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Kelli and her mother Walterine's glasses

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Kelli and her mother Walterine's glasses

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Framed photo with dried flowers, stethoscope, jewelry

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Charms and necklaces, including Ellen (the name of Barri’s mom) and the pendant that contains sand from the beach on the day Ellen died

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Charms and necklaces, including Ellen (the name of Barri’s mom) and the pendant that contains sand from the beach on the day Ellen died

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Lucite tape holder that belonged to Gwenn’s mother

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Lucite tape holder that belonged to Gwenn’s mother

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This pin cushion belonged to my maternal grandmother (Pau Pau). Pau Pau moved her family from Hong Kong to New York City in the 1960s. With the help of relatives, she and my grandfather opened a Chinese laundry at 307 E 71st Street on the Upper East Side. Hard work and sacrifice helped them achieve their American dream of buying a home in Queens.

She died when I was 5, and I mostly remember her through photos and stories. And when I'm sewing!

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The letters stand for Barri, Emma, Alex, Quinn and Rocco (the dog). Commissioned for Barri and her husband’s 10th anniversary.

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NY Giants pennant and Yahtzee from Julie’s wife

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NY Giants pennant and Yahtzee from Julie’s wife

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Creative Prompt: If you were to curate an exhibition about your loved one, what would you choose to display? *Share a photo of a meaningful object or tell us a story of one!*

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Creative Prompt: If you were to curate an exhibition about your loved one, what would you choose to display? *Share a photo of a meaningful object or tell us a story of one!*

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IF YOU BROUGHT A MEANINGFUL OBJECT TO PAUSE EVENTS IN LOS ANGELES TO BE PHOTOGRAPHER, WE WILL UPLOAD THE IMAGE IN THE WEEKS AFTER THE EVENT.

You retain the copyright and existing ownership of your words and any images you upload.

The Grief Gallery / Charlene Lam may use the object you share as an example in future talks or other creative works, in general terms and without identifying details. For example, “one time, a griever shared ice skates as their meaningful object.”

If you have questions or want your submission edited or deleted after the event, please contact hello@charlenelam.com

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Here's the story behind The Grief Gallery and that key question: If you were to curate an exhibition about your loved one, what would you choose to display?

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Welcome to The Grief Gallery with Grief Coach Charlene Lam

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Learn more:

The Grief Gallery - for exhibitions and art
www.thegriefgallery.com

Charlene Lam - for grief coaching and resources
www.charlenelam.com

Instagram ​​https://www.instagram.com/curating_grief

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thegriefgallery

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Pin cushion made from plastic ice cream cup and sponge.

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This homemade pin cushion belonged to my great aunt (Yee Pau). Yee Pau was a seamstress in Hong Kong. Widowed at a young age and forever haunted by childhood poverty in China, she worked in sewing factories when she came to the US, and was a member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.

She spoke a different dialect of Chinese, and we struggled to communicate. But when my mom and I would visit her at the senior home, she always offered me an ice cream she’d squirreled away from the cafeteria.

She died about a dozen years ago. In her apartment was an industrial sewing machine, and boxes of notions and textiles. The homemade pin cushion is hers: Crafted from one of those plastic ice cream cups and a piece of sponge.

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This is My Melody and her lamb friend whose name I don't remember! They're Hello Kitty's friends. These plastic figures  are from my childhood. My family didn't have a lot of disposable income when I was growing up, but my mom would buy me these adorable Sanrio toys. She spoke about never having toys when she was growing up in Hong Kong, so I think she enjoyed being able to buy them for me so I could have the childhood she didn’t have.

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Two items here: My sisters jacket and quilt from my best friends mom who passed away.

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Two items here: My sisters jacket and quilt from my best friends mom who passed away.

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This was an item I kept from my sisters closet when she died. I see it as a symbol of her holding me. I try to feel her when I wear it and it provides me comfort when I miss her and need her a little extra. The quilt was made by my best friends mom who passed away. I'm honored that she gave her time and thought I was worthy enough and a part of their family to make it for me.

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This photo has stayed by my bedside for as long as I can remember. I have always said that if my house was on fire this would be my most cherished item I would grab. I love how she is holding me and represents how she was always a protector of me.

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My mom kept this small plastic photo frame (it used to have a magnet on the back) in her cubicle at work. I don’t know what it was about this particular photo or moment that was so special to her — maybe she just liked how she looked 🙂 I now keep it on my own desk and pack it when I travel, so I can keep her memory close.