This is a love story of sorts. One I’ve been longing to share with you, but hesitating, as it still hurts my heart. I pray it reaches into your souls, as it has ours.
About four months ago, my friend Michelle called my husband at work. He manages a large craft and hobby chain store. Do you have buttons…she asked? What kind of buttons, Michelle? Big bags of buttons. Yes, just come on by and I’ll fix you up.
Later that evening, I received a call from hubby. His voice was not normal…and I could tell he was shaken. Do you know where your antique buttons are, he asked? Ummmm …. I can find them. How many do you need? Just a few, he replied. Tell me what’s going on. Here is a paraphrase of what he shared:
Michelle and her oldest daughter are in my store. She wanted to look at the buttons, so I took her to the craft buttons. She and K were looking at them and I asked~ What kind of project are you working on? Silence. It’s kind of morbid, Michelle laughed. She went on to share that her cancer was now stage four. And while she was not giving up the fight, she was preparing for her funeral, just in case the worst happened. She wants to be sure that each person that comes to her service leaves with something from her. Something that they can feel and be reminded of how she touched their lives. When she tells me this, I start bawling and the three of us are huddled and consoling each other. Right smack in the middle of the button aisle. So I asked Michelle~ Would you like some antique buttons, too? She loves that idea, to have some extra special buttons to share with her daughters and close friends, so she’s coming by to see you when they leave here.
I hang up the phone and with little time to compose myself, I gather the buttons and have them waiting on the kitchen counter for Michelle and K’s arrival. I have TONS of buttons. When I was a little girl, buttons were my entertainment when I was supposed to be taking a nap. My button collection has grown quite a bit over the years. I pulled out a handful that I wanted to keep for my kiddos, and sent the rest with Michelle. Before she left, she went through each of my buttons that I had set aside. She slowly touched each one of them before placing them back in the old fruit jar and sealing it. As I walked with her down the sidewalk that night, she reminded me that she was going to keep fighting the cancer. I reminded her that I wanted every single button back.
She took those buttons home, plopped down, and spent a long time going through them. She touched them. She kissed them. She thought about each person that might be holding one some day. She was determined to put herself in each button. She laughed later when she told me how much time she’d spent doing that, and how her hubby couldn’t believe she was taking so long. Michelle was following her heart…..
On December 22, we received the dreaded call. We rushed down the sidewalk to their home, and spent the next few hours praying, crying, and sharing Michelle stories while bent over her bed. To hold the hand of a loved one in life and in death changes you. I believe that somehow you are bound forever.
On the day of Michelle’s memorial service, there, on the center front table, was her big old bowl of buttons. As each person left her service that evening, they chose a button to take home with them. These were Michelle’s buttons of love. Of remembrance. Buttons to remind us to be nice to others, to stand up for ourselves and others, to rescue animals, to love our neighbors, to take time to know God, to live life to its fullest, raise our children right, and to feed the fish every day. Smile. These were her buttons of love and of life.
I can’t think of a better love story than this.
If you ever come to my house…..I’ll have a button for you. Sitting in a big old bowl on the table, by the front door. Sharing Michelle’s love and ours…..just like she would have wanted.
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stuff i tell my sister 
Lovely and sad, great story, sniff!
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Wow! This is a truly powerful post that moved me to tears. She must have been such a wonderful person to be thinking of everyone else at a time like that. She is the type of friend you will never forget!!
An unbelievable person….we miss her so much. ♥
Beautiful!
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Wow!!!! This is beautiful… Thanks for sharing this wonderful post with us and Happy Valentine Day to you
Thank you so much. ♥♥♥
You are welcome 🙂
This is just too good a post… I’ve emailed the link to two people we know with terminal cancer, I’m sure this will cheer them up and give them something to think about…
Thank you, Bulldog ♥ Prayers of hope and healing for your friends ~
What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing. And what a lovely idea for people to remember you by.
Thank you ♥
Reblogged this on Life After 50 and commented:
This is a beautifully written post from a fellow blogger in honour of a dear friend. What a wonderful, simplistic gift to have left those she loved.
I love it! what a sweet and cute story, she will forever be remembered in everyone’s fondest memories 🙂
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At a loss for words, but thank you (heavy sigh).
Me too. ♥ ♥ ♥
Very touching story.
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What a beautiful, loving story.
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One of the most beautiful stories of love and friendship I’ve ever read. She sounds a very special woman Paula…you are blessed to have loved her. As I tearfully think of what those buttons meant to her and now mean to you, I can only wish that one day my friend, there will be a very special button amongst my most precious things. Love this and love you for sharing it. xoxo
♥ love you, Rhonda ♥
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I am so deeply touched by this story and by your extreme kindness Paula! You are such a sweet soul, both you and Marvin! I am sorry your friend passed, but what a legacy of love and kindness. Thank you for sharing. I just wished that I had read this before I put my makeup on.
Thank you again for sharing this beautiful story!
Michelle has left a big hole in the hearts of many. But isn’t that how we all should live our life? To be missed when we part this world? We were so blessed to know her. ♥
As I am you! 🙂
I love my button….and you ❤
Back at ya, friend ♥
This story moved me to tears. How beautiful, how sad … such a touching tribute. I don’t think I will look at my button collection quite the same way again. Thank you for sharing.
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Such a powerful and heart wrenching story. Thank you.
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What a gift God has given you. Your story of friendship/love with MIchelle was meant to be shared and He has made sure that you are able to do so. I am so sorry for the pain that envelopes you right now and know from experience that it takes a long time to go away. I too lost a dear friend to cancer and it just sucks! (Not so blessed with the gift – lol)! Love you friend and hope you have a lifetime full of button remembrances!
Thank you Christi, for your sweet words. I am sorry for your loss as well. Michelle’s button story was difficult to share….but shows how much she was always thinking of others. Miss her so much♥ hugs ♥
She was amazing, the best friend and “second mother” anyone could have ever asked for. Happy Valentine’s day Michelle.
This is an amazing story of my best friend. It brought tears to my eyes. You are an amazing writer Lady. Thank you for sharing this. She was an amazing woman who was loved and cherished by many.
Oh..what a beautiful story 🙂 Thank you for sharing this…and I’m going to do the same….share it with others. A little of Michelle…out into the world through your button story! 🙂
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
SAD STORY…BUT WORTH EVERY SYLLABLE…ESPECIALLY TODAY!
Thanks so much for posting this. Michelle was an amazing woman, mother, wife, friend and “other mama”. I have my button too, I wear mine on a large lobster claw clasp so I can clip it to everything. I miss her so much. Happy V Day Michelle. We love you.
Yes Maggie, amazing in every way. And so much fun. How lucky we were to love her. ♥
Who would have known you could put so much love in a button! I don’t think I’ll ever view buttons again without thinking of this sweet story of love & friendship.
She put so much thought into doing something for others….just in case. I’m with you, Jeannette. Buttons have a new meaning in my life now. ♥
I know what you mean about being changed forever…I was with my brother as his breathing began to slow, with me hand on his arm…he rebounded, but left us just a day later. I felt honored to be with him in our early lives and at the end of his life. Such a wonderful post.
Hugs to you ♥
:). Thank you.
I cried 😦 that is a beautiful story..
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My button goes with me everywhere. I love this story. Brought tears to my eyes & I can see her sitting there kissing everyone’s buttons, one at a time. She is sorely missed.
Paula…now I understand about the red button. Isn’t it strange that we both were thinking about buttons at the same time? This was such a moving piece….tears abound.
XXOO
Thank you so much for your sweet gift, Delores. The timing could not have been more perfect. hugs ♥
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I love her everyday from now to the end of this world😥she has my heart in her hand up in heaven. She blesses me everyday and guides me to be a better person .. I love you , your girls, and your hubby xoxo I will be forever entertwined
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Paula, this is such a heartbreaking yet beautiful post. You’ve moved me to tears. Your friend was remarkable. And you and Marvin were good friends. I love you, dear friend.
How blessed we were to know her. Love you, my friend ♥
Such a cute story! Suddenly, I feel all mushy inside! Hope you had an amazing Valentine’s day! 😀
A touching story with life lessons for us all. My mother’s button box was an imaginative place with treasures to be touched, counted, matched and arranged on a rainy day. I have her buttons, as well as the buttons from my grandmother. They are treasure for my sister Nancy and myself. Thank you for sharing this lovely story… sue
womenlivinglifeafter50.com
Awww….the buttons box. I can truly relate to what you are speaking of. Sweet, sweet memories. ♥
It’s a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. 🙂
Appreciate you ♥
This is a very powerful story … and beautiful. You through me with this story … I remember as a child how I loved buttons too – I loved looking through my grandma’s box where she had all her spare buttons.
In Gothenburg is there a shop that only sell buttons, thousands of them, and ribbons. It’s like coming into a candy store.
How wonderful you described your love and her love ….
I would love to visit this button store you speak of. 🙂 Michelle is missed everyday. So near to our hearts.♥
I understand that you miss her – the shop is called Knapp-Karlsson = Button-Karlsson (Karlsson is a Swedish surname) the shop has been around since 1910 and it looks the same since 1945, the same interior.
It sounds nostalgic and like a place I would love to visit~
Welcome to Gothenburg, a city you would love.
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What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it!
I’m compiling an anthology of non-fiction stories that are heart-warming, full of love and kindness, and inspiring. To me, this post falls into that category. If you’d like to have this or other stories you’ve written be considered for inclusion into the anthology, please contact me at russtowne.com for details.
Thank you.
Russ
Thanks so much, Russ. This was a tough one to share as it is still so fresh and close to my heart. I will contact you for more info. Appreciate you. Paula
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❤ So glad you were there~soooo glad you shared. Thank SO much ❤
I miss Michelle so very much….she’s been heavy on my mind. Bless you!!!
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Reblogged this on stuff i tell my sister and commented:
Happy Valentine’s Day to each of you!!! I could not think of a better post for today than “Buttons of Love”. Those of you who have been kind enough to hang around “Stuff” for a while know all too well the story of my friend, Michelle. If you are new??? Then here is a portion of her story. Michelle’s five year old spent an afternoon with me this week….and while we watched “Frozen”, she sat in the floor sorting craft buttons. She also informed me that her mama’s favorite color is green. Smile. So I am thinking of you, Michelle. And so are your babies. ♥♥♥
This means so much.
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Paula, this a true love story – buttons of love. I loved it the first time I read it. In a months time I have I lost two very special people in my life … to cancer. It’s a rough illness, but sometime it gives mercy too – like it did for me.
Thank you for re-reading, V! I am so sorry for your losses. And yes….you are right♡♡♡
My mother’s big button box was a source of wonder and adventure for a rainy day when I was young. Loved the picture and the memory it raised.
womenlivinglifeafter50.com
Mine too. It kept me occupied many a time. 😉
This is perhaps one of the most beautiful stories I have read recently, thank you for sharing. I also have a collection of buttons, most of them inherited from my grandmother. I am going to find a lovely jar to put them in to display..each time I look at them I will think of you and of Michelle and the love she shared with those who knew her…and the love she continues to share through this story.
For Michelle to be thinking of each of us before she passed …..well that just shows what kind of heart she had. I agree…buttons have a much deeper meaning now. And so many folks have these special collections! Appreciate you and your kind words. paula ♥
Dear Paula,
What an amazing story–had me in tears. What a beautiful thought, to send each person home with a love token. I shall do the same. Thanks so much for sharing this.
I still miss Michelle! I carry my button with me everywhere I go! ❤️
Always in our heart♡
Pingback: Buttons of Love | stuff i tell my sister
Powerful story. I was touched by your inclusion of rescue animals in your reminders of how we should live. Several times a week I send up a prayer of thanks for the people who rescue animals. May your heart be comforted by the warm memory of her friendship.
Thank you, my friend. You know a true kind soul when you see them save kitties, and turtles crossing the road, and helping neighbors locate a missing pup. Her heart was gold. May we all learn and be better because of her witness. Blessings on you♡♡♡
Oh my! I love this! I miss her soooo much! She was my sister! My friend! A wonderful mother! And sooo much more than I can gather words for. Ow.. xoxo thank you for this!
I know you do, Angee. She thought the world of you and spoke of you so often. We no longer live down the street from their old house. So that daily reminder is gone….but I saw a butterfly day before yesterday…and silly as it sounds, I said hi to her. 🙂 Hugs to you♥ Paula Blaxton