It has been a sad couple weeks for us in the Smith home. On the 5th we had to put down our furry companion of 15 years....our black lab Jake.
It was time, his body was failing him, yet it was still the hardest decision I have had to make.
We miss him terribly. I had two weeks of just terrible sadness. Weeping at the drop of a hat.
Jake was my first baby, with my oldest son coming about a year later. They grew up together, and he too, took this very hard.
So we had him cremated, and decided to make an oak box together for his ashes. My husband made the box, and the kids helped to sand and stain it.
It is so healing to do work with your hands. Whether it is art, or cooking to serve another person, or digging in the soil to plant your own food, its just good for the soul.
Making this box, allowed us to cry and smile at the same time. It allowed us to do one last thing for Jake as a family.
I finally got around to my part, which was to make the name plate for the box.
I used my jewelry skills and sawed out a heart and a lab silhouette.
Stamping in a straight line is not really my thing, but I did my best.
It is getting backed in felt to soften it up, and will get tack nailed to the box.
Art therapy really does help.
Have you ever turned to creating to help you through a tough emotional time? Share in the comments.....we'd love to hear your story.
