Nick asked me if I wanted to help him make a memory quilt with Niel's t-shirts.  I said "OF COURSE!".  We weren't sure what we were doing or how to make a quilt, so we watched a few YouTube videos and then we went off to the store to buy our supplies!  We found some awesome WSU Cougar material that was just perfect and an amazing "pizza cutter" style tool for cutting the squares out.  We were set and ready to get started.  We made a pact to not worry about mistakes or how it might all turn out...as long as we were doing the quilt with love...it would be perfect!  After seven sessions of cutting, sewing, and sharing memories of Niel...our beautiful quilt was done!  We surprised ourselves with how well it turned out.  I'm so proud of us!!!  Niel was with us every step of the way as we remembered some really good stories inspired by his t-shirts and sweatshirts.  I know he LOVES his memory quilt we made in his honor.  What a treasure!  I'm so grateful that Nick asked me to help him and allowed me to be a part of this wonderful project.  We put so much love into making this quilt together and in the process, we made new memories with Niel that we will always treasure. 

Niel wanted me to get matching tattoos with him a few years ago.  I have never gotten a tattoo and really didn't want to commit to something permanently tattooed on my body.  Niel got his first tattoo in college.  It was Asian words/symbols on the side of his calf.  We teased him that it was probably a Chinese take out menu and that we could order off his leg.  He took the joking well and went on to get many more tattoos in his lifetime.  My favorite was the tattoo Nick and Niel got of their initials.  As much as I loved their matching tattoos, I still didn't see myself ever getting a tattoo of anything.  After Niel passed, I regretted not getting that tattoo with him.  Recently I decided to get a tattoo for him to honor his memory.  Nick went with me and held my hand.  It felt like Nick and Niel were with me...both proud of their momma who put her big girl panties on to FINALLY get a tattoo.  I love the poem...I Carry Your Heart With Me...by E. E. Cummings, and chose to use it for this tribute to Niel.  It says...I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart). That is how it is for me.  I will carry my precious son's heart in my heart forever. 
I love you sweet man...to the moon and back!  Love Mom xoxo

Niel's Aunt Paula wrote  this memory down for us at Niel's Celebration of life:

Two years ago, I made lap blankets for Christmas.  I made them for everyone. Niel didn't know that I had made him one, so on Christmas morning when he opened his gift...he was thrilled!  He told me that he loved his new blanket, and he gave me lots of big hugs and kisses!  He told me it was his new best blanket, and that just melted my heart!  

Love Aunt Paula

Ten years ago, Niel and Nick got me an epic Mother's Day present that I love so much!!!  They made me a book mark with pictures of them reading a book!  That was so like them...funny, crazy, loveable boys!  Together they were so hilarious!  I miss their teasing me together...they could be relentless!  When I would say...you two are crazy...they would almost say in unison...you're crazy!  I was...crazy with love for these two!