Sunday, March 22, 2009

Show & Tell: 11 years ago today...

[ETA:  Image has been removed.]

...(which was also a Sunday) I POAS -- and a second blue line immediately popped into view.

My life would never be the same again.

I told the story of that day here last year, on the 10th "anniversary" of that day. And although the story ultimately did not have a happy ending, with the stillbirth of our daughter on August 7th that year (1998), I will never forget the utter shock & giddy joy of that moment.

I thought today would be a good time to share something special from my "Katie collection." Katie's nursery theme was to have been Classic Pooh, and Classic Pooh remains dear to my heart. I still find myself buying things that have a Classic Pooh theme, although

I don't remember exactly when I got this music box, but I've had it for several years now. I spotted it at Birks, which is Canada's answer to Tiffany's -- a high-end jewelry & giftware store. It was expensive, around $100, but the moment I lay eyes on it, I knew I had to have it. I brought it to the counter, beaming, & the clerk asked, "Is it a gift? Shall I wrap it up?" "Oh no, this is for me," I said happily, & she gave me a kind of a funny look.

I keep it on top of the armoire in my bedroom, along with a framed photo of Katie with dh, my mom & me, & a few other Katie-related treasures. I wind it up & let the music play every week when I dust... (OK, whenever I dust, lol).

The box shows Pooh, Christopher Robin & Piglet watching ducks on a pond from a bridge. When you wind up the music box, the ducks go round & round under the bridge, as the song "Little Black Rain Cloud" (!!) plays.

The inscription around the bottom was, for me, the kicker: it reads: "Promise you won't forget me ever."

Katie, as long as Mommy & Daddy are here, you won't ever be forgotten. We promise. xoxo

39 comments:

  1. What a sweet story! I loved reading this - thank you for sharing.

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  2. That is so beautiful, Loribeth . . .

    Thank you so much for sharing.

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  3. It's beautiful - and I love that song and all things classic Pooh as well. Thinking of Katie today.

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  4. oh my what a precious beautiful object ..your show and tell brought a tear to my eye.

    Thank you for sharing your story xX

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  5. *wiping away a tear* What a sweet music box. I'm so glad you bought it.

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  6. Oh Loribeth...that is such a beautiful piece!

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  7. Remembering with you. I'm glad that Gabe and Katie get to share a day of rememberence.

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  8. I love classic pooh too. I am so glad this item could have such special meaning to you.

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  9. I love the way Katie is always with you, with us, eternal.

    And still, my heart breaks.

    XO, Loribeth.

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  10. Oh I'm misty eyed typing this. What a sweet post in memory of your beautiful little girl. That figurine is perfect. I'm so glad you have it to help remember her.

    Hugs to you!

    Eve

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  11. This made me tear up. That music box is so sweet and the inscription is perfect.

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  12. That is so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. Hugs to you and your DH, as well as hugs to your beautiful Katie.

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  13. It is so beautiful, as is your sweet Katie.

    Thank you for sharing...

    Jen

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  14. Deeply touching.

    Lovely music box...

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  15. What a lovely way to remember your daughter, loribeth!

    Thinking of both you and Katie.

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  16. Okay, this made me teary. I love Katie's music box. It's just so perfect.

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  17. Absolutely beautiful! I'm so glad you found such a perfect, sweet rememberance of your perfect, sweet girl.

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  18. Oh Loribeth ... what a bittersweet anniversary. And the whole Classic Pooh thing ... I'm right there with you. My dream was always to have a Classic Pooh nursery and yet. Dot. Dot. Dot.

    Hugs to you!

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  19. What a sweet story! So glad you found that, and bought it. Great tribute to Katie, Loribeth.

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  20. Wow, that is just beautiful and brings me to tears. I love how some items just speak to me that way. I was recently in a gift shop and always take a look at the baby frames to see if there is anything appropriate for a picture of my son. As soon as I saw the pewter frame with the words "So tiny. So loved.", I picked it up and bought it. I love seeing it on my desk at work.

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  21. That is my favorite quote from the whole story. Have you ever read the whole paragraph/chapter? When Pooh realizes C.R. is going away from the Enchanted Forest? It is especially meaningful to me now and probably to you as well. I have a classic Pooh tatoo, where he is chasing a butterfly on my lower right abdomen, stamped on me ong before I knew my belly would one day carry Caleb...
    Thinking of you and Katie as you remember.
    xxoo

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  22. I will use the excuse that it's just the cold when Josh walks in the room, but you are making me cry. I'm so glad you allow us to remember with you.

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  23. sending some love and support your way....

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  24. I love this, Loribeth. Really, really.

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  25. *sniff* What a beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing such a treasure.

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  26. Oh! And now I'm crying! That's simply beautiful!

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  27. amazing. I think if I were you and saw this music box I would have paid far more then 100 bucks.

    Sometimes our lost children speak to us. I think this is one of those times.

    R

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  28. What a beautiful post, thanks for sharing with us.

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  29. I remember you talking about the music box some time ago on Spals I think. Beautiful. Every time since - whenever I see anything Classic Pooh, I always think of you and your precious Katie.

    I'm glad you have something so sweet.

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  30. What a beautiful little music box and great story.

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  31. This breaks my heart.

    Although I find "Little Black Rain Cloud" so completely appropriate. For me, at any rate.

    Thinking of you and sweet Katie.

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  32. Here from the Friday blog roundup... and I am thinking of your Katie with you. The inscription brought tears to my eyes.

    Beautiful.

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  33. I am crying as I write this. It is a beautiful token of your love for Katie.

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