The Walk to Remember & Creative Ways to Celebrate our Children other than Balloons
My family attended the Walk to Remember again this year in Edmonton, Alberta. As always it was a special way for us to remember and celebrate Zachary’s life.
Walk to Remember, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 2013. Photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute.
Finding your child’s name along the sidewalk is like finding a treasure. I always cry. Writing your child’s name in chalk is a special way to celebrate their life. Photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute.
While I always enjoy the Walk to remember, after last year’s announcement of the world-wide helium shortage my hope was that all balloon-using events would become more creative in finding options other than balloons. For example, last year at the Walk we blew bubbles instead of releasing balloons.
I know for myself, I love the idea of the balloon release in regards to remembering my son. It’s like a little piece of my love can float up to heaven and reach him where I cannot actually do so. It’s an abstract idea. A sweet sentiment for sure. For Hannah, who is three, she likes to think that Zachary is up in the sky somewhere playing with the balloons we have sent up to him.
The environmentally conscious part of me though is conflicted about balloon releases. This concern was not only raised by the helium shortage (helium is a a precious commodity as it is used in many medical testing machines such as MRI). On a practical level, I don’t like the thought that the released balloons will return to earth and become garbage on the street or in a forest or park or river.
While balloons are bright and cheerful and they speak to the child-like nature (as you can see in my Walk to Remember photos), I believe there are many other more environmentally friendly ways we can remember our children.
Some ideas:
Plant a tree
My family planted two trees on Zachary’s first birthday. One tree is the son-tree and the other is the brother-free. This environmentally friendly act has been so lovely as we always think about Zachary whenever we see the trees and they help Hannah to see that our love for Zach is always growing.
Donate a bench or tree or plaque for a public park
This is a more costly option but it is a beautiful way to give back to the community which helps your own grieving. Helping others always helps those who give. Giving back is a great way to find healing.
Bake a cake
This is a special way to remember that is very fun (and tasty) and an activity that the whole family can do together and enjoy while talking and reminiscing. Add a birthday candle and make it a yearly remembrance.
Fly a kite
This has much of the same symbolism as the balloon release but you are not littering in the process. Plus you can decorate your kite and keep it for many years to come. It can also become a keepsake and be passed down. Children love kites and this can bring your family together in a very special way, laughing and having fun together as everyone tries to keep the kite afloat.
Write a letter
Say all the things to your child you never had the chance to say. Add a stamp and mail yourself the letter and reflect when you read it a few days later. Then you will always have the date stamped on the envelope and can remember how you felt and what you missed about your child in years to come as you go back to these letters time and time again.
There are so many ways to remember our babies. Do you have any other ideas? Please comment below and share what you have done or interesting ideas you have come across.
Learn more about the Helium Shortage:
“Why is There a Helium Shortage?” – Popular Mechanics
“Helium Shortage Leaves Balloon Business Deflated” – Globe and Mail