What to do with loss related items?

julesverne

I have Jack's blanket from the NICU/PICU (with a small spot of his blood on it) and a tattered black turtleneck that I wore once when I held him and I wore it to his funeral.

The turtleneck has holes all over it, but for some reason I don't have the heart to get rid of it (am I crazy for keeping it?)

Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do with the blanket and shirt? Right now that blanket is sitting in a plastic bag (along with some other clothing I had bought for him).  I would like to do something with the items but I don't know what.

Thanks. 

Auki13

I am looking for a perfect "chest" for all of Annabelle's things.  I know there are a few women who have done that on here.  I just can't seem to find something big enough that I really like.  If you have those two things (and a few other small items), I am sure you could find a really nice one.  There are even some that are decorate/engraved for you if you look online.  

And nom you are not crazy at all for keeping it.  It is one of your few memories of Jack and it helps you remember your little boy.  I have kept anything and everything that has anything to do with Annabelle (including all the hospital paperwork, etc...) and I love going back and looking at it all.  It helps bring back my memories with her. 

eroplane

You could make quilt squares from both items and add some coordinating fabric to make a memorial quilt. I have never quilted but my grandma tells me that it just takes time. 

There are also patterns available to make stuffed animals (bunnies and bears) from memorial fabrics. I think I have even seen a website that you send in your fabric and they make the stuffed animal for you. I'll try and find it.

Big hugs. 

dexnmav

My hospital gives hand painted "memory" hat-boxes to, well, I guess those of us that only have memories to take home. It's just big enough to hold everything we kept. I may keep everything in that box, someone, probably like me, donated her time to paint the box, but I haven't made any decisions. 

julesverne

I do have other items related to Jack (hospital bracelets, a pacifier they cut to fit around his vent tube), I was just looking for something that could be made using the fabric. I like the idea of the quilt..I just need to learn how to sew

jbranden12

We found a beautiful pink box at Tuesday Morning that is big enough to put Patricia's things in. It holds her blankets, a memory book I made, all of the cards she got at her baby shower and after she became an angel, my positive pregnancy test, and finally a smaller box they gave us at the hospital that has a cast of her feet, her bracelets, her hair, and the white flower they put on our door while I was delivering her.

You are not crazy for wanting to keep the turtleneck. I purposely put on a necklace that I love when we took pictures with Patricia in the hospital. There's something about being able to have something physically that I can see in pictures with her, and I knew I would wear this necklace all the time. I really like the idea of having it made into something!

ClaudiaStar21

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I lost my son's twin very early on, so I'm not on this board but I saw your post and wanted to let you know about Lovable Memory Bears. The lady makes teddy bears out of loved ones clothes or fabric. I have had a few ones made over the years from grandparents clothes. They are so nice and high quality. just wanted to mention in case you want to look into it.