Behind the Button

Corey Dunn | An Adventure Well-Lived

I have come to know some remarkable people since I started Buttons of Hope. One of them Becky Giblin called me this week to share another tragic story of loss...and life. As you may know Becky and Tom Giblin lost their young daughter Rachel a couple of years ago - she was killed while riding in a ms (multiple sclerosis) fundraising bike ride. As if that is not enough for one family...

Becky called because her son's good friend Corey Dunn died in a freak snorkeling accident over the Christmas holiday - Becky asked me to make buttons for Corey's memorial service. I have have come to know a few Moms who have lost their children and like Becky they have this indescribable strength to move forward (not on) just forward day by day and yet they too have the desire and the will to give back, to help others - the world is a much better place for people like Becky Giblin.

As with most buttons I make I did not know Corey Dunn (21) - but I have a son Ryan (18) so whenever I hear a story like Corey's it more than breaks my heart, more. I've said before that after making 100s of buttons looking at the picture I feel as though I get to know the person - I think it's the eyes. So when I read the amazing story of Corey's life/adventure today in the Charlotte Observer's Knowledge and Adventure Filled His Life I knew right away that was Corey! Please read the story I think you'll find a lot of hope in the words and memories of Corey's too short but BIG life. (You will find information on the Discovery Place Memorial in the Observer article.) 

There is no way the memories alone can overcome the grief and sadness BUT with friends like Becky Giblin I am sure that Corey's family and friends will at some point be able to move forward (you never move on) cherishing an adventure well-lived. Godspeed, Corey Dunn.

"I’m not going anywhere until my children graduate from high school.”

That was Cherie Heiberg's answer to cancer. Any words from me would pale compared to her daughter Kellie's beautiful words about her Button of Mom.

My Mother by Kellie Allen

"Last summer I participated in a bike ride to raise money for cancer that was called “24 hours of Booty”.  During that ride I wore a button with my Mother’s picture, and the words “In loving memory of the best Mom ever”.  It was a tremendous feeling knowing she was with me in spirit during the ride as she has been for the last 29 years since her passing. 

My Mother died of cancer at the age of 50 when I was only 19 years old. Diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 38 she had a tremendous amount of strength throughout her illness. She still had two young children to raise so as you can imagine it was a tremendous challenge for her and my Father to continue to maintain a normal household.

There is one story of many I would like to share that shows how strong her will was and how amazing people are who suffer with this horrible disease.  At the age of 42 after being in remission for four years the cancer reappeared and she spent several months in the hospital.  Thing were not looking good and the Doctors told my Mother and Father they needed to get her affairs in order.  Well, my Mother being the strong person she was looked at my Father and said, “Bud…..I’m not going anywhere until my children graduate from high school”.  At that time I was the youngest at 12, and she did in fact recover and lived until after my freshman year in college.  She continued to battle the disease until she passed but there was no way she was going to miss her children growing up.   

The “button of hope” that I wore during that ride was a great inspiration for me and I will continue to wear it proudly in these types of events and of course on Mother's Day.  I would encourage whoever has been through what I have to think about this as you participate in bike rides, walks, runs or any endeavor you do in honor of your Mother."

Kellie, is a friend of mine and I remember vividly the day I delivered those buttons to her -- her reaction? let's just say it's not just about the button!

ps. I make a lot of buttons and with each one I feel like in a way I know the person -- looking at this button and her smile ~ I have no doubt that "I'm not going anywhere....is exactly what Kellie's Mom would say! Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there..and up there.

Buttons making a difference.

Tony Edmond Barthelemy died June 28, 2006. Tony was a victim of two tragedies first Katrina in August of 2005 and then the ultimate tragedy -- he was murdered in the town he loved New Orleans. Tony left behind a Mom [Michelle Brown], a Dad and two brothers Patrick and Lorenzo. As is so often the case it is the Mom who bears the brunt of the loss. Yet inexplicably it is Moms like Michelle who also have the bravery to establish and care for their loved ones legacy. Michelle Brown is one of those Moms, in her words...

My last phone call from my son, Tony, was on Sat., June 17, 2006. We talked and he told me that he and some of his friends were going shopping for Father's Day. He wanted to get his dad a gift. I told him, "Be careful." Tony said, "I will, Mom. Then he asked me, "Did you and Dad get the card's I sent to you?" I said, "Yes, we loved them. Tony said, "Mommy, I love you and I want to come home soon." [Tony was in the Young Marines] I said, " Mommy loves you too baby, and I am coming to get you soon. He said, "OK. I will call you on Father's Day." No call came from my baby, on Father's Day.

Tony's life was cut short due to an animal, that kidnapped, beat and shot my baby in the neck. His body was found on Father's Day, June 18, 2006, in a wooded area in Aligers, New Orleans, Louisiana. [see Tony's beautiful online memorial at Memory-Of.com]

Michelle and her boys find some solace that Tony is truly in a better, happier place ~ and I am proud to have been able to help them honor his legacy with photo buttons. Michelle will tell you we had a time making those buttons; problems with the digital images, buttons lost in the mail but in the end I think those little buttons are making a big difference. Michelle recently wrote to me...
"My Son's smile in that book [Southpark magazine] brought tears of joy knowing that he was a hero. I wear my button each day to work and everywhere I go ~ I love them and will be ordering more for Tony's birthday [May 16] & his angel day [June 28].

That, is simply powerful!

[Here is the Southpark Article with Tony's button image & another hero Hope Stout (a beautiful story too for another day]

My Father, My Hero! A photo button tells a story.

This is the first Behind the Button story -- I will let Valerie's words speak for themselves. I am however humbled to know the BIG difference these little buttons are making.

To the world it may be just a button, but to one person that button may be the world!

Merry Christmas Daddy!   This is the third Christmas without you now and it has NOT gotten any easier to be without you on what was your FAVORITE time of year!... how we used to read the story of Christmas from the Bible and then sing carols and drink egg nog...This year because of this wonderful memorial site Memory-Of.com I was able to make memorial buttons for me and all of your kids to wear proudly in remembrance of you and how special you are to us!  It has a picture of you on it that is very special to me as it is the day that Deborah was born. It says: "My Father, My Hero" on it and everyone loves it!!
I think of you every day of my life Dad and miss you so very very much!
Your daughter, Valerie

Visit Joseph (J.C.) Summerlin's beautiful online memorial at Memory-Of.com

Wishing a peaceful New Year from Buttons of Hope -- be something remarkable in 2008!