Thank you to the talented jewelry maker, Heidi J. Hale, for partnering with me and helping me tell my story. I am sharing with you my own thoughts, words and opinions about an amazing company that unknowingly helped me during a time of grief and great sadness.
Last year, I saw a Facebook post showcasing a beautiful silver, stacked, personalized ring. What really caught my attention was that each band of the ring could be personalized with a name, number or symbol and naturally the names of my four children {Cody, Sarah, Madison and Bailey} were my chosen design. This personalized ring would be a treasured birthday present to myself as I celebrated 45 years of an amazing life. I love wearing rings, my friend recently bought one for her husband from this website and it made me really want to buy another!
I typed up my order and didn’t even care about the delivery time as this personalized ring was going to arrive long after my birthday but just in time for Mother’s Day. It was a unique, fun and whimsical piece of jewelry that would definitely be a conversation piece and so very worth the wait.
Little did I know, that Facebook post and my order was also part of the movement that catapulted Heidi J. Hale into making her dreams come true as a jewelry maker and successful business owner. Little did I know, that personalized ring would arrive at a time when I was living my worst nightmare.
One month after I ordered my personalized ring, I received a phone call from a family friend and instantly knew from the tone of her voice that something was terribly wrong. As I was trying to process the conversation, my heart stopped, my body went numb, my tears flowed uncontrollably and I sobbed as I learned that my 23 year old son unexpectedly passed away in his sleep due to a brain hemorrhage. I literally felt the pain of my heart breaking in two as my mind went dark and my life was forever changed.
My days were filled with such a heavy sadness as I not only mourned the loss of my first born child but the immense pain I witnessed as my husband and daughters struggled with their own grief was quite overwhelming. As a wife and mother, I wanted nothing more than to absorb the pain bestowed upon my family.
Through therapy we learned that there is no right or wrong way to grieve, there is no starting or stopping point for grief and everyone grieves in their own way. Grief will never go away but we will learn to live with it on a daily basis as it is always present and shows up without warning like an uninvited house guest. As part of the healing process, we have all taken on different ways to honor and cherish Cody’s spirit and keep him close at heart.
My personalized ring from Heidi J. Hale arrived just before Mother’s Day last year. I had forgotten all about the ring I had ordered and it came at a time when I needed some happiness and joy in my life. Each time I look at my ring it makes me smile for being a Mother is one of my greatest blessings in life and I cherish the happy memories that bring some peace to my broken heart.
My stacked rings have become my wedding band and I am constantly asked about them. I wrote to Heidi J. Hale to tell her how much I loved my rings and the special meaning they have in my life. Soon after, I received the nicest, kindest, most sincere email with an offer to send me a new set of rings with “angel wings” next to Cody’s name. I was overwhelmed with this kind gesture as I didn’t even know they offered any type of Memorial Rings but then again, I was never in the market to shop for a such a ring.
Through further conversation about the path that brought me to this devastating moment in my life I was introduced to The Journey Necklace. This necklace perfectly depicted the last 26 years of my life as a military spouse traveling across the country. The Journey Necklace can be personalized with any path and I chose the 4 different states my children were born in as we moved coast to coast.
Although my son is no longer physically with us here on Earth, his spirit lives on through our happy memories. I am constantly reminded that nothing matters except making happy memories because in the end….memories are all we have left of each other. The custom made, personalized jewelry from the Heidi J. Hale collection reminds me to embrace my journey and keep making happy memories.
Cody, I miss you and love you with all the pieces of my broken heart. XOXOXO
Sweet Denise, what a touching and sad story but a beautiful gift and reminder of your sweet son. I know you will cherish that ring, the necklace, and especially the memories of Cody all your life! xoxo
Thank you my friend. I appreciate your kindness, love and support.
Denise, my heart still breaks for you as I read the story of Cody’s passing. Your ring and necklace are such beautiful reminders of your story…and that beauty can indeed rise from the ashes of heartbreak. You are an inspiration my sweet friend.
Thank you so much Sarah. Your love and support are greatly appreciated.
What a beautiful special way to keep Cody close to you!! Your an amazing strong beautiful lady and admire you in so many ways!!
Awww….thank you my sweet friend.
I’m sure this was not an easy post for you to write but it’s just beautifully written and I pray it was a healing process for you.
Thank you for the love and support Lisa.
What a beautiful tribute to your son and family, Denise! I wish you peace and healing <3
Thank you so much for the love and support my friend. xoxox
Thank you for sharing your heartbreaking story with us. That is such a beautiful reminder of your precious boy. I pray for healing for you and your family this Mother’s Day.
Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers.
This is a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you for your kind words and for visiting my blog.
Great story. I’m at work balling my eyes out. 🙂
Miss you guys, and I love the new ring addition. It’s beautiful.
Miss you and love you too. xoxox
What a beautiful way to remember your son. This is a wonderful post and I hope it helped you heal a little. Hoping for peace for you and your family.
Thank you so much for your kind words. One day at a time is all I can do. 🙂
From one mother to another, this was hard to read. A heartbreak I wish no mom ever had to experience. The jewelry is very nice, and I too hope I never need to know more about memory jewelry than I just learned reading your story.
Thank you so very much for your kind words.
I just read your story and wish I could hug you. I, too, am an angel mommy, and so know of the pain you feel. I am so sorry for your loss. I am a wife of a retired soldier and love the idea behind your necklace. I’m definitely going to get one for my four children, one boy and three girls :), all born in different places.
Thank you so much for you kind words. Amazing how parallel our lives our…military spouses with one boy and three girls all born in different states and angel moms. Life is crazy and I am blessed to meet wonderful people every day. Thanks Dru!
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