So hard to believe it has been 20 years since we started our service in memory of our big sister Susie. (She is the one furthest to the right)  There were days that the pain of loss seemed unbearable. Our service, Dulaya Memories, has been such a blessing as we have lived through the grief.  Just couldn't imagine at the time of her passing that anything positive could come from her death.  

Still miss her smile ... but will see it again someday! 

Do you say Merry Christmas?

Just read this recently -
                      "The most important part of Christmas is the first 6 letters"

Love this!  That's why we do say "Merry Christmas" -not Happy Holidays!

How do I say this?

Dad has passed on.  There, I said it.  He died last month after 84 years of life.  He was faithful, smart, and oh, so colorful (in a truly interesting way)!  He loved the service that we created in memory of Susie.  He, along with Mom, have always been such great support and cheerleaders.  

These last years I often said that he was a young man trapped in an old man's body. He still had many, many ambitions but his body was so worn out and weary.  

I miss him.  

If your Dad is still here on this earth, why not give him an extra squeeze today or a quick call to tell him you love him. 

If he isn't, take heart, heaven is awesome, we will all be together again, and it is gonna be great.  

And Dad, say hi to Susie for us... I love to imagine that reunion.  

We Really Want to Know How We Are Doing!

This is a survey that we created for anyone who has used our memorial gift service in the past 19 years!   When we started in 1994 we carried just framed Christian sympathy art.  Now we offer memorial blankets, sympathy garden stones, wind chimes, memorial crosses, memorial jewelry, canvas art for sympathy gifts, memorial photo frames, sympathy and memorial candles, along with our framed memorial art.  A lot of things have changed through the years - one thing that has not changed is our dedication to providing a high quality sympathy gift and expression that will last long after the flowers have been discarded.  What a blessing this service has been in our lives!

Please click on this link to answer 8 short questions!  Thanks so very much. 
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6NLB3P8

We get such beautiful thank you notes.  Just in case you can't read this here is the text:

"I can't thank you enough for helping people know they can depend on you business anytime in need.  Your beautiful picture was the true focus at this large funeral.  Everything was flowers or cement sayings for out doors.  It truly was beautiful.  I appreciated you thoughtfulness in giving it at the cost I had on my folder.  Very appreciated.  I told folks to call me for information.  Many blessings in all you do.  Lovingly, Jean"

We have never met this lovely woman face to face.  She has called to order from our service for many years.  We are so blessed by her note and so many others from wonderful people who visit www.Dulaya.com or phone in to order a lasting sympathy gift. 

Express Heartfelt Sympathy in a Unique (and Memorable) Way

"Send a gift that speaks from the heart..." Don't we all want to be express our heartfelt sympathy when someone loses a loved one? What if you just don't want to send the traditional flower arrangement for a funeral or memorial? We started our unique sympathy gift giving service with a focus only on framed art, but realized along the way that a sympathy gift can be given in many different forms and styles. 19 years later we offer memorial jewelry, photo frames, sympathy blankets, wind chimes, angel statues, crosses, candles, memorial poems, and garden stones along with our inspirational art to send when a truly personal expression of sympathy is desired. We have a file folder full of thank you notes that we have saved and treasured. A line from one of most recent notes: "Your beautiful picture was the true focus at this large funeral." How blessed are we to serve those who wish to show honor and respect with a "faith-filled" gift from Dulaya Memories!

Wow...it has been a long time since we have posted anything.  To help us get back on task we will be adding weekly to a list of why selecting the right sympathy or memorial gift is so important.

Wouldn't we all agree that losing a loved one is the most painful experience anyone must endure?

With this in mind, a lasting memorial gift creates a subtle reminder of a loved-one.  In our own experience, when Susie died we found that we had to keep was a basket or container from the flower arrangements.  People were so thoughtful and loving but I would surely treasure a lasting sympathy gift such as a cross, throw, wind chime, or framed inspirational art sent to us at that time in her memory.  But since there just wasn't a service like Dulaya Memories at the time of Susie's passing I will cling to my little basket that sits on the top of my refrigerator.