Tag Archives: grandparents

“Roots and Wings” Bracelet for Empty Nest Parents and Grandparents of Kids Going off to School, College, and Life!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
3

I felt inspired to create a lovely bracelet design (which becomes a sacramental after it is blessed) for parents and grandparents of kids away from home. I designed the first two to be a bit fun and uplifting by using the lively colors of glass art beads.

One is a bit more colorful than the next which has darker beads (using blacks and white and some other colors). I made them with my signature nine-beads to represent a novena of prayer and also the nine-month pregnancy of human-life!

I believe having something tangible like these bracelet can bring a needed dose of hope and inspiration to the hearts of parents and grandparents who are missing their beloved kids and grandkids.

It is also a reminder to pray for them continuously.

We give them Roots and Wings!

I have added a touch of “empty nest” as well as giving them “wings” idea to the design by adding a sweet bird with nest charm. The featured medal is of the Holy Family of Nazareth and on the back of the medal is an image of a Guardian Angel. Each bracelet also has a crucifix and a Miraculous Medal.

No two bracelets will be exactly alike because I will place the colors in various different places on the bracelet and might add slightly different silver spacer components.

As well, I’ll be designing a couple of more “Roots and Wings” bracelets very soon so that there will other options for those who do not prefer such a “dazzle dazzle” colorful design with these larger beads.

Delivered to you…

Each bracelet will come to you in a gift box with a prayer card. I have composed the novena prayer that is on the back of the card that you see here in the photo above.

Here is just one more “Roots and Wings” design, a smaller beads.

I have added a touch of “empty nest” as well as giving them “wings” idea to this design as well, by adding a sweet bird with nest charm and two sweet silver bird components near to the slightly hammered style silver toggle clasp. The beads are sapphire blue glass combined with ceramic blue and white flower pattern.

The featured medal is of the Holy Family of Nazareth and on the back of the medal is an image of a Guardian Angel. Each bracelet also has a crucifix and a Miraculous Medal.

What think ye?

They are available at my “Bracelet Shop” for your purchasing options.

Giving the “best of my heart.”

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
2

Pope-Francis-Dove-3x2-555x370

In his March 11 general audience, Pope Francis recalled the encouraging holy words from his grandmother.

“I still treasure the words my grandmother wrote to me on the day of my ordination. I carry them with me to this day inside my breviary,” he told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

The text reads, “May these my grandchildren, to whom I have given the best of my heart, have a long and happy life, but if on some painful day, sickness or the loss of a loved one fills you with grief, remember that a sigh before the Tabernacle, where the greatest and most august martyr resides, and a gaze at Mary at the foot of the Cross, can make a drop of balm fall on the deepest and most painful wounds.”

IMG_2771

Donna-Marie with her beloved grandmother and two of her five brothers

I am very grateful for the love and guidance of my own grandmother who was indeed a holy role model to me. I speak about her in many of my books. Hopefully, some time soon I will write more about the role of grandmothers in the lives of their grandchildren. And, that’s not because I am about to become a grandmother soon!

But, for now, I want to at least bring attention to Pope Francis’ grandmother’s poignant words. May all Christian parents and grandparents reflect on this beautiful sentiment and ask themselves, “Am I giving the “best of my heart” and setting a holy example for my children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews with my words and actions?

[You can see an article here.]