When I lost my son to suicide in April of 2019 the ‘firsts’ of all the holidays are hard to endure. As Christmas approached I had a nagging problem. Christmas stockings are more important in our home than the presents. It has been a family tradition for over 50 years to be very creative in what fills each stocking. Sometimes mundane like a can of band-aids, all the way to the smallest of gifts thoughtfully chosen. I couldn't stand the thought of not hanging Gage's stocking, leaving it empty, filling it and then my having to empty it. There seemed no solution.
I thought on this for a time and decided to reach out to people Gage had worked with and friends. I asked them to write a memory or anything they wanted to share about Gage on a slip of paper. So many kind souls responded and we put all the slips in Gage's stocking. We sat together on Christmas morning and read each one. Tears flowed freely. All memories have resided in Gage's stocking since then and I re-read them by candle light each Christmas Eve.
Last spring a little boy in my Granddaughter Saoirse's class was tragically hit while riding his bike and died. I was thinking of James and his mother as the season approached and I decided to stitch a stocking for James to give to his mother. A tiny stocking, just the size to hang on a Christmas tree or off a knob. Saoirse and her Mom will deliver the stocking this week.
Sharing a picture of Gage, his gravestone, and the meaning behind why I chose the deer.
My thoughts have continued flowing and I decided the stockings would be a wonderful fundraiser for Suicide Prevention. We are pleased to offer ‘Stockings for Gage’ from his Birthday, Dec 5th through Christmas. Two designers, Guilia Manfredini from Italy and Wendy (From the Heart) both agreed to design a stocking pattern to be offered during this time. Two other friends, my daughter Mariah and myself also designed some stockings. The patterns are available at our Etsy shop for purchase.
In addition, Bobbie from Stitching Bits and Bobs designed a deer thread keep from the image off Gage's tombstone at his grave. Bobbie donated all the thread keeps at no cost for this fundraiser. Donations will be sent to Friends for Survival in California. Family members who lose someone to suicide are more at risk for suicide themselves. We have greatly appreciated their efforts to offer support and spread awareness of mental health in communities both near and far. If stocking sales exceed our hoped amount to raise, we will also donate to local groups who help with suicide prevention.
The meaning behind the carved image of the deer: "Deer represent all Christian values of honor, love, kindness, mercy, grace and forgiveness. The Deer as a spirit Animal represents a gentle and compassionate person. One who chooses peace and kindness. Deer as a totem animal belongs to those who shine the light so others may find their way home. South American and Southwestern Tribes both considered the deer as sacred, as an ancient caretaker of Mother Earth. Deer teach us to be gentle, to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are in our lives. Don't push people to change, rather gently nudge them in the right direction, with the love that comes from deer. The balance of true power lays in love and compassion" The leaves coming off the Deer's Antlers represent Gage's love of gardening. I feel all of this truly speaks of the greatness of Gage's soul and I hope he is pleased with what I chose. The words on the back of his gravestone are: "It is Well With My Soul."
