HOME ABOUT THE BOOK ABOUT THE AUTHOR EXCERPTS PRESERVING MEMORIES SPEAKING PRESS CENTER EMAIL JONI

Grief is a long process, and not an easy one. Always remember: You are not alone! There have been many before you, and there will be many that come through grief after you survive it. And you will survive.

An important part of your survival will be finding ways to preserve your loved one’s memory that will, at the same time, help you carry on in a positive way.

Here are a few suggestions from Joni:

Make a memory box. You will need:
A shadow box—whatever size corresponds with the pattern that you want to use.
Background material—Used for the bottom of the shadow box. I used decorative paper, but you can also use wrapping paper or cloth.
“Mementos” in jewelry from your loved one or from your own jewelry box. These should include hearts and other things that remind you of that person in some way. For instance, if they liked horses, include horses.
A pattern to follow—I suggest either a cross or heart, but you can use your imagination.
Wire cutters—for cutting the backs off of pins and earrings, or links off of bracelets.
Glue (use a general purpose glue that dries clear)

Start by gluing the background material to the back or bottom of the shadow box. Next, center the pattern and glue it down. Or if you prefer, you can just draw the pattern from a stencil or freehand. While the glue is setting up, start preparing the jewelry you want to use. After the glue is dry, experiment with laying out the jewelry on the pattern. This can be done in whatever random order you like. Once you have a general arrangement in mind, start gluing the jewelry to the pattern piece by piece. Try to stay within the lines of the pattern with your pieces.

Journal. Sometimes the best therapy is getting your thoughts and feelings down on paper. Journaling is a great way to work through the grieving process. Journal as traditional daily diary entries, letters to your lost loved ones, or any other creative way that helps you express what you are thinking and feeling at a given time.

Create a scrapbook online. Put away the scissors, glue, and other scrapbooking materials! Now you can create your own photo books online, without covering your dining room table in supplies. Just go to a site like Snapfish.com, Winkflash.com, or Mypublisher.com, upload your photos, and create your own personalized photo book. It is a great way to spend time looking through old photos while creating a wonderful way to memorialize your loved one.


	Excerpt from The Broken Shell, by Joni James Aldrich
		Not unlike humans in tough times, when grieving breaks their stride. Their broken shell can be repaired with loving care and restored pride. A purpose found and cause renewed can be our human lifeline, too. But not unlike the broken shell we’ll drift until we make it through.
	“The beach was swept away by the twin forces of violent wind and waves. Days later, piles of broken shells were deposited onto the shore. Nature had begun the rebuilding process. This is much the same as the process we undergo when rebuilding our lives after suffering the catastrophic loss of someone we love…”

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I hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson