When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a
treasure…
I am always grateful to have the honor to assist with my
clients’ happiest days: their weddings, bar mitzvahs, baby announcements,
birthdays, and other special events. Occasionally, I get asked to create
something to honor of the toughest times in one’s life: these are often the
projects that define me as a person...
Several weeks ago, I received one of the most fulfilling
invitation requests I have ever created. A former client reached out to me and
said, “ I have an interesting question for you? Have you ever done invitations
for a celebration of life?”
Her dear friend, Jan, had passed away after fighting illness
for quite some time. It was one of Jan’s last requests that she not receive a
traditional funeral, but rather a celebration of the life she lived: full of
bright colors, joy, and merriment. It was a task that I felt was heart-warming,
endearing, and incredible honorable to take on.
I grew up in a family where due to the age and proximity of
all the elder grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., we were at the funeral home
quite a bit. As a young child, it was a delight for me: I got to see my
cousins, wear a pretty dress, and there were these tiny little bottles of soda
for the family in the kitchen that were just my size. I had no idea there was
sadness there; as far as I was concerned it was a time of joy. I grew up not
fearing death, but accepting it as part of the walk we all take. I saw this stationery project as an
opportunity to glorify the life of a wonderful woman and celebrate her in a way
that was fun and cheerful: as she would have wanted.
I wanted to create an invitation that captured Jan’s spirit
and celebrated the life she lived, so it was imperative that it was brightly
colored, fresh, contemporary, and sincere. It was important that it cheerful in the way it was written. We opted for a simple but beautiful 5x7 bight pink invitation (her favorite color) with a shimmery finish, sweet wording in a fun font, and finished off with by adding rhinestones to the "i"s of "in celebration" as Jan loved Bling!
Jan loved to eat at Olive Garden, so it was only fitting that her celebration take
place there. I created a welcome sign and tented menus for the tables of Jan’s favorite
foods. The décor was a combination of things from her closet: fantastic pieces
of costume jewelry, purses, pictures, etc. and all of the guests were invited
to take a memento with them as they left. It was a time of sharing stories,
memories, and laughter. I like to think that she enjoyed the shindig from up
above and laughed right along.
Thank you Jan, for allowing me to be a part of your life
story and may the memories you have left in the hearts of your friends and family
always be bright treasures!
Labels: 1st impressions invitations, Celebration of Life Invitations, custom invitations, custom stationery, las vegas
