁 Thank you for sharing that. My thoughts are certainly with your little grandson! 🙂
Your words touched my heart, and I pray the peace of God over you. I lost my dad this July and some days I just want to scream. But I have great memories and am grateful. I wish I had a keepsake like yours that was awesome of your dad to let you know his love runs deep for you. What a great way to display his love for you, you are blessed. Thanks so much for sharing your memories.
K. Smith
I’m so sorry, Kresendo. It’s a horrible loss, for sure. Unfortunately, 11 years later and I can still relate to it. I’m sending positive thoughts your way, and I appreciate your kind words!
I am at a loss for words with this post honey, but I am so grateful your dad left you that wonderful letter. He truly loved you so much. You have dad’s personality down pat. He was a man of few words but would always be there for you. I was crying at each person’s remarks of their own loss. It really touched my heart. I cherish how much you love your dad! Mom
Hi Chris, I have been following your blog for awhile now but haven’t commented until now. My Mom died 7 years ago when my oldest child was a baby. Just the other day I was going through my kid’s books & found a book she had given me when I was pregnant. On the inside cover she had written the words to a lullaby she’d sang to me when I was a baby. After she’d given me the book, her disease progressed & her writing became illegible. The inscription in the book I found is the last thing she wrote to me that I am able to read. I was in tears after reading the words to the song & have been thinking since about how I could somehow display it. Thank you for sharing your story in this post & passing on this idea!
Having just lost my dad a short week ago … I know how special that letter was to you! What a beautiful way to display it!
Hugs,
Bj
When I saw this the other day I knew it would be perfect for the letters my Mom left behind before she passed away almost exactly 8 years ago. I emailed this page and the GeeZees link to my sister immediately. I am the type that tries to live in denial so I’ve only read my letter a few times since but I went home and read it (and broke down!lol). I now have it scanned and ready for someone to pick out the important parts of the letter so I can order me a canvas – it’s not something I can do living in denial! I will have one created for each of my children with the letters my mom left them as well. This is going to mean so much to us. Thanks for posting your canvas and the link!