Memory Tie Banner
It was this time last year that I received the tragic news that my childhood friend had been in a boating accident. My weekend calendar was packed with all of the last minute preparations that make up the hectic few days before Christmas; gift shopping, cookie baking, Christmas card addressing, wrapping, twinkle lighting, and movie watching. But all of this became secondary after the first text came through letting me know I needed to call home asap. The following three days were spent amongst family and friends waiting for the heart wrenching, inevitable news that my friend had not been found. Christmas came and went without the usual superficial stresses and instead left us all with a deep, gaping loss and sense of closeness as we mourned a great soul together.
{a simple tradition in memory}
With the first anniversary of my friend's passing upon me, I was left with a lot of anxiety about how to acknowledge this day. I wanted to create a small tradition I could uphold, so after some thought, I decided to start a "Memory Tie Banner."
I sewed a small piece of fabric with decorative stitching to tie onto a length of cotton webbing. This way each year I can take a moment and add another tie, reflecting both on the painful significance of this friend's passing as well as the many years of life ahead that I look forward to experiencing fully while carrying his spirit on.
{I imagine many colorful ties will be added throughout the years}
{this post is dedicated to Barrett Wyles Raymond}