Larry's Roses..

One of the last times I visited with Larry, he had on a Wrangler Western shirt, long sleeved and crisply starched and ironed - as usual. I can't think of a time I didn't see him in pressed Levis, crisp long-sleeved western shirts and boots..

But this shirt was different..it was pink.

Pink plaid.

Because it was Wrangler's Breast Cancer shirt - complete with a small embroidered Breast Cancer ribbon sewn on the pocket.

And he wore it for me...and later for my sister Gerri who developed breast cancer..

When he passed, my other sister Kathy asked his wife for the shirt..to have..


She was given it at dinner and cuddled it and sniffed it, trying to find the essence of Larry..but of course, it was fresh with soap and softener..

She told me on the way home that she thought I should have it..after all, he had worn it in honor of all the Breast Cancer in our family..all so far from our maternal line.

I didn't argue.

Took it home and pulled it out of the suitcase and did the same "embracing and sniffing"..then put it in a drawer..

Got to thinking, what good is it doing in there? While I didn't want to wear it..at least not as a shirt..

..but I wanted it close to me..where I could see it and not forget about it and what it represented to me.

That's where blogging comes in.

While blog-hopping, I found a great tutorial on "Shabby Flowers" that I thought would be perfect...IF I could really learn how to make them.

{ Go to: http://www.robenmarie.com/home/category/tutorials and scroll down to the Shabby Flower Tutorial - it's WOndERfuL }

..and I DID :-) Thanks, Roben-Marie..where ever you are!

While a slow day at work, I made some practice ones..then took the plunge to TEAR this beautiful, perfectly good shirt into strips..

..and make..roses. Larry's roses. I wore one at the memorial and will make them for any of the girls in the family that want one..for headbands, wristlets, corsages, purse accents..or just to have..

Larry's roses...

I like 'em..

If you have something 'special'...don't let it sit unused, unseen or forgotten.

Take it out..use it..see it..well....maybe not TEAR it, but if it would allow it to have a second life...a second purpose..go ahead. Have fun..and have...'rememberies"

Love it and pass it on.

-me