As I passed by the Christmas decorations inside our home, noticing the wreath on the front door needed new batteries, I thought about the second Wreaths Across America Day my husband and I had just volunteered at a few weeks prior. I wondered how I might make some type of wreath to commemorate all the 40 veterans who we had had the privilege of honoring the past two years.
I have dabbled in craftiness but it is not my favorite activity. My mother-in-law was crafty and had no problem recruiting me into her Craft Boot Camp. “You Will Do It And You Will Like It” is what the t-shirt for the camp would read. Funnily enough, she never got me involved until after my vision loss. I realized even then she was trying to help me by showing me I could still do things. Against my will.
I decided to look online for a fake wreath of some kind, one with a foam ring base that I could stick pins in. I found this wreath at The Lakeside Collection, (click here). Then I bought Avery 5329 Mini Business Cards, 1″ x 3″, from Amazon, (click here), printed an American flag on each card with the name of the veteran and the year that we placed a wreath for them. I contacted Wreaths Across America to request a few tags that are attached to the wreaths given to us to lay. I affixed each side of the tag to the red bow on my faux wreath.
The above photo is the end product. I left room for future names to be added. Mister Rain was all for me leaving the wreath up all year. I didn’t, instead purchasing a wreath storage container to keep it safe. I have no doubt it will make an appearance before Christmas, as remembering our brave men and women is not just for the last month of the year. It brings me great joy to know that friends will have the opportunity to read the veterans’ names when in our home.
Sister Rain Craft Boot Cam will never come into existence, however, we are so fortunate that Wreaths Across America has.
Previously published:
Wreaths Across America – The Day
Wreaths Across America – The Person
Wreaths Across America – The Essay
#sisterrain #alittlesightalotofheart #legallyblindwriter #ushistory #arlingtonnationalcemetery #wreathsacrossamerica #wreathsacrossamericathecraft
