NASA, Cassini, and the "Big Picture"

At 21:27 GMT (that was 9:27pm EST) on July 19, 2013, you were photographed. That's right, you were caught on film. It was a photograph for the history books in fact. July 19, 2013 was the day NASA pleaded with all of humanity (or at least the earthlings) to turn toward Saturn and give a wave. The Cassini spacecraft snapped a picture of the gas giant with its icy rings and earth creeped into the frame to make a very small, very distant appearance.

Reminiscent of the "Pale Blue Dot" photograph captured by the Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1990, the Cassini photograph from outer space is another "big-picture" reminder to us humans who so often lose perspective. In the midst of day to day activities, it can be difficult to see past our own noses.

HEAR THIS: The message here is not one of the insignificance of life, it is the exact opposite! The message here is about taking a moment to realize, even in a massive universe, a space so deep and wide the planet Earth resembles a speck of dust in a photograph taken from Saturn, even then, individual lives still matter. People are capable of grand accomplishments, intimate relationships and leaving legacies that will last longer than bodies ever will. 

It's all about perspective, and when we get just a glimpse of how small we really are, we can realize how amazing it is to still be able to leave a legacy. Just as important as leaving a legacy is helping others do the same. It is imperative to remember what our loved ones stood for, believed in and accomplished during his or her short time on this planet and to recognize the importance of a life on this "Pale Blue Dot".

 

Welcome to Love Ashes, a place where we cherish the ability to carry on the legacies of our loved ones. We have been short on blog posts lately, but are making an effort to reach out again in an attempt to help lighten the load during the darkest times. Feel free to leave us comments on topics you would like to see appear in this space. Suggestions are more than appreciated.

A Return With More Love and More Ashes Than Ever Before…

Throughout the years I’ve come into contact with hundreds of people who have told me how much my jewelry has helped change their life, and I must say, watching and listening to people come out of their grief and remember their loved ones with joy has been a real blessing. I honestly couldn’t be happier. However, the work doesn’t stop there.

Over the past couple months, we at Love Ashes have taken some time off to restructure and research new lines, but after spending a few months vigorously researching new jewelry making techniques, restructuring the entire business, and preparing my new lines of jewelry, we are back! And from a strong urge to bring more beauty and love into the cremation jewelry process, I am beyond ecstatic to present my new, unique lines in the Love Ashes collection.

From the ashes of our families’ loved ones to the bright color in each piece that brings the dearly departed back to stunning life, one of our new lines has dazzled our customers with its uniqueness and beauty: our Ring Line. I’ve always felt that the nicest thing about rings is they are a wonderful accessory that can complement other jewelry and a person’s overall style. However, over the past couple of months I have been tirelessly perfecting my skill, and from what people have been telling me, it really shows.

I can recall one woman in particular who was stricken with grief over the loss of her beloved mother, and she needed something completely unique that could properly represent the long and extravagant life that her mother lived. When she told me that her mother’s most prized possession was a wedding ring that she had lost long ago, I knew exactly what it was that I must do.

After a couple of weeks I presented my ring to the woman, and as tears of joy and remembrance of her mother built in her eyes, she told me that it was the finest work that she had ever seen.

It wasn’t a high end ring that cost her thousands of dollars either, as some cremation rings from other companies can cost grieving families thousands of dollars. Our rings, along with all of our new lines, perfectly blend an affordable price with supreme quality.

Although I use the finest glass and specialized techniques to hand-craft each ring over a grueling five day process, the look of pure happiness this woman gave me reaffirmed my passions that Love Ashes has been, still is, and always will be about the joy that we are able so spread, and never about the price.

At that moment, I know how valuable my affordable Ring Line and all of my other new lines can be to those affected by the loss of a loved one.