Forever Yours - Our lives are enhanced by the people we love and by those who love us.
- Debbie Maier Jacknin
- Dec 15, 2017
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 12
I'll never forget how I felt when I first glanced at my daughters. My love was intense, and my life was never the same. Overnight, what I thought was important changed.
When I was young, I would roll my eyes when my parents spoke or did certain things. Later, I saw wisdom in their words and found myself repeating what they said to my children. I never rolled my eyes when my grandparents talked. That love felt different. I can always count on my sister to laugh at my jokes. She can tell if I've had a good day or need to be comforted just by the way I say hello.
Sometimes we get angry with those we love the most. They can hurt us or say things that can hurt us at our core. And we can hurt them. I remember my stepfather saying, "just be kind to each other." Imagine if we all took those words to heart? Might we speak differently to our loved ones?
My dog greets me with his whole body. His ears go up, his eyes smile, his tail wags, and he circles me until I say hello. He loves with his whole body. Maybe we should do this? Imagine if we humans greeted each other as if seeing one another was the best thing that happened that day!
When I first met my late husband, Larry, I was fiercely independent and used to doing things for myself. Early in our relationship, he arrived at my house before I did, noticed it was trash day, and took out my garbage. You would have thought he had given me diamonds, chocolates, and roses by how much I appreciated the gesture. As time passed, I learned to lean on him and made a conscious effort to never take those small acts of kindness for granted.
Why did I name this stained-glass mosaic Forever Yours? When it was finished, I saw two different things in the birds. At first, I thought about how I used to lean on Larry—the lorikeet in the back appears to be resting on the one in front. Then, I saw it another way. When Larry was sick and needed help, he leaned on me. In that moment, I saw him as the bird behind.
Or maybe, the bird in front is me—looking ahead, moving forward—while the bird behind leans in, offering encouragement and strength. Larry passed away in 2016, but I often feel like he’s still watching over me. Perhaps I am the bird in front, with Larry behind me. Even though I can’t see him, I can still feel his love—forever yours.
Forever Yours:
Love that transcends. Love that lasts. Love that forgives. Love that lasts forever.
Arie, the dog I had with Larry and Songbird Artistry’s first shop dog, has passed away. Located across from Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, Arie brought comfort and joy to young patients, their families, and everyone who walked through our doors.
On October 25, 2020, I adopted Ruthie Barker Ginsburg.
She proudly carries on Arie’s legacy, spreading love as Songbird Artistry’s shop dog.
Remember your loved one or let someone you care about know they are Forever Yours. Available on bibs, onesies, child shirts, and adult long sleeve, short sleeve or V-neck shirts.
