Today, Sugarwings lost her other grandmother. Unexpectedly, suddenly, and sadly. A simple surgery last week, that had supposedly gone well, turned into sepsis that took her in a matter of hours.
No one has told our little fairy baby yet. Would she even understand at 3, what all of this means? For now, her Mommy has been staying with us, we spent the early morning hours at the hospital in case we were needed for support. But honestly, what can you do? Me, I feed people. I made a big breakfast when we got back to the house.
And what else can I do? For me, making things helps. I had planned a craft day with good friends and decided to keep our plans. Sugarwing's "Nanny" had once given me a bag full of colorful feathers from a dear bird she had loved. So, today's projects made use of the feathers in honor of her.
Using pom poms spritzed with Glimmer Mist, and the feathers that Nanny had carefully saved, I made this parrot to give to our sad little Hippie Chick. Not that she needs a memento of her mom to remember her, not that she is in the mood for holiday decorations, but I guess because it meant something to me. I had Sugarwings make a bird for her with the feathers too, for me, hands on cooking or making something shows love. And creating something with Sugarwings is even more so.
I'll leave you with a few photos of the birds I made today.
Good bye, Nanny. Your daughter and your fairy grand baby will miss you.
I am so sorry for your family.My sympathy to all.
Diane
I’m so terribly sorry for your family’s loss.
So sorry to hear this sad news Karla.
I’m so so sorry for your loss, most especially at this time of year. Your bird is such a sweet tribute to her, and I’m sure will mean a lot to your little “hippie chick”.
I’ll keep your family in my prayers.
Sandra
So sorry to hear this. Will be praying for you all.
I am so very sorry for your unexpected loss. Very sad for all of you. I know you are a comfort in this time of loss.
My prayers are with you all.
And Karla, do what you do best. Nurture and continue to make memories. Something tells me that Nanny is looking down on those she loves and is encouraging you to make happiness bloom where tragedy once lived.
Love,
Dawn
Oh Karla, I am so sorry for your loss. Sugarwings will understand as children are much more perceptive than we give them credit for. I lost my grandmother 24 years ago this past Friday the 18th. I have some of her last Christmas tags to me on my Christmas tree as a reminder but your birdies made with her feathers of love are more precious than gold!!
Blessed be Karla, you are in my thoughts
Oh Karla, I am so sorry to hear this. Losing someone is always hard, but when it is unexpected is even harder.
I love the piece you created on with the glittered star and bird on the wood! That is so sweet.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. What great birds to remember Nanny.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful birds and they are so special because of the lovingly shared feathers. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family during this sad time.
Oh, that is so sad. My little guy lost his grandpa (my father) suddenly when he was just under 2. Of course, he didn’t understand. I just make sure to talk to him about my father, and remind him of how much he (grandpa) loved him. It will be trying for Sugarwing’s mommy but it’s something we all go through. I love your tribute to her — crafting the birds with her feathers.
Karla
I’ve said a prayer for you & the family. May you all find peace in this difficult time. Hugs to sugarwings
Nerissa
Karla,
My heart aches for your family — especially your daughter-in-law. A loss is hard enough but especially this time of year.
My older brother was killed, suddenly and unexpectedly, when I was Sugarwings age. I think I must have blocked out being told — my memory runs long and deep — but I do recall knowing he got his wings, flew to heaven and I would be with him again when I got mine.
Many, many years later, I still believe that Karla.
Deborah
Oh! Oh, how sad for Sugarwings, and all the family. It is always tragic to lose loved ones, especially during the Christmas season.
And yet, that same season gives extra hope for a reunion hereafter. May she now smile and help watch over Sugarwings and all her family from beyond the veil. And may your family, both near and those of us afar, offer the right words of comfort that you, Sugarwings, and all saddened may feel enveloped in love, even heavenly joy.
* hugs *
Just wanted to say that I too am sorry for your loss. A loss of someone so special this close to the holiday is even more tragic than usual, and I pray that your family will be lifted up through the season.
It was so sweet what you did to honor ‘nanny’ today.
Oh how sad, I am sorry for your loss hippy chick, Karla, and the little fairy. She looked like a really sweet lady. My gosh how do you tell a 3 year old when suddenly there not there anymore? May God guide you and lead you sweet lady. I will say a prayer for you all. Warm regards, Pearl
I am so sorry for all of you, especially hippie chick and sugarwings… She wont understand really yet other than where is she? My thoughts and prayers go out to your family! karen….
Oh my goodness, how awful. I am so very sorry for all of you Karla. My heart goes out to hippie chick and sugarwings. The pictures of her are so beautiful. I will be praying for all of you.
Love,
Amy
Oh Karla, I am so sorry for your family’s loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jen
Dear Karla, I am so sorry for the loss of sweet Nanny. What a blessing you are.God Bless all of you.
So sorry. What a hard time of year too. I cook too, my prayers are with you too.
I’m so sorry for Sugarwings and her mother. It’s so hard when someone dies suddenly. It’s especially hard when one is as young as the hippie chick.
~elaine~
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of “Nanny”. She looks like a lovely person. I know you will ensure that little Sugarwings will have a joyful Christmas in spite of your family’s loss.
Karla I’m so sorry for Hippie Chick and Sugarwings. They are much too young to have lost someone so special to them. You will be of great comfort to them in the coming days.
Xo
Oh, Karla, that is so sad. I’m so sorry for Sugarwings and all of your family. Your tribute to Nanny is really heartfelt and sweet.
I’m so sorry to hear about Nanny. I love how you like to help by doing things with your hands, and your creation is a lovely tribute to her. xo
So, so sad, Karla. I have no words except that I am truly sorry for dear little Sugarwings and her mom. You are a jewel and they will need you for support right now.
Take care and God bless.
Kathy
Thinking of you and those you love, Karla.
My thoughts are with you and your family Karla , it hits home hard for me right now , I just lost my mother two weeks ago , poor Hippie Chick , my heart goes out to her. I love what you do and i wish I could be there for a big breakfast at yours and create beautiful birds . I have done a lot of cooking and creating this last couple of weeks too , it puts you in a special place and it is very therapeutic. Donna xo
I am so sorry Karla for your loss… poor little sugarwings and her Mama. What a shock for their family. Thinking of you all this Christmas.
xo Heather
I am so Karla, I will be thinking of sugar wings and her mama. Love Clarice
Karla, I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. I know you will have the strength to help little Sugarwings and her mom through this and give them them all the support they need.
Love Karen
So very sorry to hear of this loss Karla. What a tough time of year for it to happen as well. I’m sure Nanny will be keeping her eyes on her Hippy Chick and Sugarwings from above. Thoughts and prayers with you and the family.
Karla
Karla: So sorry for your loss.
Oh Karla what a very sad loss for Sugarwings, her Mommy and the entire family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Merry Christmas!
Leann
Karla I was so sorry to see this post this morning. The shock of what has happened has to be terrible for your young DIL. I don’t know what to tell you about sugarwings except that her Nanny has gone up to Heaven. I think at that age there isn’t really much you can explain.
I will still wish you all a very Merry Christmas except now I know it will be tinged with sadness. Life just carries on and that is good.
Hugs and best to all
FredaB
I’m so sorry for your little Sugarwings and her Mama. They’re both so young to have the loss of their Mom and Nanny…doubly tragic at this time of year. Sending prayers for them and the whole family.
Oh, what a tragedy. My heart is full of sadness for you and your family. Know my prayers are being sent for healing and the wonderful memories that will slowly come in place of the pain.
All my love,
Johanna
I am so very sorry for Sugarwing’s and her mama’s loss. They are in my prayers. Such a hard time to lose someone. Karla, you are loving them well!
Hugs,
Lallee
Oh my! I’m so sorry. Life is short and we never know when our time is up. This is so sad. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Expressing your grief through creativity is meaningful.
It’s so hard to loose a love one at any time. But suddenly is even harder. I lost my husband suddenly in Sept. Just remember she will live as long as she is in your heart.They say time helps. Bless you all! Hugs,Terri
Sorry for your loss Karla, and right at christmas time too, thats aweful!!What is sepsis?? I am supposed to have a surgery and would like to know. My kids were little when my aunt passed away a couple years ago and they didn’t understand.Those feathers are so very pretty!
Dear Karla:
I am so sorry to hear this, I know it will be a great loss.
Tell your daughter-in-law, that we will keep the whole family in our prayers.
I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas, even in the midst of this tragic loss.
God Bless,
Deborah Woodrow and Family
This is so sad. I am SO sorry for your loss and right here before Christmas, goodness! My heart is aching for your daughter in law. I lost my BELOVED Mamaw Dillon on Christmas Eve when I was 13 years old. I think I’ve told you in a previous comment that YOU SO remind me of my Mamaw Dillon with all the love and time you devote to your little sugarwings! This is just so sad, Karla. I will be thinking of you and your family, especially your daughter in law and sending many prayers for peace and comfort your way.
God Bless your family.
Milli Wagoner
Karla that is so sad. Poor sugarwings and her Momma. I’ll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm is a good book about death. 3 yr olds don’t quite understand 🙁 Bethany didn’t and still has a hard time with it. Peace to you and your family Karla. The birdies are adorable what a great way to remember her by. Sorry we missed you, Bethany was quite upset. We’ll see you after the holidays I’m sure. It will be about marshmallow time 🙂 hugs friend.
I’m so sorry for your loss- especially at this time of the year. I will be saying a prayer for you and your family that you may all feel comforted by wonderful memories and each other.
I am so sorry for your loss…When the sorrow is over the sweetness will remain, and your precious little birds will be a loving tribute for years to come. May your hearts know the deepest reaches of peace this season as you walk through the tender days ahead of you.
What a terrible loss for you all Karla.
I think your birds are a very beautiful tribute to Sugarwings Grandmother.
I am so, so sorry for this sudden loss, Karla.
xo
Claudia
I am so very very sorry to hear this – my thoughts and prayers to Sugarwings and her mommy.
Susan G
Karla,
I’m so sorry for your loss and wish I could take that sweet dog in. We already have two. It is good you have pictures for the time when Sugarwings will understand. I am sure the cooking and crafts were comfort to the grieving hippie chick.
Hugs,
Suz
Oh Karla…I am so so sorry! Such sad news. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. XO,Jenn
Karla, I’m so very sad to hear this. It’s never easy; at holidays, it’s harder. I know.
I worked for 10 years at a children’s grief center serving kids from age 3 on to young adult. At three, they know. And remembering is important, because they are still so young — things like the special bird, memory boxes, pictures, all that, will matter a great deal now and many moons from now. Many hugs to you all, and wishes for a good Christmas, despite the sad times.
I am so so sorry for your loss…give sw a hug from us!
xoxo, Tiffany
Karla, I’d like to offer my sincere condolences on your loss.