For the last few years, I have collaborated with blog readers on a public art project called the Winged Messengers, where positive messages are written on the front of painted, paper winged envelopes and are then left in public places for strangers to find. It is so interesting to learn afterwards why a participant chose a particular location and who they were thinking about when they left their winged messenger there.
In August, I received an email from a wonderful woman by the name of Peggy Wilson who requested several winged messengers for her family. What happened afterwards is both moving and uplifting.
August 2011
Dear Susanna,
My 40 year old niece, Karri, passed away in March from breast cancer. Her birthday is coming in September and I have been thinking about it and how I can help my family remember and celebrate it.
As sad as it is to lose her, she was an amazing young woman and I want to celebrate her life and encourage her children – well, all of us – to pay it forward in her honor by posting the winged envelopes in our hometowns, too.
Peggy
* * * * *
In the following months, Peggy and her family did just that.
* * * * *
October 2011
Karri’s dad, my brother, sent the picture of the kids in the tree fort holding the winged messenger. A. looks like a young Karri in this picture. Gives me goose bumps (and tears) every time I look at it.
Karri’s husband, Scott, daughter A. and son J., flew from Phoenix to LaJolla on Karri’s birthday and placed theirs in LaJolla Bay where they scattered her ashes.
Karri's mom, Romy, placed this on the front door of her dear friend who was diagnosed with brain cancer a few months ago.
[My] brother Mark resides in Florida and on his travels to Tucson, placed his on the pedestrian bridge at the Starr Pass Resort. It’s a beautiful view. Karri and her family lived in Arizona.
My daughter, Jessica, carried hers around with her, in and out of her car. Saturday, she was running her regular ½ marathon training route past her elementary school and noticed the marquee had changed. Karri was an elementary school teacher. Jessica finished her run then went back to place her winged messenger on the marquee.
Karri’s Aunt Debi, my sister, placed hers at the shelters in Dubuque, Iowa. (Teresa Shelter provides a safe place for all women and children who find themeselves homeless due to circumstances beyond their control. Hillcrest Family Services provides a variety of services in the community, including homeless outreach.)
Like Karri, Debi was a school teacher, too. I think teachers just have this inane sense about people – what makes them tick, what they need to hear from you and how to talk to you kindly even when the message isn’t kind.
Karri’s brother, Rob, [didn't take] pictures but he placed his in the rest rooms in his office building full of financial companies in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
I knew I would place mine at a restaurant. Karri LOVED to go out to eat. And during a very lengthy wait at my favorite St Louis Bread Co drive through line, I had time to hop out, post my sign, take a picture and get back into my car to applause! I sat in my car and cried, too.
Thank you, Peggy, Terry, Scott, A., J., Romy, Mark, Jessica, Debi and Rob. I'm absolutely moved by what you all did in Karri's memory, for one another, for this project.
To read more winged messenger stories, please check out Susanna's winged messengers under categories, in the sidebar.
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