Mama's final resting place was a source of sad uncertainty for me. Buying an urn is serious business. After all, no one wants their loved one to rest in a place that isn't suitable. But when the person who has passed on doesn't get to choose that place personally, it can be quite a puzzle for the ones left to make the decision...to say the least.
I did my research and was startled to see how many variations of urns are in the marketplace! I guess we never really concern ourselves with this information until it is forced upon us to make a choice. The prices on the urns were as intimidating as the many choices for sale.
So, I resorted to my imagination, which is one thing Mama always encouraged. It seemed suitable to create Mama's urn myself in honor of her dedication to crafting and her support for my artistic talents over the years. If it was an "epic fail", as the teens say nowadays, then I would be out little investment and could just chunk it in the trash. No harm done in the attempt.
With God's blessings, I feel like the finished product says much more than I ever could. No arrogance here, simply peace that I honestly feel Mama would be proud. She was an artist herself, so it is fitting that she should rest in a piece of art.
I combined aspects of her personality with her hobbies that brought so much pleasure, both to her and to the lucky recipients. She was part Cherokee Indian and part Dutch, hence the Dutch windmill in the photo. I painted an Indian maiden on another area of the box in the photo. She collected chicken memorabilia, so there is a rooster on one side. The flowers she liked most are in the bottom photo above. She was happiest when she was listening to good music, hence the musical symbols. There is also a painting of a few of the crafts she enjoyed most and books. She was a avid reader all her life.
The keys to the final resting place are love, honor, and consideration of the personality of the person it will contain. The life was loved and respected, and so should be the ashes. Please don't let it intimidate you when it is your decision to make. Just pray and seek guidance with your heart.
R.I.P. Patricia Lee Jones Freeman Barfield Thank you for the gifts we shared.





