One Initial Gift or Acknowledgement from PNO Inciid...

[CindyTx]

I love the calendar idea above.

But I really think it would be nice if we could band together and get one joint gift or contribution from all of us at INCIID to get started. And then continue the calendar care packages/cards throughout the year.

So some ideas so far are:

1. Contribution to American Cancer Society in Al's name
2. Flowers
3. College money for the kids
4. Gift Cards for Restaurants/services
5. Planting a tree in Al's memory
6. Framed print of Alison's family that were recently taken
7. Engraved Photo Locket (we did this a few years ago on my BB forum) - we did about $10 each to get this.


Please post other ideas and vote for your favorite. We can then narrow it down to three choices and then vote again.

I will try to get everyone over to this site so we can all get together.

Thanks so much! And feel free to email me at pnoinciid@yahoo.com for questions; comments etc.

Thanks,

Cindy

[CindyTx]

Here is a link to the photo locket we bought a few years ago for an INCIID friend on our BB forum. We had it engraved by hand and it turned out beautiful. If anyone is interested in this, I can show you a picture of it with the engraved initials.

This would be nice since Alison could put in photos of her and Al and the kids inside. Just a thought.

http://secure.jamesavery.com/jewelry...r-Oval-Locket/

[CindyTx]

Here is a pic of the engraved locket we sent:

http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2.../of=50,385,442

[Biscuit]

Leaping in here...

I think framing the family pictures is a lovely idea. I have also volunteered to do a scrapbook of those pictures and any others Alison cares to send me, but that's my private gift to her regardless of anything else.

I also like the locket idea.

I think we also need to remember there are two kids who lost their Dad, and while college finds are a lovely idea, they also have more immediate concerns as well. Whatever we do for Alison, let's not forget the children as well. Each of them had their own special relationship with Al.

I am not particularly a fan of the donation to American Cancer Society idea. While I support the organisation wholeheartedly, it sounds so impersonal, unless Alison specifically says that is what she wants.

I told Cindy that when a bb2001 Inciider had cancer a few years ago, we all got together and made a schedule so every weeek she received a small package from someone different, to show her support. The nice thing was this stretched over a long period of time, and wasn't just a one time thing. Whatever we do for Alison, I would like it to be something that will remind her of our support in the coming months, not just days. In some senses, the "easy" part is coming to an end for her, and when everyone goes back to their own lives in the next few months, that is when the grief and loneliness will really hit home to her. I would like us to be a continuing source of support.

Anyway, those are some of my thoughts. I will contribute to whatever the group decides on.

Melanie.

[Doe]

Cindy, I've already spoken with Amy, the photographer who did Alison's recent photos. She will be delivering a few special ones to their home on Thursday. I understand and agree with Jamie that it's likely they won't want large framed photos of Al this ill, but more personal remembrances... At any rate, the enlargements (I picked 2 to be printed as 8x10s) are already on their way.

[Doe]

I told Cindy that when a bb2001 Inciider had cancer a few years ago, we all got together and made a schedule so every weeek she received a small package from someone different, to show her support. The nice thing was this stretched over a long period of time, and wasn't just a one time thing. Whatever we do for Alison, I would like it to be something that will remind her of our support in the coming months, not just days. In some senses, the "easy" part is coming to an end for her, and when everyone goes back to their own lives in the next few months, that is when the grief and loneliness will really hit home to her. I would like us to be a continuing source of support.

Anyway, those are some of my thoughts. I will contribute to whatever the group decides on.

Melanie.

Melanie, the other post with the "calendar" idea has a sign up for the next three months, to send small care packages - plus special dates (their anniversary, Al's birthday, Alison's birthday, etc.) that we will not want to let pass unnoticed. Please feel free to sign up and let others know that we are trying to arrange this...

[chelleyau]

not wanting to step out of line here

but in the family who earned the money?

[chelleyau]

meaning do they have money to pay bills that coming in?

[Doe]

Both Alison and Al worked. Al has been out on disability since September, if I remember right...

[Biscuit]

I haven't read any of the other posts yet, but will do so now. Thanks.

[amelia1]

I think you are right. There will come a time when all the support and help stops and the family will feel like they are on their own. I bought something for Alison that I was going to take to the post office today. I can hold off if we want to organize a schedule.