Montreal, QC/Toronto, ON

The summer after my high school graduation, my mom made me a quilt. One could call it a ‘memory quilt.’ Not only would it serve me well in the cold Toronto winters, but it also sparked fond childhood memories at times when I deeply needed the comfort of home. A patchwork of t-shirts from volleyball tournaments, band concerts, sleep-away camp, sports days, family trips, and so on – this kept me warm and smiling for all of my university years. The quilt is a memory of so many wonderful childhood experiences, friends, family and places, but more importantly, the quilt (and all quilts, in fact) reminds me of my amazing mom! The quilt is a symbol of how loving, generous, supportive and talented my mom is. I smile every time I look at it and think of her.

Thornhill, ON

Baking a red,white and blue layered cake. My mom served it to her friends the next day, she was so proud! Sunday morning baking became our ritual.

Olympia

Planted in my garden last year the day my dad died. It has flourished wonderfully and every day I see it and think of my dad.

Houston, Texas

This is the crucifix that was placed on top of my father’s casket during his funeral. My mother gave it to me to remember my father. It tears me apart because the crucifix shows death. I’m torn because I don’t like to think of my father as dead. While my father died in 2009, I still feel his presence everyday. He was my hero. He was an impressive man who taught me how to live out loud. He taught me to be daring. He taught me to help others. He was/is amazing. So I guess the crucifix makes sense in that although it depicts Christ’s death, as Christians we still believe Christ is alive. That’s how I feel about my father. Though he is physically dead, I feel his spiritual presence constantly.