Step 4
This is the final step and for me the most emotional and may be for you also. I found magazine images that conveyed what I was feeling about my loss. There were some words and a picture of a surgical procedure, red blood cells, and a heart. Along the inside edges, I had glued five photo copied images of an eight-cell embryo. I also had a bible verse that I found in one of my cards that fit perfectly. The last items that I glued in were the five Petri dishes that my doctor gave me from my in-vitro procedure. I kept them all these years because they were the only tangible link I had to my last pregnancy. I glued a small, red heart bead in each one and then glued the lids on. Next, I wrote the five angel names I had given them in gold on the lids. Lastly, I added the loose items of a letter that I wrote to my babies, five torn pictures of baby faces, and a copy of an in-vitro flyer from the hospital.
I would like to thank all of you who joined in and participated in this very emotional project. After all the emotional energy it took to complete this project you may not want to look at it or open it again for a while, but when you do, allow yourself to grieve. I hope that as you travel on your journey of grief and mourning, that this box and what it symbolizes for you brings some comfort and healing.
Blessings,
Donna L. Robichaud
References
Farrell-Kirk, R. (2001) Secrets, symbols, synthesis, and safety: the role of boxes in art therapy. American Journal of Art Therapy. Vol. 39 pp. 88-92.
Malchiodi, C. (1992). Art and Loss. Art therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. 9(3) pp. 114-118.
http://www.agoodgroup.com/drawntogether/memorybox.htm
Art Supply Sources
www.dickblick.com
www.amazon.com
Hobby Lobby
Michaels
Jo-Ann Fabrics
Wal-Mart