Ava’s Tree {Part 3}
So I know it was supposed to be a Christmas inspired exercise right? An ornament for our Xmas tree in honor of Ava? I seem to recall something like that…but, truth be told, our Xmas tree quickly became our “Ava tree” and it still stands proudly in the lounge room with no signs of going anywhere.
I’ll also admit, I was not remotely prepared for the response we got when asking for help with this project. I was, and still am, overwhelmed by the hundreds of items that arrived. My fear is by sharing some of those beautiful objects and not all, there could be someone out there feeling left out or unappreciated. Please accept my genuine apology if I haven’t included an image of your ornament or gift here – there really were so, so many that it would take me forever to share them all. I want to do these posts to hopefully show just what this means to us - I will always be truly grateful for the effort so many people went to – the amazing hand made trinkets, the beautiful shop creations people found, the personalized decorations from buntings to dolls, whales and canvases..the heartfelt words, the music boxes, yummy candy and the toys for Ava’s siblings. And so much more.
After Xmas, some ornaments moved to a spot in the window, hanging from feather and felt garlands, where they remain today. It was hard to photograph them well as they’re up quite high but hopefully you get the idea.
Endless thanks, again, from all of us.
S xx
Those are so incredibly beautiful. Every single one of them. You are so very, very blessed. And you are so very, very loved. As is dear Ava.
Love,
Amber
XOXOXOXO
They are all so beautiful. What a wonderful symbol of the love that Ava has created by having the tree and garlands remain.
Oh they are all so beautiful Sheye, and whats more beautiful is that so many people were touched by Ava and hold her in their hearts. She is a shining star in life and beyond, it only seems appropriate to have a tree for her to shine on.
Sara.xx
Sheye~
I am so so happy this turned out so wonderfully for you. Truly, this was the best thing we did after James died to help with celebrating the holidays and keeping James’ memory alive. I am glad I could share it:) I know you now know how theraputic it is. Each and every decoration brings back and represents part of who our Ava&James are. It’s so so difficult to take down my tree every year. I just took it down a week ago. Beautiful photo’s, beautiful tribute, beautiful ornaments. Much love.
MK
xoxoxo
wow sheye – so many beautiful items….annie and i loved being a part of this special project for ava. you were the highlight of our holiday this season because it just meant so much to honor your little beauty. always. xo m.
Wow Sheye! The more I see of Ava’s tree the more I love every single ornament. It reinforces how good people really and truly are. If this touches my heart the way it does, I can’t imagine what it does to yours. Thank you for letting us be a part of something so special for your darling girl.
Much love from NJ,
Sue
xoxo
W.O.W. I am just without words…you’re right, the response you’ve gotten is truly amazing. The world loves Ava that cannot be denied. My heart is heavy but full of happiness at the same time. You must be so overwhelmed, I don’t think I could handle the enormous amount of love you are receiving each day from people you’ve never met. Unbelieveably amazing. All my love, prayers and peace, Denise.
What a beautiful, incredibly touching way to honor Ava’s memory. You are blessed Sheye, blessed in so many, many ways not with just your amazing family but your spirit, your talent which empowers your ability to reach out to the world and involve us all with your heartache and grief, your happiness and your achievements. This will go down as one of the most incredible things I’ve ever been involved in. Your daily steps are victories and you will continue to look behind you and smile at them. With much love and peace, Denisexoxox
Didn’t mean to post twice, didn’t think the first one went through, I like the second one better anyway!!!! Guess I found some ‘words’! LOL, Denise.
Oh how WONDERFUL! I wanted to leave Hannah’s tree up, and am now kicking myself for not doing so. Wouldn’t Ava have ADORED the beauty and whimsy of it all? :o)
On a side note, I’m glad to see our ornament arrived in one piece–I was afraid it might have broken in shipping. Whew! :o)
beautiful sheye!
i still haven’t seen mine!!!
i sent two of theM! i wonderhow many you got altogether, did you keep a tally/! what an awesome project!!!!!!
she sure was a special girl to leave such an impact on so many lives!
hugs!
tara
I was in a hurry this morning and going thru my “daily blogs” quickly. Then I saw a pic of the Disney ornament my 3 year old picked out for Ava. I was stunned by how honored I felt that we were able in a small way to be part of such a beautiful project in your home. The ones hanging from the garlands are so beautiful…
These are all so beautiful; what a wonderful celebration of Ava! I am so happy for your family to find that not only was this project deeply appreciated by Ava’s siblings, but also that so many people wanted to participate. I cannot imagine a more touching everyday memorial for your phenomenal super princess =)
hiya, s:)
more and more beauty full!!!
l,
d xxxxx… x
The loveliness, of both gifts and givers, is simply stunning.
Sheye…
This is amazing! As you said, the holiday went by so quickly; for us too!
In fact it went by so fast I never got over to the post office to send off my
ornament to you. Every day I leave for work I see the box by my door, I’ve been
feeling guilty! Knowing you still have them up makes me so happy. Im sending it to you
this week!
The turn out was amazing! Beautiful just like Ava. ♥
Erica
pure magic.
so beautiful… thank you for sharing!
jules xo
Sheye, thank you for this gift. It was such a special part of our Christmas this year and such an honour to be a part of this superprincess tribute to your dear sweet Ava. Sherri XO
Oh! Look how much beauty, love, and sparklies your Darling Ava is still bringing to your hearts and home!
I am honoured to have been allowed to be part of this.
xo
Absolutely “Beauty Full” Sheye…. so magical! Thank you for sharing these beautiful gifts!!!
love,
Tanya xxxx
sheye,
thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this. as i see the wagon and tricycle that we(my 3 year old daughter and I)sent from miles and miles away (or maybe ones like ours?) i cannot help but be grateful to be able to reach out and “hug” someone whom my heart mourns so much for and also to be able to teach my daughter that we can love without boundries and care about people we don’t even “know”. after being introduced to your blog by a friend, i have been addicted ever sice. you inspire me in so many ways and i cannot tell you how much i admire your ability to make “lemonade out of lemons”. you are truly beautiful in your ways and i will forever keep avas story close to my heart and pray for you and yours. thank you, again, for sharing and being so brave in doing so!
emily from sheridan wyoming
Oh Sheye it is positively dreamy :o)
xx
Sheye –
I’m so happy to hear that you are keeping Ava’s tree up beyond the holidays. I’m also thankful that her tree truly does bring you and your family the peace, love, and comfort that you all SO deserve. You gotta know that Ava is smile is just beaming down on you every day of every year. With every stitch I made on Ava’s ornament, my thoughts and prayers were with you and your family…and they remain with you even today. God bless you :)
hey there sheye….. i havent checked in for a couple of weeks and just saw this post -i was slowly looking at all the precious ornaments (and ofcourse looking for mine!sad little thing that i am!)and then i saw the mason canvas – did the kids like them??? I so so hope so…
i think the ava tree is a beautiful thing – and seeing how much you recieved from all over the world just proves what an amazing mother you are to have made so many people fall in love with your sweet little ava.she has touched so many….amazing child xxLou