Donate a book (or two) to a school library, a public library or a College library, in his name every year. His name will live as long as books do. If you choose good books, he will live forever. Check with your public library or local College library. Or think about your child's favorite author and donate books by that author in her name.

Plant a bag of wild flower seeds, in your yard, in a desolate area, or some suitable location.

Release butterflies in honour of your loved one. There is one butterfly lady at 604 858 8991. Contact Adele LaRiviere and she will also advise you on how to start your own butterfly garden in memory of your loved one.

Many people have groceries delivered because they can not get out. Thinkwhat a lift it would be if you contacted an organization that does the deliveries and sent along a single carnation to twenty of those people, with a sunshine card (cheery greeting) Then sign it in memory of your loved one.

In Vancouver, B.C. and in a park in Scotland there are park benches with brass metal donor plaques on the bench, saying "In Memory Of". Check with your city parks department about doing this in your area. Or donate a Memorial bench on the school ground of the school your child attended.

Become a member of a group or organization that seems connected to your loved one. One Canadian mother started a chapter of Mother's Against Drunk Drivers after her teenage son was hit by a car wile he was cycling in a park. The drunk's car left the road and traveled right into the park! Another mother now gives her time to fund a drive for cancer research after her child died following a long struggle with cancer.

One woman selected special rocks for her pond and garden in memory of her sister Angel. The rocks were not ordinary in that they had various inspirational messages written on them. She said," I saw my perfect choice. There was only one and it had pretty spring flowers painted in the corner and the word "live" painted in big bold letters. I bought it and perched it on the edge of my pond. It sums up in one little word what Angel continues to teach me."

Make or buy small gifts and visit a nursing home and give these out to those patients who get no visitors or few visitors and stay long enough to talk with them. They too have lost many loved ones by this time and need a friend.

Carol wrote, "when my mother died, to try and deal with my grief and wanting to do something for her birthday (which was six months after she died) I wrote a two page tribute to her. It described all of her wonderful attributes and characteristics and included as many of the wonderful memories of her that I could think of. I truly paid her a tribute and then I sent a copy of it to my Dad and each one of my siblings. Now my sister and I light a candle for her each year on her birthday and always read the tribute. (She died ten years ago this year) It truly is a way of "celebrating" her life and keeping her alive in our memory. She played an incredibly wonderful part in all of our lives and it would be sad for that memory to fade.

If your loved one was in a sport, ie., volley ball, soccer or baseball, football, hockey, then purchase equipment, or whatever might be needed by a peewee team just getting started, in the name of your loved one.

If your loved one was the more intellectual type, contribute a book or learning tool in that person's name to an under privileged child.

With the help of friends, create a memorial web page, where other parents can visit and offer encouragement.

One lady wrote: "At the time when my mother was so sick and I knew she didn't have long to live, I attended a Christmas eve service and went up to the front and lit a candle and said a prayer for her. I felt very spiritual and am sure God was watching and hearing everything that was in my heart. Also try lighting beautiful candles on the birthday of your loved one!

Have a family birthday celebration so his little brothers and sisters can always remember, too.

Adopt a child through World Vision or Foster Parents' Plan.

Donate "his present" to Santa's Anonymous each Christmas.

Support your local Music Festival with an award in the Family Music category

Establish an annual "Quality Citizenship Award" at a local Elementary School.

Do something special as a family each year on the week-end as close to his birthday as possible

Do a "Celebration of Life" scrapbook album showing for your loved one! Or help another bereaved mom do up a "Memory" scrapbook of favorite photos, drawings, etc.

One lovely lady wrote me about this expression of love:" when my cousin Jock drowned, his girlfriend sent Jock's mother flowers on Mother's Day for years. It meant a lot to know her son lived on in this woman's memory!"

If you know what his/her favorite Charity was or think you know what they would have chosen, donate either some money or your time in his/her name!

Celebrate a deceased loved one's life by reaching out to someone who you've lost touch with; renew your relationship; we all know that life is too short.

Go for a walk with your memories of them and later look for opportunities to minister to others who have recently lost a loved one.

Write a poem, song, or instrumental piece in memory of a beloved child.

Adopt an animal at your local zoo or shelter in his/her name. Or donate your time to an animal shelter. Also know that often they need pet food, newspapers, litter, old blankets and towels.

Many swimming pools, museums, and parks are in need of financial help, and many have wall plaques displaying the name plates of the donors. Make a donation and place on it the name of your loved one.

Whenever I donate even a small amount to a worthy cause I do it in honor of my child. Every year on his/her birthday donate the amount of money of his/her age to a charity. You have a whole year to put some money away for this, in a special jar .

If you live in an apartment building or have nowhere to plant flowers ask around. At one senior complex a gentleman planted and cared for flowers that were chosen by the residents. When they blossomed, they picked some of their plants. (a simple name on a stick identified the donor).

The first book I wrote was dedicated to my deceased son.

Have Birthday Party with family members or a few close friends. Dig out a photo album and spend fifteen minutes showing pictures of your loved one and traveling down memory lane. (Keep this short) Light candles, perhaps even enough for the number of years you shared with your child. Candles are so spiritual and I'm sure our departed loved ones would know

Send a hand written note to your other children to tell them how proud you are of them. One mother who contributed to this list, sent me three pages of ideas. (her daughter is in hospital dying). She mentioned that one of her daughters felt so left out as everyone constantly spoke of her dying sister. She knew (intellectually) that she was being silly yet emotionally she was a mess. Survivors often suffer when so much attention goes toward the dying. Be aware.

Mentor someone. Or become a Big Brother or a Big Sister.

Visit a bed ridden person (hospital or nursing home) and offer your services. Bring reading material and offer to write letters and then mail them (you buy the stamps). If it is allowed take your animal to the nursing homes as they often never see a live cat or dog after they enter. Do check first as some people have deadly allergies to animals.

Look around you. There are people suffering though many hard times. Take someone out to lunch as a goodness gesture. (In memory of a dad or mom)

Donate a trophy for Special Olympics in memory of your loved one.

Become a volunteer at a food bank or donate a huge hamper of especially good food to a food bank in honour of your loved one.

A woman in Illinois wrote a lady in Australia and offered to send up a balloon in memory of James. And then a woman in California said she would send up balloons, also. So on his birthday, in Australia, Illinois and California, colorful balloons hit the sky as a celebration of the life of James. Maggie, mother of James suggests you might wish to get something fancy like a butterfly shaped balloon, or something plain with a tag on it bearing the name of your loved one!

Start a Journal about all the Fun times you remember having with him/her.

Stanford University was built in 1919 from an endowment in memory of a 16 year old Leland Stanford who died of typhoid fever. Most of us won't be able to donate five million dollars, but it is wonderful to see so much generated because of love for ones child. Just do your best!

Have a star in the sky named after your loved one.

It takes just one person with a quest to start something that may help millions. Think of Terry Fox, Canadian runner, who lost first a leg and then his life to cancer. And now every year tens of thousands run to raise money for cancer (in his memory). In memory of your loved one celebrate his life, move forward and make a difference.

Contributors
With deep appreciation and a grateful thanks to all the contributors for this list of ideas. The contributors, from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the U.S.A. are named and if known, their loved one is in brackets: Betty Brisson, (Cathy), Kathleen, Anne, Maggie Pospisil (James) ,Rosie Ann Williamson, Carol Ellis, Kathe Campbell, Christian Fisher, Deneene, Joan Wester Anderson, Beth, Betty Stonehouse, Jan Henderson (Seth), Margie Rice (Ryan), Deborah Werner, Harriet Sardeman, Anne Goodrich, Karen Kasiskrafty, Lea MacDonald, Jo Walker, Laura Porras, Susan Fahncke (for Angel), Mary Ellen, Alison, Eva Marie Everson, Sally (for Brandon), Alison.

My thanks, Ellie Braun-Haley. Email me at shaley@telusplanet.net