Matthew –  Kathryn’s brother died last year from complications after surgery. This was his 8th cancer surgery in 16 years, due to his unfortunate inheritance of the Lynch mutation. He was a biomedical engineer. He used to research each different cancer type prior to treatment; his suggestion to his surgeon to break with tradition and treat his advanced colo-rectal cancer with radiation and chemotherapy prior to surgery to prevent seeding, led to a new treatment protocol for this cancer. He had over 40 peer-reviewed publications, most related to visual physiology, and 11 patents. This memory board was created for Kathryn in honor of her amazing brother.

Patti – I created this memory board for no special reason other than I am a fan of  this author’s work. She loves, peonies, lavender and Johnny Depp so I included those favorites on her board. I postal mailed it to her and believe it is now hanging in her office. Patti Digh has written “Life is a Verb”, “Creative is a Verb” and “Simple Truths for a Happy Life” and her new book in the works is “The Geography of Loss”. You can submit your story here: http://atlasofexperience.tumblr.com/ I submitted one about my grandmother. 

Bill – Kathryn was 22 when her mother was in a tragic car accident from which she did not recover. Twenty-two years later, her sister passed away from cancer at age 48. Last year her brother, Matthew (above) died unexpectedly from complications after surgery. The grief was overwhelming to Kathryn and her father the only remaining members of this family of five. For years the relationship between Kathryn and her father had been difficult at best. After each death, rather than growing closer together – they grew further apart.

Father’s Day was coming up and she wanted to give him something meaningful. She contacted me to create a memory collage for her dad in honor of her departed brother and sister. As she carefully wrapped the artwork for shipping; she pictured him opening it and wondered what his reaction would be.

Kathryn included a handwritten note that said, “I commissioned this artwork in memory of the first two people to call you Dad.” On the day the package was scheduled to arrive, she didn’t hear from him. She wouldn’t know until she spoke with him on Father’s Day that he was so overcome with emotion the day he received it he couldn’t call her.

As he told Kathryn how much he appreciated her thoughtful gift his voice cracked with emotion. “They were really cute kids,” he said choking back tears.  He thanked her repeatedly. As their conversation came to a close he asked her if they could keep in touch via Skype. Kathryn was astounded. While they spoke periodically, he had never expressed a desire for face-to-face contact.
Bereavement Art not only memorializes beautifully those who have passed, it has the power to heal relationships with those who are left behind.