A Hat Gift From The Great Beyond
Hello Everyone, I’m sorry to have not written sooner. Times are so strange and my mind is alternatively full and empty of thoughts and the idea of trying to condense the ruckus in my brain into words has felt daunting.
I also have a habit of wanting to talk about everything and then I overwhelm myself to the point where I can’t begin. But today I thought, one story, tell one story. So, that’s what I will do.
Last September my dear friend, Brian Davis, left this world with a bang. He had ALS and fought like the dickens (and won) to be able to donate his organs. Apparently his story reached far away places and I am told has set some new standards for organ donation. Anyways, Brian used to like to roll up in his wheel chair and tell me about how much he loved every last thing he was able to do. Seeing someone face death with such grace was one of the most inspiring experiences of my life.
He really loved this hat that I made for him. He sort of became a champion of my garden hats. His daughter Becky fell in love with the hat, so he bought one for her and he left the one on his head to his son. One day, maybe a couple of weeks before leaving this earth, he wheeled up my driveway. I came out to see him and he handed me a fist full of cash. He said, ” Anna, Susan’s birthday is on May 23rd. I want you to make her a hat like this and give it to Susan on her birthday.” Susan is his wife. I choked back my tears and promised him that I would not forget. I immediately put the date in my iPhone calendar, so that I wouldn’t forget. For months this request sat like a weight on my heart. Seemed like a huge responsibility to deliver a gift from the great beyond.
Time ticked on and the date drew closer. I made Susan’s hat and when May 23rd arrived I walked across the street and knocked on Susan’s door. When Susan came out, I said, Happy Birthday. This is from Brian.
Her reaction was pretty much what you would expect. She loved the hat, held back tears and we talked about Brian and gardens and dogs and bees… After a while she said, Anna, I have a confession. Today is not my birthday…..I said, what do you mean? I wrote it down right away. Did I mess up the date? She said, no, Brian could never remember my birthday. Today is his sister’s birthday. Mine is next week. We both cracked up and praised Brian for being consistent even in death. What a beautiful man, maybe not one for dates, but he had a heart of gold.
What a wonderful story
What a lovely story, Anna, Thank you for sharing it. I respected and admired Brian even more after observing his steadfast integrity while at work for all of us in the town Council. The story is wonderful and it was wonderful that his hats brought tears and joy. Thank you so much. XO Sharrie
That’s such a heart-warming story, Anna. I was lucky to meet them as ‘The Happy Hedgehog’ when Brian was still doing fairly well and they were looking for some extra help. What lovely people.
Thanks for this beautiful story about a beautiful man. Brian really was a big hearted soul. He secretly came over and fixed our broken wooden stairs up to the house on Duke Street. I came home from work one day and they were fixed. I instantly knew exactly who fixed them and tried to pay him, but of course he wouldn’t take our money. We miss you Anna and of course Brian and Susan. Sending big hugs from us to our special neighbours both there and beyond.
Lovely story of a wonderful person who made the best of the life he was dealt. We can all learn from Him. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story. Be happy you have such lovely memories of your friend.
🥺🥺nice story!
A wonderful story beautifully shared with a sweet smile at the end. It has made me more understanding of my husband who often forgets my actual birth date.
Mine does as well.
Wow what a touching story made me cry even facing his thoughts were about others he sounds like such a nice man how cute that he never got her b day that is such a horrible death sentence you brought hi such joy I haven’t had any time to your emails because I got a call to have major surgey on my foot got call we’d had it first thing Monday Marne have 4pns in all toes bot baby on they had to break bones on top of foot loosen tentens in toes I had big toe done this time last year bot toes wouldn’t move over so here we are glad it’s done best Dr and so well cared for had it done in Windsor hospital mon at 7 am glad it’s done but very painful 9 to12 month recuperate no dancing for me or tea party this year but still want to buy hat you had ion in video think it was called Morgan hat an you tell me the price for it and I will pay for it and you can send in mail to my home I an really house bound for sure now lol I’mstill interested in fancy hat for summer I can send you a pict of one or you can show me some ideas I like fastinators too look forward to hearing happy hat day to you 👛👑👒👒👜🎒🌺🌸
Hi Heather, So sorry to hear about your foot. I wish you a speedy recovery. Do you mean my Margaret hat? If so, those ones are listed on my website here….https://www.hatjunkie.com/product-category/organic-jersey/. I can make it many different colours.