A friend of ours, who went to junior and senior high school with John and me (way back in 1968-1974), is a talented seamstress. She made these teddy bears for me out of John’s flannel shirts. She did them for us as a labor of love… she’d never tried making teddy bears before. They came out beautifully, don’t you think?
Four will go to his grandchildren. I’m keeping the purple one on the end for myself. (I’d initially thought I’d keep the red one, but I really liked the way John looked in that purple plaid shirt.)
I posted the pictures earlier today in an on-line support group for people whose spouses suicided; the response was immediate and it looks like Terry will be making quite a few teddy bears once the holidays are over.
The bears are about 16″ high with fully movable joints; the cost is only $25.00 each, which includes shipping & handling. Contact me and I’ll connect you with Terry.
I have to admit to feeling somewhat selfish about the bears… I don’t really want to give up even a single one to the grandchildren…. Not because I don’t want the kids to have the bears (I most certainly do want each of the children to have this little piece of their Papa), but because I want to keep them all for myself.
But gift them I will, of course.
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In memory of my beloved husband John Kelly Snyder… 20 Sept 1956 – 21 Oct 2016.
The Warrior Project is a warm, welcoming drop-in center for those living with extreme emotional and/or physical pain coupled with hopelessness, and a resource for families and friends fearing for the life of, or grieving the loss of, the person they love so much.
My Johnny was a true warrior, fighting demons no one else could see. I thought he was the strongest man in the world, and perhaps he was, but tragically, the demons got the better of him.
The name of this project is in no way intended to be reflective of, or piggy back off, Wounded Warriors which serves those wounded after September 11, 20o1. Like too many others, John was a warrior long before then.
Fair winds and following seas, Husband.
The Grief Warrior Project 