Okay so this isn’t for naming advice but I really need some feedback if at all possible. Thank you!
We discovered yesterday that over the weekend my cousin and his wife lost their child. They were due with a beautiful little boy next month and had complications that over night caused them to lose him. It was one of the things that the chances of it happening are super low and there was really no way to know about it until it was too late. Needless to say, they are totally devastated. I’ve sent out cards expressing our love for them and their son but I wanted to do something more.
I’m an illustrator and lately my cousins wife and I have been talking about me illustrating a childrens book for her son. She gave us (my husband and I) the honor of being aunt and uncle to him (both of my brothers passed and left no children, so this was a huge deal for me) and I would now love to make a short illustrated book in his memory. It would take months to make and I would hope to have it done by [name_u]Christmas[/name_u]. Their sons name is 0scar H3nry and I would love suggestions or ideas on the contents of the book. Short story line ideas, poems, something related to his name, anything.
One of the poems I was thinking of illustrating for it was" [name_f]Do[/name_f] Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" by [name_f]Mary[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] Frye. I loved reading this poem when my brother passed to remind me that a part of him was always with me. I feel it may be too sad for them though so I want to see if there are other ideas out there. I’m open to other poems, collections of poems, or even making a story from scratch if the right idea presents itself.
Any suggestions or feedback would be SO appreciated as I really want to make this a wonderful token to their beautiful son.
What a wonderful idea- I’m sure it really help them go through this truly awful experience
[name_m]Oscar[/name_m] means “deer-lover”, so maybe some kind of idea with him as a little deer or fawn could work well
I believe [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] Wilde also did a few children’s stories as well as his other work, maybe you could look into them and see if any would be appropriate to be adapted
Since his birthday was supposed to be in spring or summer time, as is the time they lost him, this could maybe also be a nice theme. Perhaps the cover or something could have blossom trees or some other kind of spring/summer scene
All I can think of right now- maybe Ill come back with some more ideas
I am sorry for your loss and for your cousin and whole family. Your idea is a wonderful way of remembering [name_m]Oscar[/name_m]. I don’t know of any ideas that are beyond what you have right now, but I wanted to let you know that I will be thinking about it. I’m sure whatever you end up making will be very appreciated by your cousin and his wife.
… one idea just came to me. His initials are OH so you could write a story repeating words in that sequence. ex. in [name_m]Ox[/name_m] Hallow there lived and Old Hag who loved to Own Hens…
Bad example. But you could think of the people who love him and use his initials as a jumping off point for a poem or story etc.
I’ve been thinking about a deer theme as well! They had the nursery set up and it was a forest theme which fit so well with his name (they had never heard the deer meaning). I can’t imagine their grief right now and really want to let them know that their son will always be a part of our family.
A miscarriage is so hard.
I love the song and poem [name_f]Do[/name_f] Not Stand at my Grave And Weep - but I agree is might be a bit harsh. Maybe you can just use certain phrases.
Maybe try [name_u]Angel[/name_u] of My Tears ? Searching it may bring up other related poetry.
Good luck, and I really admire your creativity in wanting to help the healing process.
Thank you. I don’t think it’s technically a miscarriage since he was viable (I believe miscarriage is for when it’s 20 weeks or less) and it’s so heart breaking because they had one more month to go She had to actually give birth and I just can’t imagine the trauma.
That poem is beautiful! It’s been hard finding one that’s to the point but not harsh or blunt. I don’t like the fluffed up ones but I don’t want to make it “too much”. I’ve also considered small encouraging sayings with illustrations as well. I had so much creative ideas for the little one and what I would make him so now I want to use that energy to help his parents who need it so much.