I keep photos of the thousands of cranes folded and left as part of the memorial at the small Episcopal church that survived 9/11 beside my sink. I see them every morning, even now, 20 years later. I had no idea this would become one of my golden threads through leukemia now. I’m so in love.
Last year my husband and two kids gave me an "Easy Button," one of those cheep gifts you give your boss or bring to a white elephant party. You're supposed to press it and then it says, "That was easy." At first I thought it was some kind of joke but when I pressed it instead of the standard line, I heard laughter and my children's voices. The previous year we lost our 20-month-old son Aiden to brain cancer. This was a recording of all three of my children playing together. It is the best gift I have ever received.
Suleika, I listened to your book over the summer and was so moved by your story and how you have chosen to share your creativity since. I am sending you love and healing during this time.
I love this. Recently, my mother moved in with me. She is 93 years young. We had been writing letters for years. One of the things she found, and tucked into her mirror, was a paper crane that I folded & tucked into a letter. I was very touched that she still had it! I’ve saved all of her letters. Her words express her artistry as well as her other creations! Love you, Suleika!
While I have received many memorable gifts, one very thoughtful one stands out.
When I was a child, we traveled to Indiana regularly to visit my maternal Grandparents. I loved seeing my grandmothers’s pretty secretary desk. It has glass doors at the top with wood carvings in the corners of the glass. The desk has three bottom drawers and a fold out writing desk. Inside the desk are two tiny drawers and several slots for cards and envelopes. Above this section, behind the glass are two shelves.
Much of the vacations were spent alternating between the two shelves. One contained the Bobbsey Twins series. I loved reading about the adventures of Bert and Nan and Freddie and Flossie.
The other shelf contained all the Nancy Drew mystery stories. Curling up in a chair as Nancy solved case after case with her trusted friends, was a highlight of my childhood vacations.
My grandmother promised me that beautiful desk all those years ago and it graces my living room today. A few years ago, my son gave me a set of the Nancy Drew books for my desk. I was so tickled to place those books on the shelves and make the desk the way it was meant to be; ready for another young visitor to be enthralled with Nancy’s stories. This gift was so memorable because it touched my child heart and brought back so many memories of those happy times in my grandmother’s home. It also was memorable because it was a profound illustration that my son had listened to my memories and sought to re-create them.
The origami paper cranes! I folded 1000 and don’t know what to do with them, so I randomly put them, one at a time, inside cards or gifts as an extra bonus. They sit waiting. Love how Marie’s friends strung them for her. I adore gifting but there is never a method. Sending ❤️.
I swim almost daily in the ocean and when I am “pau” Hawaiian for done I float. I pray for healing for anyone I know who is dealing with cancer Suleika I hold you in this float. Aloha🌸🌴💕
I keep photos of the thousands of cranes folded and left as part of the memorial at the small Episcopal church that survived 9/11 beside my sink. I see them every morning, even now, 20 years later. I had no idea this would become one of my golden threads through leukemia now. I’m so in love.
Last year my husband and two kids gave me an "Easy Button," one of those cheep gifts you give your boss or bring to a white elephant party. You're supposed to press it and then it says, "That was easy." At first I thought it was some kind of joke but when I pressed it instead of the standard line, I heard laughter and my children's voices. The previous year we lost our 20-month-old son Aiden to brain cancer. This was a recording of all three of my children playing together. It is the best gift I have ever received.
Suleika, I listened to your book over the summer and was so moved by your story and how you have chosen to share your creativity since. I am sending you love and healing during this time.
I love this. Recently, my mother moved in with me. She is 93 years young. We had been writing letters for years. One of the things she found, and tucked into her mirror, was a paper crane that I folded & tucked into a letter. I was very touched that she still had it! I’ve saved all of her letters. Her words express her artistry as well as her other creations! Love you, Suleika!
Most Memorable Gift I have Been Given
While I have received many memorable gifts, one very thoughtful one stands out.
When I was a child, we traveled to Indiana regularly to visit my maternal Grandparents. I loved seeing my grandmothers’s pretty secretary desk. It has glass doors at the top with wood carvings in the corners of the glass. The desk has three bottom drawers and a fold out writing desk. Inside the desk are two tiny drawers and several slots for cards and envelopes. Above this section, behind the glass are two shelves.
Much of the vacations were spent alternating between the two shelves. One contained the Bobbsey Twins series. I loved reading about the adventures of Bert and Nan and Freddie and Flossie.
The other shelf contained all the Nancy Drew mystery stories. Curling up in a chair as Nancy solved case after case with her trusted friends, was a highlight of my childhood vacations.
My grandmother promised me that beautiful desk all those years ago and it graces my living room today. A few years ago, my son gave me a set of the Nancy Drew books for my desk. I was so tickled to place those books on the shelves and make the desk the way it was meant to be; ready for another young visitor to be enthralled with Nancy’s stories. This gift was so memorable because it touched my child heart and brought back so many memories of those happy times in my grandmother’s home. It also was memorable because it was a profound illustration that my son had listened to my memories and sought to re-create them.
The origami paper cranes! I folded 1000 and don’t know what to do with them, so I randomly put them, one at a time, inside cards or gifts as an extra bonus. They sit waiting. Love how Marie’s friends strung them for her. I adore gifting but there is never a method. Sending ❤️.
I swim almost daily in the ocean and when I am “pau” Hawaiian for done I float. I pray for healing for anyone I know who is dealing with cancer Suleika I hold you in this float. Aloha🌸🌴💕